Some fifty years ago there were the “ugly Americans”. And then the “ugly Japanese”. People refer to the poor image of the tourists traveling around the world and upsetting some locals with their lack of taste, manners and respect for other cultures. Now it seems we have the “ugly Chinese”. Asian countries are not exactly amused and some colorful stories go around what certain countries write on “welcoming signs” to keep the barbarian Chinese at a distance. The Chinese press of course found it a good topic, on one hand feeling offended but on the other hand explaining to their fellow country men (and women) that spitting, jumping waiting lines, talking too loud and other not-so-nice attitudes were detrimental to the image of the Great China. Of course here in Beijing, meiyou wenti with that, go ahead, who cares.
Shanghai has woken up – as usual way ahead of Beijing – and is trying to educate its citizens (yeah, 2010 is coming). Just imagine, those poor Shanghainese are not even allowed to jaywalk, they even take pictures of them if they do and post it in public or at their workplace.
In Beijing, maybe due to the horrendous pollution and heavy smoking, all Pekinese have mucus-filled throats that need very regular and VERY loud cleaning. Anytime, anywhere. Hey! What you want those unlucky sufferers to do? Swallow it? We westerners really have those stupid ideas. The authorities here tried (since 1980 as far as I know) to abolish the habit. So they took away those beautiful spittoons (I was so damned stupid, should have stolen some, those bronze ones were just great). So now, they just spit anywhere. Maybe in 20 years, due to the undue pressure from the bourgeois western world they will change.
But there are other REAL “ugly Chinese” and here jokes or sarcasm are not really welcome.
I am talking about a new generation of locals who just believe they are above all the rest, they look down on their (poorer) fellow citizens and certainly those dumb foreigners. They are typically rather young, drive (very) expensive cars, drive them badly without any respect for traffic rules and others. They are dangerously arrogant and aggressive. They burn lots of money everywhere, especially in restaurants, karaoke bars and discos. After parking their cars in the middle of the road – of course. They treat the waiters and other service people like, well, you guess. Don’t ask where the money comes from – certainly not from hard work. As the rule here seems to be, you have money, you are above the rest and all goes, well oiled by some “special guanxi”. In other words they think they are untouchable – and probably are.
Those are the real ugly Chinese, a shame for the country. Because most Chinese are certainly not like that. This class is also fairly new. I cannot recall anything like that existed in the eighties or early nineties. For me they are the (new) cancer of the Chinese society. As far as I know – I might be wrong – it seems to be typical of Beijing and some other cities, but less in Shanghai.
No use for a foreigner to stand up against those tugs. Anyway, a foreigner here in those circumstances is by definition wrong. So, beware of them when you go in the Beijing nightlife. After some Chivas Regal with green tea they become even more dangerous.
It is up to the other majority of friendly Chinese to take action. I will even allow them to clear their throats if they feel like.
You think I am overly negative and frustrated? Maybe. I just hope you don’t bump into them. But I miss the old China with the friendly people.

You can just wonder what are all those special stones on the walkways. Well, they are supposed to help the blind people. Pity all people with disabilities in China. The State Council just announced last week a “formula of hope”, a five-year program, for all Chinese citizens with disabilities. There is certainly a need. Access to buildings for the handicapped is mostly incomplete and the special ramps are more than often blocked. Not to wonder you don’t see many handicapped people on the streets nor in office buildings. I just wonder where they are. Chinese people have a tendency to “hide” those people, I have the impression they still feel they are not a good image if shown in public. Companies even feel it is not good for their image to employ people with disabilities. In my own building I could never employ or receive people with disabilities – there is simply no elevator.
As for the special guide stones on the walkways, forget about them. The strips mostly lead to nowhere and are blocked by cars parking on the sidewalk, vendors or as pictured here, by bikes. Nice to have bikes, Green Beijing. But not for the blind.
Xinzhong Street, Dongcheng District. One of the many examples.
How will Beijing do during the Olympics? Maybe they can invite the press at some “show case segments” where it looks all right. But in the majority of the walkways, it is simply a no-go.
I really hope the new initiative of the State Council will not be limited to lip service.
On the other hand, the special tiles are a good idea. Must say, never seen this in Belgium…

On 27 April the ambassador Bernard Pierre and Mrs. Karin Pierre graciously organized a reception in the Belgian embassy to welcome Prince Laurent and Princess Claire.
Being exiled for so long in far away China has its perks – chatting with people one normally never meets. I had the pleasure to have a vivid conversation with the Prince and Princess who were both very relaxed. It was the second time I met the Prince, exactly in the same room not so long time ago.
Our discussion was of course absolutely confidential but Helene’s partner was recording it all.

Gilbert, the Belgian Ambassador, the Prince and Princess – Gilbert & Helene