If you had to rate your overall experience as a foreigner in China (and in Kunming), would you say that it has been positive, or negative?

I would say that my experience has been overwhelmingly positive. What an amazing country! I have experienced so many amazing people, place, sites, culture, food, languages...I never thought that I would be able to see this much of the world, but I have, and I am so thankful for it. What about you?

Along with your experience maybe you could say how long you have been in Kunming and China.

I have been in China for several years, and in Kunming for about two years. You?

I find the food and culture bland and barely average. Today I watched one of the local amazing people wipe her baby's filthy poop encrusted rear with a dirty diaper then toss it arrogantly on the side walk though there was a trash bin about ten feet away. I guess that is known as one of cultural difference that give the dump its charm and they probably do it in America too. it was definitely overwhelming. Appetite ruining too. I rate the place higher now that they have a Burger King and Subway sandwich shop. Finally some edible food. Not that crappy rice noodle stuff only a person with no knowledge of cuisine would enjoy.

I am thankful that I can come to forums like this read stuff by people like Matt Miller to give me fresh perspective. If not I would have gone back to my own country long ago in search of happiness.

How far Matt has fallen to have to carry on conversations with himself in these forums. I find it rather insulting that he clutters our forums with his bs

zhudan and tallamerican, what are you saying? Are you saying that I am "Matt"? Sorry, but you are wrong.

And you say, "talking to himself," do you mean that both goldie and I are the same person? lol geez, a little paranoid-delusional there.

I have had great times here too. I have seen many wonderful things and met wonderful people. But overall, the violence, aggression, social laziness, carelessness and cruelty overpasses all the positive aspects.

What upsets me sometimes is, that China could be the most awesome place on the planet, if people would actually start to care, about little things in daily life [as a start].
There is no reason to blame it on the government and society. The beauty of this place in their own hands, unfortunately nobody seems to care.

Dudesons, I understand what you mean to some degree. There are things here that Western culture would find "negative". I personally that almost all things are purely cultural, but I do understand what you mean.

I do not personally see those "negatives" as you do, i.e. pervasive and intense, but I do understand what you mean.

There are some things that are hard to take here... like animal cruelty and the general disgusting bad habits of people (spitting, kids urinating and pooping like the world is their bathroom, blatant littering even when trash cans are everywhere and parents don't care).

But it is quite child friendly and fun to find new places to explore. People are nice and non-violent.

@Dudeson... what violence and aggression have you experienced here?

goldie, I personally do not care about spitting, peeing, and pooping. Chinese medicine teaches that it is unhealthy to hold things in, and that is actually true. And litter? Heck, I have seen worse litter in parts of New York, Chicago, and Cincinnati.