我在中国上海生活了两年。想知道中国到底怎么样尽管问吧。 [美国媒体]

I've lived in Shanghai, China, for 2 years. Ask me about what China's really like.

我在中国上海生活了两年。想知道中国到底怎么样尽管问吧。





mynameistoast
How was the food?
​
那里的食物怎么样？

Desmond_Winters
Chinese cuisine is highly diverse. "Chinese food" is North America is not in any way representative of the thousands of varieties of food around China.
One of the most interesting aspects of cuisine here is that each region, city, sometimes district, has their own "specialty" food. So it really depends on where you go. Shanghai's specialty food are called Xiao Long Bao, which are steamed dumplings that contain soup. Northeast China is known for its rice, places like Xuzhou have specialty dog leg (I didn't eat any), Yangzhou has its fried rice, Lanzhou has its "la mian" noodles, the list goes on.

中餐是非常多样化的。北美的“中餐”完全无法代表在中国各地的几千种不同的风味。
关于烹饪，这里最有趣的方面是每个地区、每个市、有时候每个区都有自己的“特产”食物。所以食物上怎么样真的要看你去哪里。东北的大米很有名，像徐州这样的地方特产有狗腿（我没吃过），扬州有炒饭，兰州有“拉面”，还有很多就不一一列举了。

mynameistoast
What took you to China?

你为什么去中国？

Desmond_Winters
Various reasons. Some personal, the majority professional. I felt myself stagnating and wanted to move to a place very far away to start fresh. I am fortunate that the circumstances at the time allowed me to come here with relative ease.

因为各种原因。有的是个人的，主要是因为工作。我当时感觉很郁闷，想去一个很远的地方重新开始。我很幸运，当时的情况能让我相对轻松来到这里。

Cr4zyC0113ct 3 
What's China really like?

真实的中国是什么样的?

Desmond_Winters
Probably a lot different from what you'd expect, especially if most of what you know about China comes from Reddit or Wikipedia!
Cities like Shanghai and Beijing are much like bustling American cities. Shopping, eating, leisure, pleasure, you can find anything you want here if you know where to look.

可能跟你想象的很不一样，特别是如果你对中国的了解都来自Reddit和维基百科的话！
像上海和北京这样的城市非常像繁华的美国城市。购物、吃饭、休闲、玩乐，只要你知道上哪找, 你想要什么都能找到。

Cr4zyC0113ct 
So, is China like Asia America?

所以说，中国就像亚洲版美国？

Desmond_Winters
I don't know what you mean, but sure, let's call it that.

我不知道你是指什么，但是没事，就这么说吧。

Cr4zyC0113ct 
I mean that an American going to China might feel more at home than expected, because of the similarities between the two countries. The differences are obvious and numerous, but the similarities are enough to feel a little bit more comfortable.

我是说一个美国人去中国的感觉可能会比想象中的更亲切。

Desmond_Winters
Oh. Yes, absolutely. This is especially the case if you live in a central area of a top-tier city. Many businesses in those areas employ bilingual staff possibly to account for the rising number of expats and tourists coming over. Their English isn't great, but it's acceptable and communication isn't a problem. You won't feel like a fish out of water.

欧，是的，当然。如果你住在一线城市的中心区域的话就更是如此了。可能是考虑到越来越多的外国人和游客到这边来，那些区域的很多公司都会雇佣会两种语言的员工。他们的英语不是很棒，但是可以接受，沟通不是问题。你在这不会感觉像是离开了水的鱼。

Cr4zyC0113ct 
I've always wanted to travel the world. Kind of like those travel shows but not really with the cameras all around me. Just a one man trip, seeing the sights and experiencing things that I've never had the opportunity to see in person, but thousands or even millions of people have already. I want to see everything that the world has to offer. I'm very interested in learning more about how people do things, if that makes any sense.

我总是想环游世界。有点像是那些旅游节目里那样，但是我不想有镜头在我面前晃来晃去。只想一个人的旅行，看看风景，体验一些我从来没有机会亲自见识的事物，但是成千上万甚至千百万人已经体验过了。我想看看这个世界所有的事物。我对了解别人怎么做事很感兴趣，如果这事有任何意义的话。

Desmond_Winters
Travel has expanded my horizons in ways that no movie, website, book, story, whatever else could ever do. Since I've been in Shanghai I've traveled across China and also to bits of SE Asia as well. It's a humbling experience and totally worth every penny. I highly encourage you to find time and go somewhere random, somewhere you'd never think to go.

