I'd say I have a happy life here in Kunming, but harmonious? Hmmm...
The never-ending noise really gets on my nerves at times. For example, the two chemist shops over the road from my flat who seem to compete with each other using automatic megaphones to blast out their latest deals, over and over again. More than once I've gone across and simply disconnected their machines, shouting at the owner that I can't sleep, work or hear my TV! It's most unlike me to be so aggressive! They usually turn the speakers back on after I've left, though often at a lower volume for a while at least. And the other day, the blare from the shops was joined by a placard-waving shop assistants parading down the street to advertise some deal or other [see photo]. Strangely, a lot of Chinese people I've spoken to about this say they really enjoy the noise, the hustle, the bustle and the packed crowds, saying it's all part of an "exciting shoppping experience". Must be just me then!
The never-ending noise really gets on my nerves at times. For example, the two chemist shops over the road from my flat who seem to compete with each other using automatic megaphones to blast out their latest deals, over and over again. More than once I've gone across and simply disconnected their machines, shouting at the owner that I can't sleep, work or hear my TV! It's most unlike me to be so aggressive! They usually turn the speakers back on after I've left, though often at a lower volume for a while at least. And the other day, the blare from the shops was joined by a placard-waving shop assistants parading down the street to advertise some deal or other [see photo]. Strangely, a lot of Chinese people I've spoken to about this say they really enjoy the noise, the hustle, the bustle and the packed crowds, saying it's all part of an "exciting shoppping experience". Must be just me then!
