The spittting is probably the most annoying to me. It really is not necessary and if it needs to be done at least wait until it can be done in the gutter. I understand most cultural differences but I am not sure how any culture can develop without eventually deciding that spitting is not a good look to others.

Woody is so right, even whilst you eating some men do this irs revolting, sick but they dont know it, for them its as normal as breathing. I dont eat in restaurants unless its real westren. But its not everywhere where this happens. It is also the older people doing this.

dude beijing is clean compared to the smaller cities children having "going to the bathroom" contests at the bus stop with the parents there. and its just not the children adult men and women are likely to pull down their pants or lift up their skirts anywhere and go

The thing that boggles my mind the most, especially with the "defending China" people is simply this:

When did taking a dump in the street, spitting, using the streets as garbage cans, pushing through lines, lying, and ripping people off ever become "culture"?

Architecture, styles of food preparation and dress, things like these are cultural. Being DISGUSTING is not culture. It's unsanitary, vile, and just plain rude.

I won't "just deal with it" because I'm in China.

If in my culture it was normal to have slaves, eat children, and beat the crap out of random people to take their money, you'd "respect my culture" and "do in Rome..." right? And not have any issues with it, right?

Look, I like and respect Chinese CULTURE. Shitting on a sidewalk is not culture no matter what anyone wants to say.

Mr tribes you right.... its not culture its disgusting for us... for some.. Chinese its the way of living... not used to better and sure if they been to countries that we from they sure will see the difference and then choose. I don't think in the time we will be in China that we can change them.

You get used to it.

Wow this has been 21 weeks ago and a lot has changed since then. As far as all of Beijing being nasty that is not true. There are some really nice places in Beijing. They use American standard in some of the places such as the shopping malls. If you go by the Olympic village or the stadium it's nice in that area also. People do spit everywhere that is probably true to the streets to the malls, and anywhere you would be walking. I wouldn't even find it surprising to see people spitting on public transport like buses, subways etc., As far as kids using bathrooms I don't understand what you mean there....