For me, long story short = for my business best place on world the last years, came here in 2007. Also my girlfriend is here, Australian, so same place, so far so good. Climate wise and culture wise I know much better cities to live. I do not have children yet and also far from retiring, both scenarios will push me to other cities than China. Or I like being in China, yes very much, the advantages here much more than the disadvantages for now.

Easily put, in regards to development and economy, you would never believe it, culturally it is 10 times worse than anything you read.

I would say every place had its share of problems. China is no different. When people do ask me this question I often comment on the fact that in China foreigners are VERY foreign. Unless you live in an expat area, you're likely to be a local attraction unto yourself. On the upside, although crime exists everywhere, crimes against foreigners here are not often violent. I enjoy walking outside at night if I can't sleep. For me that is a big perk, because in the USA I would only drive around at night.

I say "It sure is big, isn't it?" and play dumb. I don't enjoy discussing China with people who know nothing about China.

I would say that China is this "emerging superpower" that some western media outlets talk about in which people urinate and excrete in public, sleep on any unused piece of floor space they can find and risk life and limb to save 1 yuan here and there. Other than that, it is "just so so".

he he. I said "Just so-so"!

I will most typically say something like, "China is doing well considering it is a developing country. There are many problems it will face and I am not sure they will be able to handle them on their own. China is both overestimated and underestimated at the same time. When you look at it, China is just a place like everywhere else where people go about their daily business"

If people ask specifically how are the Chinese people I will try not to explain too much details, despite them generally being good people I cannot represent a positive view of the Chinese population as a whole. 

(current views might be influenced by the fact that the world is looking to loose one of the few great men, I hope one day China will have such a person "It always seems impossible until it's done" ) 

"Never a dull moment.".

Pushing, spitting, screeching and public defecation; forced abortions; labor camps; horrifying frequency of abduction, rape, murder, dismemberment and child abuse in the poor areas (which we aren't supposed to know about); prevalent domestic violence; crime statistics that are 99.9% unreported (thus making China the "safest" country in the world); nationalistic brainwashing; ultra-materialism; culture of lies.

None of this outweighs the excellent and leisurely lifestyle of a foreign teacher. I love my job, love my students, and have loads of free time to spend reading, writing, swimming, watching movies and stating polemic opinions on eChinaCities.

Big, busy, diverse, 57 nations rolled into one, developing (often faster than the people can cope with), financially motivated in almost everything and as a general view most importantly:

The global capital of unfettered Capitalism, it should be renamed Ayn Randland.

Damn Samsara, if that doesn't make answer of the day, I surely do not know what will

moral values of the middle ages

education of the 18th century

creativity of the middle east 500 years ago

selfishness of the next century

military ambition of napoleon

arrogance of a roman senator for caesar

food from a post global apocalypse

water from the 12th century

im sure i forgot something , feel free to contribute or disagree

I dread this question being asked -  people only want to hear happy things, nothing bad. It makes it difficult to explain the reality of life in China.

Also, the question usually sets my boyfriend off on a "why I hate China" rant which inevitably stops the conversation dead.

To add on to never a dull moment I would say it's the complete opposite of here. The complete opposite. The language is different, the culture is different, the ways in which they do things are somewhat different. (!

He he, I said: "different"!

I tell people that china is full of arrogant morons who are in fact the most selfish, most stubborn, and most stupid people I have ever met.

the usual response is disbelief because a lot of americans think chinese people must be very smart to have developed so rapidly.  stupid americans...

I say " It's ok, but it smells different....ohh, and they ban facebook and youtube ".

Me:Hey, it's going fine, so busy at work.

Mom: Hey be glad you have a job.

good to save, bad to live

thank you, and never come here

My experience is that nobody from back home has ever asked me the question.  And the why of this is rather perplexing.

Is China so mysterious that nobody has any clue about it?....or perhaps just a zero interest in it?

Anyone else found this general lack of interest from their family and friends?

It's so crowded !

I normally just say 'good' and then see what their follow up question is. their second question usually lets me know how much they know/how much they want to know. If they ask me about the pollution or one child policy or something then I'll engage them, if they just change the topic then they obviously don't care so I just go with it. 

I start with "It's going to be a long story, we better find a cozy place to seat and a good bottle of wine.". If I just have a few minutes, I would say people can be nice and hospitable, but that the society as a whole is incredibly grinding, rude, harsh, with small oasis of human warmth. I would say that there are lots of issues with complex causes and effects. I would say there are lot of opportunities for the adventurous soul, but finding fortune will hurt and that will be 90% of grinding for 10% of joy. I would say the deserted places are gorgeous, that the country is really many nations rolled into one.

It got me a few beers for free, once the crowd is hooked ^^

I'd say "Full of a more Chinese people that are still learning to drive their beemer"

Maybe you can say it is much esier to get women in China as Chinese women find white men attractive. Ha...Not just me,I have heard most Chinese women said so.
And your friends will say:Lets go to China for women.

I come, I shit, I conquer.

"Don't ask."
"That bad huh?"
"Don't ask."
"No but seriously, is everything OK?"
"AAARGH qrblspldbt! MUCUS! Flying mucusballs in the sky!! Oh the human fecality. Why feces, why? LaowailaowailaowaiHALLAO! HA ha ha ha… (sob). I think to much I think too much. Must respect and understand Chinese culture … (hiccup) What what in the pigu?
hurmblrg, you are my little duck little apple! Crap your hands everybody! No why, there is no why!!! Why? Oh no, I don't understand China. But I do, don't I? Why? NO WHY!?! Old why, laowai. Do things China's why or the high why. No why, smile or die. I'm crying in the BMW, what a glorious day.
Meiyou, meiyou, and round the shops we go. Chinese dogfood is the best MSG in the world. The meat around the bones is so much tastier, so don't need to cut out the bones - you can eat soup with chopsticks and select the fishbones out with your mouth. Hahaha (whimper). Gloves are eating utensils for sushi and burgers. Let's drink terpentine and toast our health - Ganbei! Meiyou cold drinks it's not yet summer. Geini hot drinks it's not even winter. You should drink hot water too!!
The aunties in China are dancing mainly in the squares. Beware of the elderly thay can steal all your money! Eyes everywhere. They burn and spurn and cry 'Harrao'.
More child abuse is the solution to all society's problems. Go to granny while I make more sacrifices on my iPad -32GB. Drive safely drive brainsfree. Oh I'm so open and honest and free and my body is different. High five to stay alive. Hey kids, who wants to serial-kill those Japanese dogs? Come on baby, let's PLAY!"