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Q: Why doesn't China have laundromats?
At least I haven't seen any- anyone come across one? Not the ones you drop off clothes- the self service ones like back in the States..with washers/dryers.
Nope, have not seen one in many years coming here, I guess many who buy a new apartment, do get a washing machine, and also those that have older homes buy one too.
With the Chinese adversion to "mixing" anything of theirs with something used by another person, I have serious doubts a laundromat will be a good business here.
I explored that possibility in 2004, and gave up on the idea when many Chinese told me they will not use it.
One reason might be that you would have to get people used to the idea of spending money in order to dry clothes in machines!
den:
I could definitely use one now...it takes 2-3 days in this weather for my clothes to hang dry.
I did an informal survey of the little ones in my class, a mixed group of children from all different socio-economic backgrounds, as to which childern had a washing machine at home (the word appeared in the vocabulary for the lesson). Out of 30 + children in the class, only 2 or 3 did not have a washing machine at home. They are quite prevalent here is what I am guessing.
Secondly, HappyEx is quite correct, IMHO, in what he writes about the adversion of Chinese of mixing their affairs with those used by another person. There are laundries in the city where I live -- drop-off laundries -- but they will not launder socks, they will not launder underclothes, etc.,etc.
I think that college students would like it. One of my friends was really excited when she found out there was a washer on campus. But she put it in for much longer than it needed, she doesn't know how to use one I guess. If a lot of people have them in their homes, it makes sense they wouldn't need a laundromat. The rest just handwash their clothing. I've never even heard of a dryer in China, unforunately.
Just got a load from the laundrymat/drycleaner two days ago. I admit, I've seen better as far as the drycleaning goes but for that price, I'll take it. Gotta do a few touch ups with the iron but it's all good. They folded my suits! Gotta educate them on that one next time.
I recently met a Chinese woman in Canada and we were talking about washing clothes. In China everyone seems to hand wash and hang clothes everywhere. This woman claims our washing machines do not do a gooda joba. I disagree. hmmm never occured to me I might have to hand wash my clothes...wear one outfit for a week, buy a new one if I can find a grown up store in China and burn my old clothes,, that would be preferred to not having a washing machine,, or maybe I can hire a nice girl to come do my laundry,,,hmmm thats a better idea,, I like wet asian women.
