Перейти к содержанию сайта
Why Can’t the Chinese Wait in Lines?
Article

Why Can’t the Chinese Wait in Lines?

Dissecting a Cultural Phenomenon


автоматическое преобразование текста в аудио
автоматическое преобразование текста в аудио

Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • For Beginners
  • Engaging

Recommendation

The prevalence of line cutting in China remains baffling to those from abroad. Foreign journalists have tried to dissect the phenomenon, ending up none the wiser. A recent round of viral videos showed some line cutting altercations getting out of hand. Why is this practice so pervasive in China? Phoenix Weekly columnists – writing under the pen names Ning Yi and Guo Meili – recap a few cases of line jumping that went viral and offer their light-hearted analysis of the reasons for this cultural quirk. This not-so-serious article isn’t an in-depth social study, and its rally for social change seems more like an afterthought. Nonetheless, getAbstract recommends this entertaining read to anyone interested in contemporary Chinese culture and society.

Take-Aways

  • Cutting in line is a common and sometimes necessary practice in China.
  • The Chinese are always looking for ways to beat the system.
  • Jumping the queue is a way of dealing with China’s hypercompetitive , fast-paced environment.

About the Authors

Ning Yi and Guo Meili are op-ed columnists who cover social topics for Phoenix Weekly.


Comment on this summary or Начать обсуждение