Page:A Pocket Guide to China (1943).pdf/18

 demands. Children will run about with nothing on at all. Take all this as a matter of course as the Chinese do, and do not offend their sense of good taste by seeming to even notice it.

Despite the strangeness and the poverty you will very soon enjoy walking along Chinese streets and seeing the rich human life going on around you, the hot-blooded quarreling, the laughter, the children, the people arguing over their buying and selling. They will enjoy you too. A crowd will very likely follow you to stare at you and discuss everything you do. They will be a friendly crowd. So accept them good humoredly and let them come along.

One thing to understand at the beginning: The Chinese think we look queer. They are accustomed to everyone having black hair and black eyes, so naturally they think it strange for people to have red or brown or blonde hair and eyes of unfamiliar colors. Also we are bigger-boned than the average Chinese, and hairier. As a matter of fact, the Chinese have an ancient belief that the hairier people are, the more uncivilized they are. Because of your appearance, you'll be a curiosity to the Chinese, and, perhaps, a source of amusement. If you take that in good part and grin back at them, they'll like you.

You’ll see lots of rickshas, looking just like they did in the movies at home, and you’ll soon be riding in one. 13