旅行已经拓展了我的视野，这是电影、网络、书籍、传说、无论什么都无法提供的。自从我来上海之后，我游遍了中国，也去过东南亚一些地方。这些经历会让你感觉多么渺小，花的每一分钱都是值得的。我强烈建议你找个时间随便去哪都行，去一个你从没想过要去的地方。

Cr4zyC0113ct 
The biggest problem with that is finances. I live on very low income, so making travel arrangements can be kind of risky. Maybe if I become a camera man with the Travel Channel? Or National Geographic? That would be pretty cool.

最大的问题是钱。我靠很低的收入生活，所以去旅行的话可能有点冒险。也许如果我成为摄影师在旅游频道工作呢？或在国家地理杂志工作？

window5 
Are bookstores common in China? Are they allowed to sell Western titles?

书店在中国普及吗？他们让不让卖西方主题的书籍？

Desmond_Winters
They're everywhere, which is refreshing to see. Most sell fakes but you can't tell the difference anyways. There were a ton of Western titles available.
One place I went to sold books by weight. You grab the books you want to buy, they weigh it on a scale like you're at the grocery store, then slap a price tag on it. Never seen that before.

书店到处都有，看起来很让人很醒目。很多书店卖盗版，但是反正你也分辨不出来。这里有大巴西方主题的书籍。
我去过一个地方书是论斤卖的。你挑好你要买的书，然后他们把书放称上称，就像你在杂货店一样，称完在上面贴个价格标签。以前从来没见过。

microwave_head 
Are they all bad drivers?

他们全是糟糕的司机吗？

Desmond_Winters
I'd actually argue that they are better drivers due to the chaotic nature of the traffic situation here. Of course, it's silly to generalize any population based on a few outliers.
With scooters, bikes, and pedestrians going every which way, often recklessly, drivers have to be extra careful here. If an accident happens, 99% of the time the police will find the car driver liable.
Another interesting thing is that cars don't really stop to let you past, they just slow down, driving to within a foot of you, never stopping, until you eventually walk past.
So in that sense, if you're on foot (scooters and bikes are treated as "on foot"), you can afford to do so recklessly because the car driver will be held responsible, and everyone knows it.

由于这里的乱糟糟的交通情况，我真得说他们是更好的司机。当然，基于几个个别的例子来概括任何群体都是愚蠢的。
这里的摩托车、单车和行人经常乱闯，司机们必须格外小心。如果发生事故，交警99%会认定是汽车司机的责任。另一件有趣的事情是汽车不会真正停下来让你过去，他们只是减速，开到离你不到一英尺（30厘米），从来不会停，直到最后你走过去车也一直在动。
所以在这种思想下，如果你是行人（摩托车和单车被当做“行人”对待），你可以乱闯，因为汽车司机是责任方，大家知道这一点。

cd943t
How well did you learn the language?

你的中文学的怎么样？

Desmond_Winters
I am Chinese-Canadian, my mother tongue is English but I'm also fully fluent in Mandarin.

我是加拿大华裔，我的母语是英语，但是我也能说流利的普通话。

cd943t 1 
Could the locals tell that you weren't raised there from your accent, mannerisms and understanding of local customs, or are you fluent enough that they thought you were one of them?

当地人能否从你的口音、习俗和你对当地习俗的理解看出你不是的本地人？还是你的中文已经流利到让他们以为你跟他们一样是本地人？

Desmond_Winters
I have a very slight accent when saying certain things, but otherwise I can blend in. I'm certain my mannerisms are different, but I've never been called out on it because Chinese people are so polite (generally).
Growing up in a Chinese family I more or less already understood the customs around dinners, social events, stuff like that, especially if there are elders present. I find it a bit challenging hanging around young Chinese from my generation because I simply don't understand their slang and references.

