It’s been pretty hot today: a reported 30 degrees Celsius (that’s 86 Fahrenheit, if you prefer to count it that way), coupled with near 70% humidity that is tempered only slightly by a gentle, warm breeze.
No complaints from me whatsoever. Being from the U.K., where the number of summer days can be counted on the fingers of an individual’s hands, I consider each sun-kissed day a blessing.
What’s got my goat today, then? Well, it’s the fact that we’re now stuck in a kind of purgatory whereby it’s amazingly hot in confined spaces – taxis, restaurants, shops, hospitals, schools, etc – and yet nobody will contemplate turning on the air-conditioning because, and I quote local wisdom here, “It’s not summer yetâ€.
That’s right, it’s warmer than can usually be experienced in most of Europe and North America, and a heck of a lot more humid, but those cream-coloured coolers will stand undisturbed in their corners, or on their wall-mounted perches, because it isn’t yet summer in the people’s mindset.
I do realise the full extent of summer here in eastern China, with its daily highs of near 40 degrees Celsius, and almost 99% humidity, and that it will last much of June as well as all of July and August.
If you’re here in Suzhou, try this tomorrow. Go into a ‘Kedi’ mini-mart and feel the weight of the heat in the shop. No air-con will be on. The fridges will be switched off. Only the freezers (and the lights, of course) will be in operation. Find a Snickers bar on the shelf, poke it with your finger. I’ll bet you 100 kuai that it’s softer than a baby’s belly. Go towards the fridge cabinets, open a door and touch a bottle of beer. It’ll be nearly as warm as a steaming cup of coffee-of-the-day from Starbucks.
Or, try one of these: take a cab, and enjoy the full burning sensation of being in a glass and metal box when it’s 30 degrees outside and the coolers are off. Open the taxi’s window, instead, for a blast of (er… warm) air. Perhaps question the driver as to why the VW’s installed air-con sits untouched in the ugly grey dashboard, and get the reply: “It’s not summer yetâ€.
Go into a cheap restaurant, and there’s a good chance that you’ll be having to eat your hot food as you wipe the sweat from your brow, despite a yellowing, aging air-con unit sitting unplugged in the corner. However, stiff competition from more customer-service orientated establishments (such as, er… Western ones), is changing this trend.
Roll on the actual start of summer, then, as it will hail the wider availability of cold beer, and a cooler environment indoors, despite it being 40 degrees outside.
Author’s note: I should mention that air-con is massively wasteful in terms of energy consumption, which accelerates global warming. It is, therefore, evil. Why-oh-why is a thing that feels soooo good actually so baaaad?
Well, I have to say that I read this article with disgust. You think that adding the cute note at the end mitigates my contempt for your point of view at all? No.
Air conditioning is terrible for the environment, and not just for global warming. As you said, it’s massively wasteful in term of energy consumption, and the electricity that it uses, in China, comes almost exclusively from coal-burning power plants, so think about that the next time you complain about the blanket of pollution covering the entire country.
You’re American, right? One of the things that I really like about the Chinese is how good they are at saving (paper, money, energy, etc.). Nothing gets my goat more here in China than westerners coming here and using what precious little influence they might have to spread the gospel of waste.
You’ve never used a heater, air conditioning (home, office or in transit), a fan, a furnace, a refrigerator, an oven or a freezer Chris?
It’s pretty naive to assume that any of this “don’t turn it on yet” mentality has anything to do with energy saving concerns in regards to the environment. It’s 100% money vs. a lack of customer care. A supermarket in the West couldn’t get away with not having a climate controlled environment – but here they can, so they do. More profits. Period.
Chinese people don’t save things. Some Chinese people save things because they’re so poor that they are completely required to to survive. Most middle-class or above produce more waste than I ever saw back home in Canada.
Ryan,
Interesting points that nicely deflate Chris’ pomposticating.
But Steven’s effort really is quite poor, and reflective of many thoughtless ponderings on China. It observes a mildly irritating custom, but fails to develop any interesting ideas or conclusions. It does not even have a well written lightness-of-touch that might just make a throw away observation interesting to read. Its banality is augmented by a weak and childish ending. I cringed reading it and thank Chris for sticking the boot in.
