DISQUS

Rick · 2 years ago

I've had this discussion with some non-Dalian co-workers in Dalian.

Their perspective was that Dalian doesn't really have any character that they identify with, it doesn't really have any "Dalian feeling." Maybe it's just the sterile conrete and lack of landmarks, or neato historical spots.

But for example, Qingdao has it's beer and germanness.
Harbin has it's beer and Ice festival and russianness.
Dandong has north korea.

Dalian doesn't really have anything to set itself apart.
No particular mood or atmosphere.
And thus, it doesn't feel like home, no matter how long you've been here.

(Just one take on it)

Cici · 2 years ago

I am a person from Dalian, I agree what you said about the local people don't accept newcomers, but compare other cities which cities's size smaler like Dalian, who will say they are sure that their cities more open than Dalian. And you made a mistake about we are close with Japanese, actually we like korea much more than Japanese. We hate Japan's goverment but we don't treat Japanese bad, because the Japanese who are in Dalian, they didn't kill people, most of them are nice too, this way enough to shows Dalian people more open than other cities.Even we don't like Japan goverment, but we know most Japanese in Dalian they are not goverment officer, they'er just nomal person, don't judge a person by their nationality. Doesn't matter where people come from, they are nice, we treat them nice, they're not nice, we will not treat them nice either!

Chris · 2 years ago

Rick,
The issue of short history did come up a bit, but most of the comments I heard were about people. Even a friend from Shanghai said Dalian people suck. Again, that could be just mutual snobbery.

Cici,
My students brought up the Japanese; I'm just passing it along. I've certainly heard local people say nasty things about Japan, too. I found it interesting that non-Dalianese thought local people were more "Japan-friendly," and viewed this as a bad thing.

chriswaugh_bj · 2 years ago

You make Dalian sound like every other city in China.

Actually, my wife and I were in Dalian last May Day and we were very impressed with the local environment and people. Of course, we were only there for a week, but that short time and our limited dealings with the locals left us with a very good impression of the city and its people.

Kim · 2 years ago

By "too friendly with the Japanese" they might mean that there are a lot of Japanese clubs in Dalian where Japanese gentlemen can go and "mingle" with Chinese ladies. I don't know. Otherwise, I can't imagine what they are talking about. Is it "friendly" to allow Japanese businesses to open up here? Is it because they don't march thru the streets denouncing Japan? Maybe you could ask those students/outsiders of yours to expand on what they mean. I find it an interesting topic anyway!

Ray · 2 years ago

I am working in Beijing,but not from around here,Athough I've just lived here for less than half an year,I think beijingnese are a little bit more friendly than shanghainese.all we know is that shanghai is the most modernest city of chinese,it should be the economic center of china,maybe it's because of that,the shanghainese are always having more superiority complex,and look down upon the newcomers so that the ppl from other cities can't never feel like home .I never been to Dalian,but I have been to many other cities on the south of China,I prefer Hangzhou,it's a beautiful city,and local ppl are friendly with newcomers,the girls are always very hot,maybe not as tall as Dalian girls,I bet their skins must be more healthy,nicer and whiter than Dalian girls'.Chinese perverb says “自古江南出美女”,I don't know the standard translation,if I translate it literally,it could be"Jiang Nan produces cuties from of old"I quite think the most beauties are from the south of China.

Chris · 2 years ago

Chris Waugh,
Like I said, Dalian has treated me well, for the most part. Actually, one way I usually spot out of towners is by their utter shock at seeing foreigners about. Most Dalianren are used to laowai.

Kim,
I tried to get more detail on the Japan claim but all that came out was fuzz, the usual bit about history, and a few more assertions of distaste.

Ray,
I haven't spent enough time in Beijing to make a proper comparison, and I have never been to Shanghai, I'm sorry to say. Shanghai's reputation for producing first-rate snobs does precede it far and wide, though.

China Law Blog · 2 years ago

Based on just a few visits to Dalian and on working on a few matters with lawyers there, I do get the sense that the city is more open to Japanese businesses than elsewhere in China. The lawyers in Dalian speak approvingly/proudly of Japanese businesses liking their city, while the lawyers in other Chinese cities seem proud to reject Japanese business. Dalian definitely has more than its share of striking women.

Kim · 2 years ago

@ Chris Thanks for trying anyway! It'shard to get beyond the fuzz,you'd need at least an hour long informal chat about it and you can't do that in lessons obviously.

@China Law Blog Well, I wonder if you could help out a Japanese owned Indian curry restaurant called Abashi Curry who opened up recently and have been shut down twice for ridiculous and obviously trumped up reasons? I don't know who they pissed off or how, but everyone agrees it's not fair. If you manage to help them I will thank you eternally because I love curry and naan and because it's 5 minutes walk from my flat!

China Law Blog · 2 years ago

Kim --

That curry restaurant would probably be best served by retaining local Chinese counsel.

kelly · 2 years ago

大连很干净啊～但是我觉得随地吐痰真的很让人难以忍受｀我在学校里找不到吃东西的地方．．．快两年了也不能习惯，从早到晚翻胃｀｀
如果大连人能代表大部分的北方人，那我真要说，还是我们南方好～可能有些偏激，嘿嘿．．．我家在的是一个小地方，但是也没有人随地吐痰（当然也不是一味宣扬环保好，还是没有大连街道干净～），我很想知道他们是从小就习惯了么｀｀

lakson · 2 years ago

The picture,where is it?