On a visit to China, one should be ready for the unabashed stares as they keenly watch foreigners but there's no malice or insult in those looks. They merely want to learn. Everything new amuses them. Perfect copy cats, they can imitate almost anything.
They like to stay in groups for support but they have strong sense of personal interest. It's based on the instincts of survival. Long years of one child policy has produced many who have no siblings or cousins. Being a single child of parents, who in their turn, are single child in their parents household, means not learning to share. They have to look after themselves.
Getting ahead is a big desire. There's a lot of pressure to succeed and make room for themselves in an overcrowded country. Jabbing and elbowing is common in a society that lacks the basic training of getting in perfect lines and respecting others' rights. Pushing through crowds is a general practice, necessity and habit.
All this does not mean that they rush or run. They work studiously at a slow pace. It's the secret of their success. They don't have much, so they set small goals and get happy at every little achievement. A habit of continuous effort means steadily moving forward. They succeed, taking small steps at a time and hence go a long way. Relentless in their pursuits, they never give up. Lack of exposure gives them a focused thinking. It's easy for them not to get distracted and lose sight of their set targets. Secretive is their nature but they recognize the strength in unity.
Obedience is their training but they can find loopholes to rebel behind curtains. It's very difficult to ever judge what's in their minds as they are experts at hiding their true feelings. They keep to themselves and hardly ever start the conversation with unfamiliar faces. They appear shy but it's not modesty. It's self consciousness. They are extremely sensitive to National image that emerges from a strong sense of patriotism.
Over all, they are very simple people who are learning to enjoy the outside influences. They are eager to learn and embrace. Fun loving, hard working humans. They are humans just like any other Nationality. What makes them different and sets them apart is their unique traditions, history, culture and heritage which is changing rapidly due to influx of foreign exposure and influence.
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