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Q: Do you hate KTVs? Ever have to explain that to a local?
I hate being at a KTV, which is a normal thing for a western person, but sometimes it doesn't register with the locals. Also, I hate to sing. The few times I have been dragged to a KTV the locals pick songs for me they think I know, usually some boy band crap or the Beatles (wait the Beatles are a boy band), and hand me the mic. When I do not know the song they act so surprised, "but this some is even popular in China blah blah blah..."
I would be lying if I said a KTV is never fun. If you have a large group of the right people it can be fun. But I do not understand going with 3 people in the afternoon for 5 hours without beer. What are your KTV horror or awkward stories?
10 years 44 weeks ago in Relationships - China
You don't need to know the song...the words are played for you. And if you don't know how it sounds there is an option where you can hear the music video with the real singer singing. No excuses! 
if there is a visitor in my country and people pressure them to take part in a social activity they don't want to do (be it drinking, smoking, singing in public, whatever), we would accept that.
people's likes and dislikes are accepted, no forcing them to behave in a way they are not comfortable. People are individuals. while trying new things is good, forced humiliation is not
frankbenedix:
that is true, but I do think if someone visits your country you should take them to the KTV, try to get them to sing, but do not pick the song for them
sorrel:
yes, certainly give it a go. but you don't keep pressuring them if they are not into it !
No beer? Wow, even when I went to KTV there was beer, although I didn't drink any. Next time order some. I don't mind up to 2 or 3 hours of KTV, but any longer than that, and even I get tired of it. Well, there's always the opportunity to take a nap.
Hang on, I'm currently electrocuting myself. Ahhh... ah... it feels great. Dunno why my computer keeps electrocuting me. Oh, where was I? Sorry...
I just sit there and refuse to participate. Or I go KTV Hulk and start singing badly, and everyone gets really embarrassed. That's how they know never to invite me again. 
They just cannot accept that anybody could have the freedom to dislike something they are told is enjoyable.
KTV - Beer = Not Fun!!
I can't imagine staying more than 5 minutes if there were no cold beer.
Hulk:
I went to a KTV with someone here on ECC, and it was actually fun. We just sat there while our women sung (they were both good at it), and he really talked himself down. "I'm a terrible singer, it's really embarrassing." Then he bursted into a soaring soprano and sung like a frigging opera star.
I just sat there going "What's that about being terrible???
" He was good. Then I sung, and he never talked to me again. 
I don't like it either, at least 95% of the time. It's boring, gives me a headache, the food is always terrible, the beer is always warm, and nobody knows how to sing. The worst singers are always the ones that claim to be the best. Why would sitting on a couch for 3-5 hours with bad food and warm beer listening to ear splitting sad Chinese music sung by amateurs be fun? AND having to pay for it? Welcome to China.
cooter:
You gotta learn to ASK for cold beer...I promise you most places will have it! "Wo yao BING DE pi jiu, you ma?" With enough cold beer, it negates all the other negative aspects of KTV ;)
KTV is the worst. What drives me crazy is when other expats want to 'have a KTV night.'
It's not worth it to try to explain to my Chinese friends why Westerners don't like it, though--it sort of reminds me of that one time, when I worked for a (shit) training center that tried to strong-arm the FTs into doing some stupid dance on a stage for 200 people at a crap Spring Festival Party. Of course, the FTs mutinied, and, for the life of her, the (Chinese) principal of the school could not understand why Westerners were so against the idea of being made to dance in front of 200 at some stupid party.
RachelDiD:
Hi, Flemingo. I love the way you attack me, but don't comment so I don't see it. Very brave of you. You must think that I operate in a vacuum, and think that everything I do, all Westerners do. That is not the case. I don't like KTV, and the vast majority of the Westerners I have befriended, chatted casually in bars with, and even gone to KTV with dislike it, as well. I am not speaking for every Westerner--just the vast majority of those I met, and my comments are in line with the vast majority of the posters here. If you like KTV, good for you, but you are relatively rare, at least in Western circles. So, quit being a smug idiot, knock the chip off your shoulder, and stop assuming that everyone who talks in generalities is attempting to speak up for YOU.
