travelling in Asia. Some people may say 'cultural differences' but I
still say 'yuk/aargh!'
Most of these hazards don't apply to Japan (unless otherwise stated),
which is the least Asian and most Western of the Asian cities we have
visited. So this blog mostly covers: India, Thailand, Cambodia,
Vietnam and China, all of which were brilliant places in their own
right and so as a disclaimer I will acknowledge that a lot of the
hazards are down to different economic circumstances and I apologise
in advance for the massive generalisations I am about to make, but I
need to vent....
1. Seatbelts - only drivers deign to wear a seatbelt in Asia. As a
passenger you are lucky if there is even a seatbelt installed. This is
especially galling considering how terrible the driving is (see 6).
This may also be true in Japan although cabs are too expensive to find
out! Indian cabs deserve a special mention - they really are tin cans
on wheels. I half expected to have to put my feet out of the bottom to
get it moving.
2. Spitting - although spitting is common throughout Asia the Chinese
are the undisputed champions of this. The spit is long, loud and
productive. You will have to step around it all over the pavement.
They have the right idea in Singapore where it is illegal.
3. Pushing - as a well brought up English girl I know how to queue.
The Asians don't. Not only that but they like a good shove too, which
can turn an innocent activity like picking up something from a
cloakroom into a traumatic experience. The Indians and the Chinese are
best at this with a special mention to the Japanese on the subway.
4. Squat toilets - why??????? Unhygenic, filthy, uncomfortable and
everywhere. Like something out of the stone ages.
5. Don't flush the toliet paper - ok so maybe some countries don't
have drainage which can cope with toilet paper down the drain but is
an open bin next to the toilet really the answer? The things people
put in there are beyond belief. Disgusting!!
6. No hand towels - this one is limited to Japan, where very few
toilets have any way of drying your hands. I think this is to bolster
the market in novelty towels which you can buy everywhere (I have an
Astro Boy one now). Hygenic but inconvenient.
6. Traffic - another cliche but it is true to say that driving or
being driven in Asia is quite an experience. Even in the places with
traffic lights and lane markings these are pretty much ignored. At
least in Vietnam and Cambodia it is only mopeds heading for you, in
China you have to avoid the cars!
7. Taxi drivers - this one includes Japan. Taxi drivers in Asia never
know where to find your destination. At the very least having the
address written down is imperative and sometimes a map or even the
phone number of your destination (so the driver can get directions) is
necessary. I have a new found respect for London black cabbies.
8. Pestering shop owners/hawkers - a famous cliche about Asia and it
is not as bad as the guidebooks make out. You just get used to it
after a while and master the art of a firm no and head shake. The kids
are actually the worst and the most persistent - not had their spirits
broken by years of tourists saying no yet?
9. Service - limited to China which is not a country which delivers
service with a smile (not universally of course -the hotel staff were
pretty good). You could put it down to the lack of tips, but this
isn't a problem in Japan and there is often a 10% service charge added
to your bill in China so I don't know why service is so lacklustre (it
is better in London - really!)
A worrying number of these appear to be toilet related. Not quite sure
what that means.
Yours in grumpiness,
Lilly Gallafent
Islington, N1
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