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Q: Outside of China, what's the first thing you see that says, "I'm not in China anymore" to you?
For me, it is when I get off the plane and visit the bathroom and don't see puddles of piss by the urinals.
Having had to take 3 flights to get home, and lifting 1 very heavy large suitcase on and off trollies, buses etc. Being pushed past by impatient chinese, while doing this. I arrived back in my home airport and as i leant forward to take my suitcase off the carousel, a man next to me said in my home accent "can i help you with that?" I choked out "no, thank you" and he turned to the woman on his other side with the same offer of help.
CARLGODWIN1983:
I am a Doctor. You should take a rest as you have suffered from shock.
I recommend you stay away from CHina for at least....
ETERNITY!
People walking slowly without that sense of panic and push push push mentality. I feel that pressure is gone and I'm just like "Ahhhh... not in China."
That, and the obvious lack of constant car horns blaring and fireworks popping.
I remember, on the flight home...the lady in the seat in front of me turned, looked back, smiled at me, and said "Excuse me? Do you mind if I lean my seat back like two inches? Tell me if I go too far." That was when I knew I was going home.
Beyond that, there is: Cleanlieness, breathable air, and a general disapproval for letting ones' brats run screaming and hollering all over a public space.
I remember, on the flight home...the lady in the seat in front of me turned, looked back, smiled at me, and said "Excuse me? Do you mind if I lean my seat back like two inches? Tell me if I go too far." That was when I knew I was going home.
Beyond that, there is: Cleanlieness, breathable air, and a general disapproval for letting ones' brats run screaming and hollering all over a public space.
Looking out the plane window:
the blue, blue sky
fresh air, clean ocean
At the airport:
it's the good manners and friendliness to strangers
Later:
No more of the bad cooking oil smell that turns my stomach
Since I'm from the prairies (what Americans might call the 'Midwest') I have to tell you it's the size of people. Who now look like 'Cow People' in the first moment of culture shock. Huge chunky broad top-heavy lunks plodding around the airport.
It seems 'unnatural' or certainly in modern times. big hulks chunking around.
There is Toilet Paper in public toilets 
RachelDiD:
When my plane landed from my first flight home from China, I went to the airport bathroom, stood in line, realized I wasn't carrying toilet paper in my purse, and almost asked someone if I could borrow a few squares of theirs. I stopped myself just in time.
The first girl I see with something more than a B-cup (real, not a Chinese wonder pushup bra or something), I know I'm not in China anymore 
When I get off the plane and only see Black people everywhere
When I get off the plane, and there are no Asians in sight... Oh, wait. That doesn't happen...
Not sure yet, I'll let you know on the 12th of August when I land in Bonnie Scotland again!
Surely the simple answer is the fact that you notice you have returned to a world of civilization.
