China officially has 1,354,040,000 people, making it the most populated country with 19.2% of the world's population.
In comparison, the United States has 4.46% and Canada has .49%. We are next to Uganda on the population list.
This was a concern to me, since most would know that I like/need my personal space and never go where crowds are.
I can report, that it has been manageable.
To be truthful about it, the overwhelming number was a shock and something that had to be adapted to.
Instead of hundreds on a crowded shopping street, there can be tens of thousands. It can be daunting to just walk
down a narrow street in some parts of the city. Since we are living in a city with a population of 20 to 30 million, the force
of the numbers is more apparent than in a smaller city. (Yes, the population spread is because the numbers are merely a guess
since many migrants come to work in warm and busy Guangzhou.)
China has a vast countryside and wilderness where the experience would be completely different.
But here in Guangzhou, having people everywhere all the time is a fact of life.
The Chinese seem to manage this very well. The metro (subway) is a good illustration. At peak hours, there are
literally a few million people using the system and the subway cars are crowded to capacity. Standing room only.
You are swept along with the tide. The most interesting thing is that you are never touched, or almost never. Everyone simply
moves along without elbows, or shoving, or pushing. There is not only physical distance and politeness. I have never
heard an impatient word in the metro. This is amazing because, budging in line is standard even though
the metro security attendants try to keep order with metal fences, gates and blow horns. Everyone moves with surprising
tolerance, and it works. It is probably obvious that a stampede would be a disaster. Plus, the Chinese culture is naturally
very polite and patient.
To my way of assessing the huge population, the Chinese have the ability to isolate themselves when in a crowd, which is most of the time.
You see behaviour that would appear odd in Canada. People practicing tai chi is one. Another common sight is someone talking
loudly on a cell phone, as if no one is around. This happens in Canada, but in China it is much louder and without any social
inhibitions at all. People are in an isolated, little world and this is necessary in a city where there is very little
private space. They are able to create their own private spaces wherever they are.
By the way, Cantonese speakers, who are the majority in our city, have an animated and loud conversation style.
It reminds me of listening to Italian speakers. You wonder, "Are they having an argument?" They aren't!
This is a stereotype, but will ring true to those of us who have grown up with Chinese friends at school and in our little, prairie communities.
Most were Cantonese speakers.
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