I find more interest in the two comments following it, that provoke thought on the whole environmental issue, and the hypocricy that often surrounds it (not just China, please). So, unintentionally, it looks like the post served a purpose.
well, we’ve got two armchair literary critics competing tooth-and-claw to be more pompous and overblown than each other. congratulations on being two nanny-state leftists who get their knickers in a twist at anything!
i’m just observing something about this time of year: no agenda, no axes to grind. this isn’t about the environment, though i would add that it’s my personal preference to avoid excess power consumption, so on summer nights i use nothing but a single fan which is sufficient to cool two people.
indeed, as ryan pointed out, the lack of air-con at this time of year (the same occurs at the end of autumn, actually) is about extra profit. period.
if, jonas and chris, you’re so concerned about the current situation whereby summer energy demands (pushed higher by domestic and commercial cooling) rocket by as much as 50% and threaten city-wide brown-outs, feel free to suggest some global or local solutions, rather than just generating your own hot air.
Say what you will but I am sticking with Steven on this one.
I think there is nothing more disgusting than a room temperature Coca Cola on a warm spring day. When I ask why they do not have the fridge turned on they look at me like I am crazy and tell me it is not summer yet.
I think one of the things that gets me is that the level of customer service is so low in so many places and that most owners only care about making money to the point where they offer no training to new workers and usually care nothing about customer service as long as they are making money. Well sometimes the non-aircon thing is just the straw that broke the camels back.
About the evironment, most Chinese don’t give a f@#k about global warming or about the environment. They say they do, but do little or nothing to really try to take care of the situation. Beijing is litter with rubbish, piss, and if you are on a back road used toilet paper. The govt is no better. As we have read over and over, the economy is numero uno, the rest can wait.
BTW Chris: You might want to polish your reading skills. In the article he says that he is from the UK, but you made a stupid generalization by saying “Are you American?” You make me question whether or not you read the whole article or not.
Did I miss the literature?
Hey all, what a kick! I’m not backing down an inch, except to admit that I made a mistake assuming Steven was from the U.S. Anyway I’m from the U.S. so I’m allowed to deride that country all I want.
Ryan said “You’ve never used a heater, air conditioning (home, office or in transit), a fan, a furnace, a refrigerator, an oven or a freezer Chris?” This is an obvious fallacious argument by generalization, and I won’t respond to it further.
You also manage to neatly contradict yourself within the space of two lines: “Chinese people don’t save things. Some Chinese people save things because they’re so poor that they are completely required to to survive.” Either they do save things, or they don’t — which is it? In my experience, they do, more so than westerners. Their attitude towards saving money is well documented. Also, ever since arriving here, I’ve noticed time and time again that they save paper more than I do (or think necessary). And they use less electricity, too. Their reasons for doing so might not be altruistic, but that’s beside the point (that I was trying to make). Whatever the reasons, I think saving resources is a Good Thing, and ought to be encouraged.
I agree with one thing Jonas said: “It observes a mildly irritating custom, but fails to develop any interesting ideas or conclusions.” I myself haven’t encountered the attitude that Steven described, people not turning on the AC because “it’s not summer yet”, but I think that could be an interesting topic to explore — something about following the rules for the rules’ sake, where the reason for the rule is not considered, or eventually becomes obscured. I don’t know if Chinese do this more than Westerners or not, but it’s an interesting topic.
Steven then said “congratulations on being two nanny-state leftists who get their knickers in a twist at anything!” Boy, that really twists my knickers! Can’t a guy say something nasty without having to be the victim of this kind of ad-hominem blather?
You also said “feel free to suggest some global or local solutions, rather than just generating your own hot air”. How about this for a local solution: Deal! (or, as the Chinese would say, å¿ rÄ›n). Rather than question the taxi driver, go ahead and open the window. You yourself said the day had “a gentle, warm breeze” and “no complaints from me whatsoever”.
Jonas, what literature?
@chris, it’s a fair point to say “deal”. i’m pretty laid-back and culturally aware, so i don’t try to change what other cultures do, or impose my own values.
thus, when the taxi driver avoided turning on the air-con, or the ladies in Kedi explained why the fridges were turned off, i was just asking out of curiosity, and didn’t demand that the coolers/fridges be turned on.
it’s just an interesting quirk… so i’m not gonna make demands. would be nice to get a cold beer without having to try several different shops, though…
Your original comment was self-righteous and hypocritical. I was merely pointing it out – my question was rhetorical and didn’t require a response.
It’s not a contradiction at all. You used “Chinese people” as a generalization towards all Chinese, as if saving is part of their genetic makeup or cultural identity. Saving in China is merely a response to the lack of a social security net and extreme poverty. That “some” plays a more important role than you’re giving it credit for.
Each one of Steven’s examples is completely a customer service issue, are you really advocating customers just bend over and take it because we (Chinese and foreigners alike) happen to be in China?