除有些事情我说起来有轻微的口音，其他的都没人能看出来。我确定我的习俗不一样，但是从来没有人指出来，因为中国人好有礼貌（总体上）。
自小在一个华人家庭长大，我或多或少已经懂得了关于吃饭、社会活动、等事情的风俗，特别是我们家还有长者。我发现跟中国的年轻人聊天有点挑战性，因为我简直就不懂他们的俚语和典故。

window5
are there many single family homes like you see in American suburbs?

那边有没有很多的独栋房子就像你在美国郊区见到的那样？

Desmond_Winters
They exist, but those types of homes are only available to the super rich. Shanghai suburbs are also quite underdeveloped, so even if you live in one of those luxurious houses you're still surrounded by construction, dust, and long empty streets. Even those who would be considered very wealthy likely live in apartment buildings.

有独栋房子，但是那样的房子只是为超级有钱的人提供的。上海郊区也是没怎么开发的，所以就算你住在一栋最豪华的房子里，你也是被建筑、灰尘和又长又空的街道包围着。就算是那些被认为很富有的人可能也住在公寓大楼里。

window5
Why are the Chinese so docile in terms of demanding their government respect human rights? 

为什么中国人那么顺从，不要求政府尊重人权？

Desmond_Winters
No one ever talks about it. Ever. It's not something that you do talk about under any circumstances. I like to think that everyone knows what's going on, especially younger Chinese, but it's not something that's discussed.
But it's not like they live here in a state of oppression. Society is quite liberal, just avoid topics that have to do with the government.

从没听人聊过这个。从没有。 这不是那种在任何聊天中都会谈论到的话题。我认为大家尤其是年轻中国人心里都明白，但这不是大家会讨论的事情。
但是他们不像是生活在压迫之下。社会相当自由，避免讨论有关政府的话题就行了。

window5 
I cannot be completely critical of this. In the US people talk about politics way too much.

我没资格完全批评这一点。在美国我们讨论关于政治的话题太多太多了。

okmansomebtcplease
I am SO tired of hearing about politics that sometimes I want little more than to just "boil over".

我好烦总是听别人聊政治，有时候我不想只是对他们"发飙"一下就放过他们。

window5 
Is a Chinese citizen allowed to travel from one part of the country to another without permission? Can they move and take up residence anywhere in the country?

中国公民能否未经授权就从一个地区去到另一个地区？他们在国内可以随便搬去哪里定居吗？

Desmond_Winters
Yes. If you have a Chinese ID ("Shen Fen Zheng") you are free to travel as you please within China with no restrictions. I'm also quite sure you're able to move and live anywhere you please.
This actually brings up an interesting topic for students which is not related but I feel like talking about:
There is this thing here called "Xue Ji" which lacks a proper translation because it's not a concept in North America. Roughly translated it means "student status".
Basically, if you come from, let's say, Hunan, you have Hunan "student status", which allows you to attend schools in Hunan province. If you were to move to Shanghai and want to attend Shanghai schools, you'd be forbidden because you don't have a Shanghai "student status". I could be wrong, but this only applies to students going to grade school. I think Universities don't have this stipulation.
Moving is sometimes inevitable and for the kids that means they have to find a private school. Private schools are usually expensive and their curriculum is slightly different than what you'd find in a public school. There are of course regulations in place to ensure that adequate education is provided.

是的。只要你有中国的身份证，你可以自由地去往国内任何你想去的地方，没有任何限制。我也很肯定你可以搬到任何你想去的地方定居。这又勾起了另一个有趣的关于学生的话题，虽然跟你的问题无关，但是我想谈谈：
这里有种叫做“Xue Ji”的制度，我不知道该怎么翻译,因为在北美没有这个概念。粗略的翻译就是“学生身份”
基本上，比如说如果你是来自湖南的，你就有湖南“学籍”，这让你能够在湖南省上学。如果你要搬去上海并且到上海上学，你就上不了，因为你没有上海“学籍”。可能我说的不对。不过这只对小学有效。我想大学没有这个规定。
有时候带小孩搬家是不可避免的，就是说他们不得不找个私立学校。私立学校通常很贵，而且他们的课程跟公立学校的不一样。当然，他们有适当的制度保证社会能提供充足的教育。

window5 
Is there a national income tax? Are citizens guaranteed a retirement pension from the government? Is there government provided health care?

