How Do You Spell Napkin? Hint: It's not K-L-E-E-N-E-X

As a nation, China has some idiosyncracies that I have never seen anywhere else. I guess all nations have their own cultural biases but I'm only sensitive to the Chinese ones right now. Chinese people and institutions seem to insist that kleenex and toilet paper serve the exact same role in personal hygiene as the paper napkin. Read it again ... understand the problem?

Time and time again, I find myself making do with kleenex when what I really need is a nice, strong napkin. Those of us with a 5 o'clock shadow know that using kleenex to wipe your face usually results in a pile of shredded paper (and a dirty face, to boot). There is a reason that a paper napkin is built differently from kleenex tissues.

I've tried to make this apparent to the locals I head out with but their initial stare is usually one of complete bewilderment. They'll say, "But there's already tissues on the table." After a bit of explanation, they'll look at me with a tentative,"Oh... I guess I see." Anyway, please do what you can to help the situation. I've shredded enough tissue paper on my face for one lifetime.

Here's Looking At U...rinal

While living in the United States, certain architectural design decisions are so common (and common-sense) that you never even notice them. Why would anyone do it differently? I don't know about why, but as for where these designs are violated, just come to China.
The ladies in the audience may not be aware of this issue but trust me, all the guys will understand. I don't know how many times I've been at a urinal in China, looked up and found myself watching people as they move past the door while they have a full-body view of me. In the worst instances, you lock eyes with someone and just can't seem to pull yourself away (I guess the same could be said of the person on the outside).
When designing a bathroom, one of the first rules is to make sure that the urinal area is not visible from the doorway. In China, it's merely a design suggestion because I've been in old buildings, new buildings, swank buildings and run-down buildings that have not realized how important this is. Again, am I being a prude? Is this really not a big deal?

Long Skirts - Give 'em the Slip

Women's fashion... Always interesting but not always pleasing. I've started to become a little more sensitive to fashion in Beijing because (I think) I see so much more. I also am forced to wonder sometimes how much of the fashion I'm seeing is China and how much is just current across the world. What's current is not interesting here and you can read about it anywhere. As for China, on the other hand, I've noticed a few things that are here year after year.
I vaguely remember some controversy in the early 80's regarding Princess Diana and some long dress that she wore without a slip (don't bother searching on Google for it, she apparently had lots of dresses and they were all in the news for one reason or another). A picture of her with the sun at her back revealed the full extent and shape of the legs underneath (horrors!).
In Beijing, I am continually surprised at the settings in which women will wear a dress without any other layers. To tell you the truth, it's very distracting. :) You'll see women walking by and not only can you tell their physical fitness levels through the dresses, you also are privy to the style of undergarments worn. Again, no complaints from me, I just think it's a public safety issue. I was recently at a wedding and I kept doing double-takes as the bridesmaids walked down the aisle. It's not even an exhibitionish/nightlife thing because it happens at any formal, business or just about any other event. It's not limited to the young and beautiful either (this, I object to).
So ... is it just me? Did I possibly not notice this change in fashion while I was in the United States (yeah, right)? Is it all of China, all of the Far East or just Beijing? Am I betraying my upbringing by even brining this up?

Zhi Ma Kai Men - Open ...

Zhi ma kai men - Literally, means "sesame open door". Figuratively, it means "open sesame." Not much more to say about it except; How cool is that? It's a direct, literal translation of what Ali Baba used to gain access to the treasures of the theives he ... huh ... stole from.

Usage (while standing in front of a door and waving your arms like a magician): Zhi ma kai men. (Open sesame)