Comments on: Cross Cultural Contamination

By: Benjamin Ross

Benjamin Ross — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:02:17 +0000

Thanks to BIN for pointing this out. I am both flattered and extremely irked about this situation. In the future, if anybody wants to repost material from this blog (or any other blog!) always include a link back to the original post.

By: BIN

BIN — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 01:32:20 +0000

You are famous now! This article has been translated into Chinese and posted on many different Chinese news websites and blogs recently. The new title is “美国人大惑不解，中国餐馆看着脏却吃不坏肚子”. But they didn’t give out the link of your article. Thanks for Google, I found the original post eventually.

By: Kirby

Kirby — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:00:35 +0000

I think its the case that every single person’s body is unique and what gives one person food poisoning won’t necessarily give someone else food poisoning. You should be aware of your own limits and eat accordingly.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:07:47 +0000

There’s a difference between being over paranoid about sanitation and having a kitchen that even comes to close to achieving basic levels of cleanliness. Eating in a food court and seeing cockroach crawling everywhere is not reassuring.

Similar to Kate below i’ve become ill from food around once a month whilst being out here and one of the times I suspect was from a supposedly higher class of restaurant.

I very much agree with not going OTT on sanitation as like you say we’re humans with an immune system and its said that eating “a bit of muck” can be good for your body. But the states of some places that cook food are very far from being acceptable for preparing and cooking food.

By: Liuzhou Laowai

Liuzhou Laowai — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:00:25 +0000

The only time I’ve had food poisoning in 12 years in China was from eating a Wall’s Magnum Ice Cream.

By: Swiss James

Swiss James — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 05:10:14 +0000

Am trying to think of times when I’ve been sick in China, other than alcohol related. Nothing so far I think.

The fruit on a stick though- we could be talking about watermelon or pineapple fresh fruit. I’ve seen those sitting in water, but not the Haws and other candied stuff.

By: Liuzhou Laowai

Liuzhou Laowai — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:59:55 +0000

The fruit on a stick is haw.

山楂

By: Nick Peloquin

Nick Peloquin — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 11:59:18 +0000

what is the fruit on a stick called when it is candied? i know one of the fruit is called hawuah (差不多） but i don’t know how to write it in chinese nor what those kind things are called in general, you know in case i want a different kind of fruit.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:19:48 +0000

Happened to see this article when I was looking for materials about culture differences b/t East and West for my thesis, and found your comments here very impartial. I also agree that there are things to be improved in most Chinese restaurants. But if you eat in someone’s home, I think it’d be much better. Enjoy your stay here:)

By: Another Ben R. from Missouri in China

Another Ben R. from Missouri in China — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 12:17:11 +0000

I love your blog. I am also a
Ben R. from Missouri in China. China
is the exact opposite of the USA. The ethics,
politics, freedom, wealth, cleanliness, quality,
comfort, safety, justice, religion, creativity, education, fashion, diversity, healthcare, and politeness are
entirely different from the Western way.

I have been here for five years and have gotten food poison twice. In America, I only have trouble adjusting from
going from a rice diet to a a sandwich-based
one. True, everything is cooked in China, but directly sharing a dish with everyone at a table instead of each dish having a ladle is gross. I also have found worms, rocks, and hair in my food in China. Unlike Mcdonald’s, Chinese restaurants don’t close if there is no electricity or water.
Dishes are washed in cold water, too. I’m afraid China will remain a third world country for awhile.
Following laws are a hassle, but better safe than sorry.