More and more Chinese are visiting major tourist attractions abroad, but
their manners haven't left a good impression of people from the land of
Confucius that stresses proprieties.
Confucius advocated as early as 2,500 years ago that courtesy is a standard
of being human.
The Shanghai based Morning News interviewed several travelers who often went
abroad to explore how Chinese should behave when visiting other countries.
According to them, the behavior of some Chinese tourists abroad is
inappropriate and even embarrassing.
Ms. Tang, who joined in a tourist group to Europe two years ago, said she saw
some Chinese who had just arrived at the airport see some acquaintances in line
and jump the queue for check-in.
"A tourist from America or Europe asked whether I was with them. I was so
embarrassed that I turned and stood at the end of the line," Tang said.
A travel agency staff member told the paper some Chinese gather in a group
around the boarding check counter and don't wait in line.
Chinese like taking photos as souvenirs when visiting a new place, but this
habit obstructs others if they don't shoot one by one. Groups of Chinese
visitors usually assemble in front of tourist attractions, leaving others
waiting to pass.
Zhang Lei, Vice Director of Shanghai Business International Travel Service
Corporation, once led a 30-person tourist group to Europe. The group of Chinese
tourists started talking and laughing in the carriage after the train left
Frankfurt.
What's more, some took off their shoes, and one coughed heavily without
covering his mouth, causing dozens of travelers to flee to other carriages.
A Japanese cicerone believed one of the greatest differences between Chinese
and other Asian tourists is that the former usually talks loudly in public.
Europe Department director of Shanghai Airlines Tours International Service
Zhao Yujie, who has lived in Europe for three years, found some Chinese tourists
dress too casually in European countries, especially when they are attending
performances or dinners.
Zhao said a bellhop stopped a Chinese man from entering a theatre in Paris
because he was wearing jeans and a t-shirt.
Uncivilized behavior seems to be more common within the country. Many cities
have published spiritual civilization proposals, calling on citizens to use
'please', 'thanks' and other polite words more.
Some experts say Chinese should be ashamed of this situation. As a nation
with a 5,000-year history and a tradition of manners and proprieties, Chinese
are now re-learning basic manners in daily life.
People are expecting a gentler image of China, both domestically and
internationally.
