Individuality

The Chinese have a very different idea of individuality, at least as far as I can tell. Roughly "you have none" or more politely, 'let's all be individual together'. Independence is not valued as highly. Example: Lemon's parents holding our money and putting it in the bank when we need it, meaning she has to call home and justify why we need our money. Their view is that it is safer, in case we get mugged, which is fair enough, and it also ensures she'll keep in contact. But it falls down when they don't bank it straight away, as in the south hot areas, it always takes ages to do anything, which can be a pain.

Also on the plane to Lhasa, we met an uncle and niece, who decided we'd do everything together. Because uncle had been mugged in South Africa years back, he was scared not to be in a group, and Niece was more comfortable with others too. Then we met another couple at the gate to Potala Palace who decided that they could join the group too. Lemon ended up being the ticket gatherer, document holder, and money handler for the 6 of us! I like company, but if you know how hard it is to move as a group of 2, you get the idea with 6. So much stuffing about, dillydallying, milling, and discussing 'how' and 'where' (all in Chinese) begins to grate one's nerves. We moved to a nicer Hotel, and Uncle and Niece couldn't bear to be alone so came too. I have to keep reminding myself that this is part of the experience too.