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China |
 Nightlife in China.
An old uncle, upon being asked out to a late night dinner, replied: "People who go out at night in China have two intents - one is to steal and the other to elope. As I wish to do neither, I shall stay home." - But China has changed.
The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) or just China: one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations. A civilisation responsible for, to name but a few, the invention of paper, the compass, gunpowder, and printing, and this year's Olympic Hosts.
Some academics have referred to China as "an emerging super power" ............... but we think that these so-called academics may be a little out of touch.
It's home to 1.3 billion people, roughly one fifth of the planet's population; Beijing is China's capital and the second largest city after Shanghai. |
Nightlife has changed in China. Centuries ago, night-time activities had either politically subversive or corrupt connotations; they were associated with forming groups, plotting insurrections or currying favour, mostly to the accompaniment of wine, women, flattery and bribes. But it is only in the past hundred years that enjoyment of nightlife has become accepted , and some would say it was thanks to the British in part for making it so. The introduction of gas light by the British Gas Company in Shanghai on October 8, 1865, made it possible for people to step out of their homes in the evening and go to public places of entertainment - teahouses, bars, and theatres. Evening gradually became a time for recreation as well as sleep,and Shanghai, the adventurer's paradise of the 1920s and 1930s, quickly adapted to nightlife, and became the "Sleepless City" .
Today, China's young well-paid white collars regard a night on the town as their hard-earned reward for a long, high-pressure working day, and most entertainment venues are generally geared to young singles and mainly comprise pubs, clubs and karaoke bars. So you have been warned.
So here is some etiquette for you to read, savour and remember when going out to the bars and clubs in China. |
 Bar Scene / Nightlife
The bar scene in China is lively and loud. If you are doing business, expect that only men will go out to drink.
Younger generations play drinking games like “liar’s dice” or guessing games that expedite the drinking process. It is all about having a good time.
Chinese bars have shows, comedians, short plays, lots of live singing, and the essential loud distorted Chinese PA system. The point is, if you are used to going to a local bar at home where it’s all low-key, get ready for something different.
When you want to call a waiter over, use the terms “fu wu yuan” (pron. “foo-wu-yen”) or for a female “xiao gunia” (pron. “shaw goo-nya”) |
Karaoke
Karaoke is a very popular way to spend social time. There are karaoke houses, or more commonly known as “KTVs”, all over China, You will get a private, insulated room that has (distorting) speakers, a television, a large central table, and couches lining the walls. There will be two microphones and a serious, heavy-duty delay.
The Chinese are not shy about singing and will insist that you sing. If you do not want to sing, you can say, “Wo bu hui chang ge” (I cannot sing). If you do go to Karaoke, the volume level will most likely be too loud, but do not ask to turn the music down. Come prepared! Use earplugs and explain that you have hearing problems if they ask. You can say, “Wo de yisheng shou wo de er duo bu hao, sou yi wo xu yao yong zhei ge dong xi” while you point to your ears (My doctor said my ears are no good, that’s why I have to use these).
Don’t feel obliged to patiently listen to someone who is singing. It is not considered rude to multitask in the karaoke room. Someone can be singing while four other people are slamming down dice on the table, playing drinking games.
Be aware that you are going to be in a small room with little or no ventilation, and that most of the Chinese people in the room will be smoking.
One of the coolest things about karaoke rooms is the little button on the wall that alerts an attendant. Need more beer? They arrive within seconds. |
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