Self-righteous, maybe. Hypocritical, no. Why do you think so? Your last comment seems to suggest that because I’ve used a heater, air conditionaer, etc., in the past, that my comment is hypocritical. Well, that’s wrong, and is a fallacious argument, and is exactly what I meant when I said it was an argument by generalization.
I feel certain that I’m not a hypocrite (at least, no more than a little, one could certainly make the argument that everybody’s a little bit hypocritical). I do what I can to live simply, and avoid harming the environment. For a trivial example, when I walk into a classroom that has the AC on, and the windows open, I turn off the AC. I even go one step further, and it’s a much harder step, in my opinion, and admonish other people to do the same. In my experience, most people are blissfully unaware of the impact that their actions have on the environment, and little reminders from other people, maybe, can go a long way.
So that was what motivated my original comment. I’ve been thinking about it a lot, actually, and I guess my tone was out of line. There was no need to be such a prick. Apologies, Steven.
Ryan, I don’t see why you continue to fail to see the simple point about Chinese saving more than westerners. The reason doesn’t matter, and the generalization is valid: Chinese people save more than westerners. And use all the flowery poetic language you want (“bend over and take it”) , yes, that’s what I’m advocating, because, IMO, air conditioning is a luxury we don’t need, especially when IT’S NOT SUMMER YET!
Well, I’m Chinese. I save things. It’s not because I’m poor. I learned this habit from my mum when I was a kid. And I think it’s a good thing. I would like to teach my child to do so when I have one 🙂 On one hand, we can save money for ourselves; on the other, we can do a little good thing to protect the environment which has been destroyed so badly by us human beings.
I agree that most store owners here don’t care about customer service. That’s not good. But I don’t think you need to complain so much just because you couldn’t get a cold beer on a 30 degree day. Maybe you have been treated so well in your country that you think the “Customer is God” (this is a Chinese saying). Well, God won’t suffer from global warming. We will and we are. That’s why it’s so hot when it’s not summer.
So I hope the fact that this bad thing (no AC–no matter what the reason is) is a good thing from another point of view can cheer you up a little when you get into a hot cab.
Thanks for the sensible comment after much quibbling. Though I think you underestimate the attraction of cold beer on a warm day.
I’m sorry too for the tone of my comments. And sorry, Chris, for the “pomposticating” aside. It’s a neologism I recently came across in Alan Clarke’s Diaries. Couldn’t resist trying it out.
@Anastasia & Chris: Other than electricity, how does saving anything save the environment? Saving paper, or cardboard boxes or whatever… doesn’t “do” anything but give the recycling aiyi’s less to pick up.
@Chris: The “hypocritical” thing was only in reference to the fact that you use large-wattage, power-consuming devices to make your life more comfortable but were holding yourself above Steven for saying as much.
And the “not summer yet” thing… was that just baiting? I mean, 25°+ is summer to me, and 30° with humidity leaves no doubt. I’m sitting here in my underwear sweatin’ my tits off – May or not.
As for the turning off of the AC and advocating others do the same, good on ya. Whenever I see this behavior I do the same… well, rather, I usually just shut the window, but to each their own.
A more interesting point is, had you often seen this behavior back in North America? I never did, but I’ve seen it numerous times here. Opening a window when the AC is on has always been, to me, akin to pouring used oil into the sewer – it’s just not something that anyone with half a brain does.
The A/C argument is somewhat void. People are going to want climate controlled environments – our focus should be on making them more power efficient, better insulating rooms/windows/doorways, etc. And none of this has to do with the fact that when you buy a Snickers bar or a diet coke on a hot day (in “Spring” or not), it shouldn’t be gooey or warm (respectively).
well, it’s been an interesting and robust debate, running the surreal gamut from “gospel of waste” to Alan Clarke. Apologies accepted, Chris and Jonas, though not necessary. So long as the tone of debate remains at this decent level. This is Lost Laowai, not Digg!
This is absurd. Of course consuming less has an effect on the environment. Recycling isn’t 100% efficient.
You vex me. This is a fallacious argument. You’re now compounding the problem by committing the fallacious technique of argument by repetition. Yes, I use large-wattage, power-consuming devices, but I try to reduce my usage whenever I can, which is what I’ve been promoting.
Are you averse to admitting that you’re wrong? I ask because, in this instance, it’s blatantly obvious, and when I’ve thought about it, I can’t remember any time when you’ve done it.
I disagree. I think it’s a good argument. You’re right that AC usage will inevitably increase here as the standard of living goes up, but I don’t think that means that we, as individuals, shouldn’t do whatwe can when we can, to conserve.
@Chris: I have a feeling we’re going back and forth on this because we’re arguing two different points. You were raising an environmental issue, whereas I’m defending the article as not being an environmental issue, but one of general customer service.