那儿有国民收入所得税吗? 政府有没有对公民的退休金提供保障？政府有没有提供医保？

esmond_Winters
I'm not a Chinese National so I'm not entirely qualified to answer this. As far as I understand there's some form of income tax, deducted from monthly salary. Totally clueless as far as pension and healthcare goes, sorry.

我不是中国公民，所以我完全没有资格回答这个。据我所知，他们有某种形式的所得税，从每月工资里扣。我完全不知道退休金和医保是怎么运作的，对不起。

window5
Are women forced to have an IUD inserted in them after their first child? An Chinese-American friend of mine was telling me recently of a Chinese woman he was sleeping with. She told him they did not have to use a condom because she still had the IUD that was implanted in China.

女人在生完头胎后要强制上避孕环吗？我有个美国华裔朋友说最近他睡过一个中国女人。她告诉他不需要用避孕套，因为她在中国时上的环现在还在。

Desmond_Winters
I've never heard of anything like that going on and I'd be extremely surprised and appalled if it was in fact happening. It probably isn't. That woman likely had one implanted cause she wanted it.

我从没听说这这样的事，如果这是真的的话，我对此表示很意外很吃惊。很可能不是真的。那个女人可能是自已想要植入避孕环的。

Desmond_Winters
Well that's very interesting. I'm not a woman nor have I given birth so I guess I'm not qualified to comment on this topic either. But like I said, I've never heard of this before.
Then again, it's a single article posted by an American publication. Take it with a grain of salt.

好吧，这很有意思。我不是女人，也没有生育过，所以我猜我也没有资格对此作出评论。但是我说过，我以前从没听说过这样的事情。
还有，这只是单单一篇美国媒体发布的文章。还是对它持怀疑态度吧。

CookingCake
What's your thoughts on China's censorship rules?

你对中国审查制度怎么看?

Desmond_Winters
It's the way it is. There are easy ways to work around it and there are also equivalent alternatives. Being a foreigner used to using Facebook and Youtube it may seem weird at first, but then you start to realize how convenient things like Wechat and Alipay are. It's nowhere near as oppressive or inconvenient as many people would have you believe.

它就是人们看到的那样。人们很容易适应它，这里也有很多替代品。作为习惯了脸书和油管的外国人刚开始可能会觉得很怪，但是然后你就会开始发现像微信和支付宝这样的东西多方便啊。一点都没有感觉到压迫和不便，不像有的人让你相信的那样。

ziggirawk
Are The Higher Brothers as popular domestically as internationally? Does the government do anything to prevent citizens listening to rap or obscene music? Are Chinese clones of Toyotas as good as the original?

Higher Brothers在国内有没有像在国际上那么火？政府有没有做任何事情阻止公民听Rap音乐或靡靡之音？中国山寨版的丰田车比得上原版吗？（译注：Higher Brothers是成都的四个男孩组成的说唱乐队，在国内被称为海尔兄弟）

Desmond_Winters
No idea who The Higher Brothers are, sorry. The fact is that rap isn't very popular in China. Maybe it's because of the language, maybe it just hasn't caught on. Love songs are very popular, the rest are considered as noisy and annoying, including rap and rock, electro, etc.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with Chinese automobiles. They get you from A to B. They work fine if you take care of them, just like any car anywhere. It's all about how much you pay for the car.

不知道谁是Higher Brother,对不起。 其实rap在中国不是很流行。也许是因为语言的原因，也许是还没有发展起来。情歌很受欢迎，其他的歌曲被认为是噪音很招人烦，这类歌曲包括Rap、摇滚、电音等等。
中国的车是完全没问题的，可以把你从A地送到B地，如果保养好就没问题，就像其他地方的车一样。你花高价就能买好车，哪里都一样。

ziggirawk
I wasn't dissing the cars. I just know there's a big industry of Toyota/Honda/Nissan clones and wanted to know if they were better or the same.
And I expected that. I think with asian pop/rap it tends to be absurdly popular everywhere except home country.

我不是贬损中国的车。我知道中国有很大的山寨产业，山寨丰田、本田、尼桑，只是想知道这些山寨车是不是比原版更好或一样好。
我早有预料，我认为亚洲流行或说唱音乐总是在别的地方莫名奇妙的火，在他们本国却红不起来。