Wow! laotou I am flattered that you say I've had the good fortune to meet a myriad of "refined" people. You are partially correct because my friends come from all walks of life refined (whatever that means) or not and regardless of ethnicity. But if Pamela Anderson had a cold sore in my presence...you can be sure the cold sore would be the furthest thing on my mind. All depends on one's perspective. She happens to be my laoxiang...yes, I am a laowai who has lived in China for 10 years. Specifically I came to China to learn about traditional culture and yes it does exist. What we as outsiders see is only what we see but what we see is not necessarily what it is. Why do Chinese spit? Well, perhaps it is because they don't feel like hacking up a huge wad of pollution and swallowing it. Much like how we wouldn't pick our nose and eat it. Make sense? Cutting in line? Fairly simple...remember... not that too long ago the Chinese people were starving and were given food stamps for cabbage and buns. So, there are a zillion fathers in line all wanting their children to live. Personally, I would do more than cut in line to ensure my children were fed. Anyway, my point is that China has gone through alot on many levels that the "refined" people have no experience whatsoever to truly understand.

Bucko you made a booboo assuming that I was Chinese. Care to refine your post? Or shall I being to pick apart your comments? i.e. "Why not take advantage of the laowai here and open yourself to learning something from them? You Chinese want to be free and open to the world?"

I mean come on mate...your statement is has all the markings of holier than thou attitude. My response to that would be...why don't you take advantage of your good fortune of being in China and learn something from Chinese? You Laowai (U.S. people) want the whole world to know that you are not as arrogant and presumptuous as you portray don't you? This statement is especially amusing "if you ever get a chance to actually visit another country, you would be more aware of just how these "bad habits" really stand out about Chinese people." Again my response. Given the fact that I have traveled to many countries. Well, to be frank, I am aware of many "bad habits" which really stand out about many countries. Let's say the U.S. again. Constantly creating wars only to make excuses to invade other countries under the premise of "freeing" the people and liberating them from backwardness. Ummm...Cultural genocide and maybe that not so valuable stuff called oil and resources? I dunno just took a stab at that one. Forgive me for not better articulating. Said too much as it is. Just for the record I have many friends from the U.S. whom I love and adore.

First of all who is rude, inconsiderate, backward and prejudice? Just the Chinese? It seems to me that all of the above is part of the human condition. Even then that is all predicated on one's own values and beliefs mixed with whatever fucked up social and cultural upbringing.

Furthermore, this gaoxing character pretty much embodies rude, inconsiderate, backward and prejudice. Sounds like missionaries here to teach the "barbarians" about what is right and wrong. Lest the laowai forget....you are all guests in China. Don't for one minute think that you have any right to embed yourselves into another culture (very much like a parasite or cancer) and preach about your cleanliness of soul and righteousness. A quote from that funny little black book to ponder :"Who shall cast the first stone?" Anyway, if you don't like China then go away. Problem solved (for you that is).

Good to know and nice suggestion. A thousand and one thanks Wocca.
As the saying goes, "One act of kindness...".

A thousand thanks lovemycats.
Have a great day!

I have total respect for whatever accomplishments he may have. However, his quote stemmed from what? I have seen many a foreigner come and go here in China. They either love it or hate it. 90 percent of the time the hate was racist or the inability to adapt. So, the guy painted a wonderful picture of his experience. You'd think at that age and being a world traveller (according to his fan) there would be a tiny bit of understanding, tolerance, and compassion. Blame the whole country because things didn't go according to his standards. Tis' unfair is it not? Please bring him back to enlighten the Chinese people on how to be a model person like himself in their own culture. I stand corrected, he is a talented musician with all do respect but still an ignoramous. By the way, anger would correspond with the liver. As for my career...so far so good. Thanks for the positive note. So, what is with the heating situation in Kunming anyway? Peace.