When heading to China, whether for a visit or to live abroad, there is a certain amount of misinformation that one will inevitably encounter. While every country endures their fair share of stereotypes and outright lies, it seems as though China is particularly ripe for the picking (on). Moving to this country for any extended period of time can be particularly confusing: What to believe? What to shrug off? Take a look at some of the most commonly posited “truths” and see exactly which ones you can ignore with confidence.

1) Cross cultural relationships never work
Granted, there are certain cross cultural relationships that raise less eyebrows than others (an aging foreigner with a well-kept young Chinese woman attached to his arm is so common in big cities like Shanghai and Beijing that there’s nary a stare), but there are plenty of examples of Chinese men and women falling in love with, and marrying, their laowai partners. So if you meet someone from China who tickles your fancy, don’t automatically think that your chances of romance are doomed.

2) Everything is cheaper
“Oh, you’re moving to China? I’ve heard everything there is sooo cheap! You’ll live like a queen!” I can’t tell you how many times I heard that (or some variant thereof) from people before I moved here. So imagine my shock when I came and – surprise! – there were quite a few things that were not cheaper… in fact, they were ridiculously more expensive than back home. Of course, this depends on where in China you move (my adopted city of Shanghai is one of the worst price gauging culprits) – obviously smaller towns are going to have cheaper prices. But it also depends on where you’re moving from. Those from New York City will mostly be pleased, even with Shanghai prices, while those hailing from more modest cities may encounter sticker shock.

3) Your status as a foreigner will automatically open doors for you
Living in a Chinese town where you’re one only one of a handful of foreigners may, indeed, have you feeling like people will bend over backwards for you – novelty is quite a powerful trait. But while it may help you get the best seat in a restaurant, don’t expect your role as foreigner to make your life in China a breeze. I like to think that most people don’t even consider this as an issue, but years of experiencing obnoxious laowai hordes who act like they’re entitled to everything just because they’re from another country has sadly brought this phenomenon to my attention.

4) It’s not important to learn Chinese because everyone speaks English
This is incredibly not true if you’re living outside a major city in China, but it also applies to those living in the major metropolitan hubs. Granted, it’s much easier to find people who speak English in Beijing or Shanghai, but for everyday transactions at the grocery store, the convenience store, the local hardware store… you’re going to encounter people who don’t know a single word of English. And if you don’t know a single word of Chinese, you’ll be forced to depend on hand motions and miming – which, while highly entertaining, is not the easiest way to go about a business transaction. So buck up and learn at least a few phrases of Chinese – your cashier will thank you.

5) It is impossible to find good Western food
While this certainly may be true in rural villages (if you can find any Western food at all), China as a whole has a staggering array of impressive – and delicious – Western food. From Chan Yan Tak, who became the first Chinese chef to win three Michelin stars, to David Laris, who opens buzz worthy restaurants like other people open doors, the variety of flavours and regions represented – American, Spanish, French, German, Mediterranean, Indian, etc. – will blow your mind.

6) Religion is illegal
Religion is a tricky thing in China. While technically an atheist nation, there is a multitude of practicing religions that are tolerated here. While Buddhism is certainly the most popular, you’ll find Christian churches, Jewish synagogues and Muslim mosques throughout the country. As a foreigner, all of these religions are pretty much open for attendance. Just be sure to bring your passport with you until you learn the requirements of your specific place of worship, as many services are different for Chinese citizens and foreigners, and you must have your passport to get into the foreign ones.

7) Beware the Chinese tiger woman
There seems to be an underlying fear from foreigners (mostly males, and rightly so) of the “Chinese Tiger Woman,” out to get a delicious young lover rich enough to buy her what she wants and foreign enough to get her what she wants – a one way ticket out of China. While it’s a fact that this sort of thing does happen occasionally (as in other developing nations), there’s hardly reason to run around suspecting every woman who smiles at you of being out for a new passport. Just use your head, be nice and judge the situation as it comes.
With China rising in prominence on the global scale, more myths about this country are bound to arise. It’s fine to keep these in mind as you embark on your new adventure, but be sure to remain flexible and willing to throw out all the preconceived notions that you find completely inaccurate (which will be many!).
 

Related links
8 Common Misconceptions about China Debunked
3 Things I Misunderstood about Chinese People Before I Came to China
Top 6 Misconceptions about Foreigners in China

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