A few posters and even the person who asked the question seem to think the are the model of a westerner, they don't like it, so it's normal for a westerner, and the post above me needs to explain to her Chinese Friends why Westerners (we are all the same as her) don't like KTV, the job might be easier if you just tried to explain why YOU don't like KTV instead of trying to speak for every "Westerner".
I don't hate KTV, but I have had positive and negative experiences, I enjoy it with the right crowd, and with a time limit which is relative to the amount of alcohol served. I don't enjoy it when I feel tired or not in a 'fun' mood.
I guess I'm really abnormal for a Westerner because I don't hate being at a KTV, which is pretty normal for a Western person.
GuilinRaf:
I agree with you. Normally, I am not too fond of KTV, but I do have a group of friends with whom I do indeed enjoy it. That, and a couple of doses of "liquid courage" and you will hear me belt out the most horrible renditions of 70's & 80's music while actually having a good time doing so! But it depends on whom I go with.
That being said, I do believe that all Westerners should try to visit a KTV at least once in their lifetime.
frankbenedix:
The questions was “do you hate KTVs” not “westerners all hate KTVs” or “please defend KTVs because we think they are stupid.” I never insinuated all western people ever hate all KTVs. I even said I have fun at KTVs sometimes.
Flemingo:
first line you wrote underneath your question
"I hate being at a KTV, which is a normal thing for a western person"
You never insinuated that all westerners hate them, only that it was normal for them to.
I'm not defending KTV either, if you hate it, that's up to you, I am simply defending my individuality beyond being a 'westerner', I hate that blanket and it's been on my nerves a bit lately as I am getting the run around by various institutions.
I used to feel abject terror at the thought of karaoke. Now I do sober karaoke for fun. It's a business and life skill (if you spend long enough here). Sorry if that's not what you wanna hear, but for many it's a useful thing to learn. So try getting over your phobia. It also helps to realize that most people are bad at it, and when they all laugh (seemingly at you) it's not got that edge to it, there's nothing harsh they just laugh at everything. If your singing voice is terrible take pride in it! Perhaps in your case part of the problem is control. Don't let them put rubbish songs on for you - get your rock on and let rip.
Chinese people generally don't understand the concept of saying no. (of course I am sure some of the single guys disagree and thinks the word "no" is thrown around too much)
happywanderer:
Big problem here - the general view is that if you just keep pushing and pushing until someone gives in you are somehow braver or that is the right thing to do because they gave in in the end. (I know this isn't what you meant though Scandinavian. Talking about this in terms of locals really) But it is a big problem here, many people don't accept no as no. Even after repeating it. To be honest it's a large part of why I feel the guys here end up as bullies with the whole might is right attitude, and the girls are incredible for putting up with that sh*t for a lifetime and not stabbing anyone (husbands/boyfriends/bosses/whoever). Seen it too many times..
Scandinavian:
I have actually had this conversation
My wife : "X says they are going out tonight, do you want to join them, I will be working anyway"
Me: "No, I will go home and watch a movie with the dog"
Friends via WeChat: "Hey, you wanna join us for dinner tonight"
Me: "No, I will go home and watch a movie with the dog"
Friends a little later: "We will go to <some shitty noodle place>, see you there"
Me: "No, I will go home and watch a movie with the dog"
Friends calls: "We are on the bus now, should be there in 30 mins"
Me: "I will go home and watch a movie with the dog, so no thanks"
Friends WeChat from restaurant: "We are waiting to order, when are you here?"
Me: "I am actually just preparing some food at home before watching a movie"
Friends via WeChat: "So you are not coming"
Me: "No, I told you 4 hours ago that I would do exactly what I am doing"
The problem here is that these are really nice people, that I like to hang with, and too many of these episodes could make me change that opinion.
warm beer, bad songs, ugly, snotty girls (at the night time KTVs), rancid food and stale cigarette smelling rooms.
What could possibly be wrong with a KTV?
I normally tell people if they can convince three girls to have an orgy at my home, I will go to a KTV with them. Seems to end the conversation quickly. 