But… well, my foot hurts and I’ve nothing else to do.
When did I say consuming less doesn’t have an effect on the environment? You’re talking about “saving” not “consuming less”… Perhaps the latter was your intended meaning, but there is a huge difference in the semantics. So, assuming you’re talking “reuse/reduce” by saying “save”, then of course it’s going to have an environmental benefit. My problem with this is, and has been through the course of this thread, that from what I’ve observed while living here, Chinese people are no better (if not worse) at reducing/reusing than those people I know from other countries.
Please, don’t get me started on the our fictitious ideals in regards to modern recycling.
Sorry Chris, you’re absolutely right, “hypocritical” is simply the wrong word to use. You can’t be hypocritical when you’re creating your own, adjustable, standards to hold others to. I’m just not sure what the word is that describes that.
This is well illustrated by you saying:
At what point did ANYONE say we shouldn’t?
You hi-jacked this post and made it an environmental issue to flaunt your views on what a great conservationist you are, and how much we need to learn from you about it. However, it’s still (and how’s this for argument by repetition) simply a customer service issue.
Advocating someone turn on the AC on a scorching day, turn on the lights in my local supermarket so I can see what I’m buying (which I really need to suggest), or turn on the heater in my January-frozen classroom so I can write on the board – these aren’t strictly environmental issues.
These are standards of living issues. The reason we’re so concerned about the environment? Yep, standard of living. I dare hazard to say you’ve no true love for the trees and the birds, and nor do I. We’re all just concerned that excesses in comfort now may lead to a drastic change in comfort later.
And the reason I so disagree with what you’ve said here isn’t at all that I disagree with your point – in fact I believe we share similar ideas when it comes to the environment – it’s that I disagree with the pretense that you could dictate someone else’s standard of living based on what you’re willing to sacrifice to make yourself feel like you’re making a difference.
Fair enough, but I still think I’m right and you’re wrong. 🙂
I find that rather difficult to believe.
If I talk about “saving paper”, I find it hard to imagine that anyone could assume I’m not talking about consuming less paper, as opposed to … what … maintaining a paper collection in a spare room of your apartment?
You know, I understand where this feeling is coming from, and am often dismayed at some of the things I see. For example, as you pointed out before, running the AC with the doors and/or windows open. Nevertheless, I’ve also seen more frugality in many areas of everyday life than what I’m used to seeing back home.
With regards to my original comment, whether the Chinese are better or not at “saving” is irrelevant. I was just expressing irritation at Steven’s complaining about the lack of AC. I guess I didn’t express it very clearly before. To me, the environment is a very important issue, and one which most people seem to disregard. I’m willing to put up with a lot of discomfort in my own personal life in order to try to make a smaller “footprint” on the planet. I’m also, frankly, embarrassed by how wasteful westerners (and Americans, in particular) are of resources. So that’s where my irritation comes from.
I’m not either; how about Jonas’: pomposticator. Anyway, “adjustable” here is meaningless. Everyone’s standards are different, and hopefully adjustable (when a new bit of knowledge comes to light, for example). I guess you’re implying that my standards are out-of-line with the norm, which is probably true. But let me clarify that what I most objected to was that Steven complained to the store owners or cab drivers, trying to get them to change their habits to suit his idea of what customer service should be, at the expense of the environment. If Chinese customerscan put up with it, why shouldn’t we? Is that fair enough? Can you see now why I think that your bringing up my being a user of AC or appliances is completely irrelevant?
Tut, tut, tut. “Hijacked”? That’s a strong word — when exactly should the posting of a reaction be considered hijacking? As for “flaunting my views on what a great conservationist I am”, this language is also offensive to me, they seem to be designed to shame me into silence. Should I be ashamed that I have views, or that I value the environment? This kind of reaction is exactly what makes it hard, sometimes, to ask other people to turn off the AC when you think they should.
Chris, I agree with everything you said here, particularly the “being shamed into silence” bit. And you’re absolutely right, that shouldn’t happen, which is why I got ruffled in the first place, as you pretty much did that exact thing to Steven in your first comment (but as Steven showed, he’s a big boy and can look out for himself).
I’ll leave my stance in relation to “What the Chinese do…” with this – there are a lot of things that your average Chinese person puts up with, due to habit, lack of knowledge or a lack of empowerment, that I think no one should put up with. Bad customer service, though a relatively small issue, is one of these things.
ä½ è¯´çš„ä¹Ÿæœ‰é“ç†å•Š!
global warming is becoming such a obvious problem that someone somewhere other than Al Gore needs to step up to help drive the bus!