Old China Books: Chinese Are Most Excellent Cooks
Title: The Travelers’ Handbook for China
Author: Carl Crow
Year published: 1913
Interesting quotes:
“At the time this is written, the whole social fabric of China is undergoing a change and Western ideas are gaining ground rapidly, so what is written about the customs of the people can only be historical.”
pg. 54 chapter The Chinese People
Back then the social fabric of China was undergoing change? IT STILL IS!!!
“A Chinese would not think of asking one for the payment of money which was loaned him, but would ask for a “return loan.” A Chinese servant will not quit his master’s employ, but will ask for leave to visit the tomb of his father, and not return. Perhaps in no other country is one’s standing and reputation valued so highly. The Chinese expression, “to lose face,” signifies the worst punishment that cna happen to a Chinese. If he fails to pay his debts on the settlement time at New Years, he has lost face, and thereafter he is a ruined man. Failures to do anything one attepts to do involves a loss of face which is one of the reasons why Chinese with initiative and powers of decision are so rare. They are inspired by extreme caution in everything and, whether in business or literature, prefer to stick to the old and well tried methods, in which there is the least risk.”
pg. 63 chapter The Chinese People
Carl Crow was truly a knowledgeable man! He really knew the Chinese!
“The first principle of Chinese cookery is that everythig must be thoroughly cooked, a wise precaution in a country where the fields take the place of sewers. The foreign method of serving large pieces of meat at the table is very repulsive to the Chinese, who say that foreigners “make the table their butcher shop.” All the food is cut into small pieces in the kitchen and when served can be handled with chopsticks. The Chinese are really most excellent cooks, and the first dislike for Chinese food is soon forgotten by the foreigner. Many missionaries abandon foreign food entirely for the Chinese, which they soon grow to prefer. Rice is the staple article of diet, but the list of dishes offered at a Chinese restaurant is a very long one, including everything foreigners eat, and a great deal more beside. An ordinary Chinese dinner will consist of 60 to 70 courses, and will end with soup. Among the strangest dishes, to a foreigner, will be birds nest soup, sharks fins, and eggs which have been pickled in lime until they are black with age. China has many native fruits with which the foreigner has been glad to become acquainted.”
pg. 63 chapter The Chinese People
I could add a few more of the “Strangest dishes” list. Could you?
“Transportation: In the treaty ports, the ricksha is the most popular means of getting about. The first class rickshas in the principal cities are equipped with rubber tires, and are very comfortable. The charges vary in each place but amount to about 40 cents an hour, 80 cents a half day, or $1.50 for a whole day…. Never make the mistake of asking the coolie what the fare should be. He will immediately know that you are a stranger and demand five times the legal fare. If you over-pay him your reputation for prodigality will soon spread, and you will be bothered during your entire stay by excessive demands.”
pg. 15 chapter Practical Information
I would love to know how much it costs now to hire a underground taxi for a day. 100 yuan? 200 yuan? 1,000 yuan?
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