Expats in China, How has your time in China changed your outlook towards your own country?

[WTF?]

With the knowledge that in your own country; you won't be thrown into prison because of a satirical message on Twitter, or for protesting against food adulteration that has damaged the health of your son, and you won't be searching for a new proxy everyday to log into your facebook account.

Has your life in China brought out the best of patriotism in you? How has it changed your perception about your own country?

Secondary question: Which part of China have you stayed in and how long?

[JankyFresci]

Went all around China from Shenzhen, to Guilin to Chengdu to Beijing and Shanghai for several months. In that time, I've realized that China isn't as bad as people say, and I've realized that my country's media is affected heavily by American interests so we get a very (negatively) distorted view of China. In sum, I've realized that even my country's so called free press is a bunch of propaganda crap that plagues the mainstream media. Only a few lesser known media outlets are credible in my mind now. I've also realized that I'm REALLY fricking lucky because people in my country are relatively rich despite not being any smarter or harder working than the Chinese- we were just born in the right place

[melissa r]

living in china for 3 years has taught me to appreciate my life and everything i have been given and all the opportunities i have had.

- i also never thought i would love the fresh canadian air so much.
- i am now so appreciative of being able to have a real childhood

[rocco j]

I have been in China for almost 12 months and in that time I'm amazed at the country's rapid growth on so many fronts, whether it be infrastructure, economic or social. I also amazed how kind chinese people are, and how incredible they are at living together in peace, even in high density population areas which is something western culture fails at in many cases. Has it brought out the patriotism? Exactly the opposite, it's instilled in me a greater desire to understand, learn and respect different cultures. As for where, Guangdong, Beijing, Shanghai, Yunnan and Sichuan..

[Prince Charles]

China is a happier place than England. I enjoy my time here, have made many new friends, love the lower cost of living, and bought a cool apartment. Life back home wasn't so great to start with and got worse after the global recession started.

As far as your silly comments about Twitter and proxy hair coloring, I think that you don't know what you are talking about. China is a fun place and I wouldn't change anything about it. I'm going shopping today for Christmas presents and I'll have more selection at lower prices in China than I ever did in London.

[ignatz]

I did not stay very long but I am a world traveler and have a perspective of many countries.

Basically I like China (my new wife is Chinese). I like most of the food, the different geography is exceptional, the people in general are very friendly and honest, it is one of the safest countries I have ever been to, the Cost Of Living is exceptionally low compared to most western countries as long as you learn/know to try to live as the average Chinese do. By average I'm actually speaking of the better educated and with better careers in large cities than the large majority of the poorer class.
The only things I do not like about China is the SMOG, that is the main reason I decided not to stay and live in My wife's city. It's everywhere just about. I also do not like the Communist form of government.
They have as much negative propaganda as any western country but they also suppress basic freedoms that the west enjoys.
AS for being patriotic I think the vast majority of everyone feels strongly about their native country in the best of terms.
Many of the CHinese people I met would not discuss the government but they would always brag about all the other wonderful things they loved about China and they are especially happy about the fairly new capitalism and freedom (more or less) to move about.
The history and culture of China is extremely fascinating and of course interesting.

I don't believe my patriotism has changed other than I now realize from my many travels over the years has shown me that most people everywhere are pretty much the same (except for those countries that are continuously at war or under a dictatorship and have few freedoms), they work, they enjoy life, they have problems, they survive.

All in all Many westerners who do not have the opportunity to visit or even learn more about China are the poorer for it. Wonderful country with wonderful people and a lot of business and government problems much the same as everywhere else, Just with different names and ways of doing things.