Failure to Assimilate

From late-night cravings for a soda, to scanning a share bike to get to a friend’s house, the convenience of China is one of the biggest draws to me. 　

Recently, I went out with someone who has lived here for six years and said they have never used an ordering app in Chinese for food or anything else for that matter. I couldn’t believe it. 

While I don’t speak or read Chinese, I can still navigate these apps with ease. This particular expat said that they came from a time where “if you wanted a soda, you had to go out and get it.” But why would I do that when I can have it delivered to my door in a matter of minutes? 　

There are many expats I have met that have not adapted to so many of the things that make China special, even the food. I have come across those who literally eat McDonald’s for almost every meal and haven’t even heard of some of the most common Chinese dishes. 　

How could you live in Beijing for years and not try Peking Duck? I almost feel sorry for them in a way because they are missing out on so much amazing cuisine. I guess there is a reason they had to open a Burger King outlet at the Great Wall. 　

One bit of advice I was given when I first decided to move abroad was that the worst thing to do when moving to a new country is to compare it to where you came from, as it will likely only cause you stress. 　

However, for me, I find the comparisons only make me happier that I live here. If I need wrapping paper for my gifts, I just type it into Ele.me, and it will be there inside 20 minutes. A car, train or plane ticket – just a few taps on my phone screen and a fraction of the price as back home. 　

In addition, the cost and convenience have allowed me so much freedom to do more activities I could never afford back home. 　

Just this Thanksgiving, my friends and I put together a Friendsgiving. We wanted it to be a classy affair, so we rented tables, chairs and settings for 24 including wine glasses, plates and silverware. We even ordered chafing pans that could be heated to keep our turkey and sides nice and warm all feasting long. 　

The total for all of this delivered and picked up the next day was a mere 1,200 yuan (US$188). The price for that back in the US would probably be at least four times as much. Plus delivery and pickup? I think not. 　

I have also really enjoyed apps like Dianping. I have found pod movie theaters for two where you can bring your own food and drinks and pick from hundreds of titles in their catalog (whose licensed content status is anyone’s guess). 　

It would be hard to find or book these types of services without knowing your way around the app, or at least putting some effort into translating and figuring it out. 　

I don’t know if people are lazy, scared to try or just incapable of realizing that they are selling themselves short on their Chinese experience. 　

But I feel if I could give any advice, it would be to just try it! Get on those apps and check out their features, even if you have to take screenshots and translate. 　

We are living in the digital era in one of the most convenient places on earth. While there are many English-based apps for food and even being a middleman to help you order on Taobao, you are spending extra money that you could save to do even more fun stuff. 

　

Don’t waste another minute living in the past, the future is now. And it doesn’t involve any walking.