Jamie

Weinstein

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July 18, 2008

Avoid Public Toilets! An Olympic Visitor’s Guide to China

On August 8, the Games of the XXIX Olympiad will begin in China. Most of the events will take place in Beijing, but travelers to the games should surely take the opportunity to travel to different parts of China during their visit. Since I am just a year removed from my own visit to the country, I thought I would offer some tips and advice to those who are making their first journey.

First of all, American travelers may be happy to know that the only image more prevalent than that of Chairman Mao throughout China is a fried chicken-serving American Colonel who goes by the name of Sanders. If you are obsessed with KFC fried chicken, you will be happy to know that the Chinese are as well. Everywhere you turn you will find this nice reminder of America and of capitalism.

If you are an exotic eater and are itching to get your hands on some dog for dinner, you too are in luck. Like Korea, dog can be found on the menu of many restaurants throughout China. I doubt, however, most readers of this column find the prospect of eating dog appealing. There is good news for you as well. Understanding Western sensibilities and wanting to leave a positive impression on Western tourists, the Chinese government has taken man's best friend off the menu at all of its 112 official Olympic restaurants. But for the more adventurous among you, I am sure if you travel off the beaten path you will be able to taste a little bit of Rover – though I wouldn't encourage it.

While I am spending a fair amount of time discussing culinary confections, there is good reason for it. When Americans think of Chinese food, they think of their favorite local Chinese restaurant. Don't be fooled. Real Chinese food often bears little resemblance to American Chinese food. It is worth going to a neighborhood farmer's market to see the diverse types of things that pass for food in China. If you don't throw up or contract bird flu, you will thank me for suggesting the experience.

If things haven't changed dramatically in the one year since I was there, one of the first things you'll notice once you deplane in Beijing is the thick coat of pollution that pervades the air. It may make you wonder how the world's best athletes will be able to compete at peak performance in outdoor events. You'll have to provide me the answer to that question. I'm still baffled by it.

The public toilets in China will surprise many Westerners attending the Olympics. And by surprise, I really mean horrify. Chinese public toilets are very crude and often possess a hole where one would expect to find a typical Western flush toilet. Unless the Chinese government is splurging for the Olympics, you should also expect to bring your own toilet paper. If you extend your Asian journey to include Japan, you will see a crystal clear contrast between a developed country and a developing country. In the Tokyo airport, for instance, restroom toilets are such a stunning technological marvel – with more gadgets than you could possibly believe – that a tear may very well come to your eye.

True, you may develop tears in Chinese public restrooms as well, but this will be for an entirely different reason. It is hard for me to accept that a country with holes posing as toilets is on the brink of global dominance.

Any trip to China would be incomplete without a visit to Shanghai. Shanghai is unbelievable. It is like New York City meets Las Vegas. In my mind, it is the most architecturally stunning city in the world, though I should stipulate that one of my friends who actually knows a thing or two about architecture tells me “New York City meets Las Vegas” is not a particularly celebrated combination among architectural aficionados. But I am not an architectural aficionado and I suspect that you too will be knocked off your feet.

Don't forget during your time in China that it is still a totalitarian country. Despite opening up economically, it remains a closed system politically. While over time this will hopefully change, China continues to oppress segments of its population (sometimes brutally) and buddy up to unsavory regimes around the world from Sudan to Venezuela. Though it may be imprudent for ordinary visitors to shout this truth from the rooftops during their visit, hopefully American athletes will take every chance they get to hammer home China's poor human rights record to the media every opportunity they get.

So enjoy your time in China. The people are very friendly. Remember to avoid public toilets if possible. If you have a weak stomach, eat in your hotel. Be sure to visit Shanghai. And always, always remember that no matter how grand the show China puts on, its government has much to do before it should be respected and honored. 

Let's go USA!

© 2008 North Star Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.

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