Originally Posted by
PTravel
The result of the one child policy? No, the increase in violence in China (which is still less than in many American cities) is the result of dramatically increased unemployment because of the sharp downturn in the economy resulting from less export business, as well as the prior privitization of manufacturing.
Nonsense. Don't walk around certain areas in Guangzhou, or poor suburbs of other cities, and that's true whether foreigner or Chinese. If the son of a Chinese general tried something like this with a foreigner, he'd find himself in jail forthwith and his father would be demoted or forced to resign.
I'm not worried. A plate with lots of 8s on it is clearly someone with money. Were these black plates?
For a dude who doesn't live in China (and I would bet, hasn't), you're really quite the opinionated expert on all things in the country. Yes, yes, yes we know you have friends in the Secret Service, have been to China a bajillion times and your wife is Chinese, so no need to repeat it (again).
Yes China is far more safe than most US cities (personal safety wise, maybe not foodwise!). But I think to say that violence is really only due to drastically increased unemployment or underemployment is naive. There's the whole "foreigner" sentiment that I have noted as a
visitor (as a tourist and for business)
and as a resident (I lived in Beijing for about 2 years and in Dalian for a few months). I have definitely heard people say things about me in Chinese thinking I would not understand. Not always negative, but sometimes it was. I have definitely seen plenty of stares, some of them hostile enough when walking with Chinese girls (not necessarily hand in hand)Of course this should not take away from all of the positive experiences I have had and will continue to have in the country, but I am just trying to illustrate a point.
I would not underestimate the one child policy and it creating spoiled brats. I also would not underestimate the yawning wealth gap in the country. I would not underestimate how challenging life must be for single Chinese guys who may or may not be employed and know (or soon find out) that the decks are stacked against them since there is a HUGE gender gap. Something like 120 boys being born for ever 100 girls? I would most certainly say that the one child policy plays an enormous role in this phenomenon. So on top of that, these guys move to the city (if they're not already there) to make a buck (or 5 mil) and they find that they can't really afford a house/apt or a car (and never might) which reduces their chances with a fair number of the wimminfolk even more. And that goes for plenty of guys who have steady or even good jobs.
However, we cannot forget that hundreds of millions of people have entered or joined the middle class in the last decade or two. I've heard plenty of stories and have even dated a few - heh.
No not all went to Beijing U or Tsinghua etc...
About sons of generals, I think you're being naive since this guy was pretty high up. I don't have anything to counter with it since I don't know (and don't think there are any precedents) but I am sure it would depend on the foreigner's status in society and perhaps in his/her own country as well as the reaction of the public (maybe internet pressure on the message boards if netizens cared, or if it was allowed) and the status of said general.
Foreigners are nowhere near as special or as cool/priviledged as they were 10 to 20 years ago. Times have changed.
Talking about foreigners getting beaten up,
here's an oldie and a goodie. Good thing I wasn't in Sanlitun that night or it could have been me (I'm of Indian origin).