CHINA Commuter

1. Read a book, or a newspaper...

Regardless of my issues with Kissinger, this will always be my favoured public transport passtime. If, like me, you spend the majority of your working day staring into a computer screen, then a little bit of digital downtime can be a godsend. For many of us in China, English books and foreign newspapers are hard to come by, and we spend the majority of our reading downtime in the enclaves of an ebook (or mobile phone). In this case, regular trips to major metropolitan hubs, like Shanghai and Hong Kong, are an opportunity to pick up as many real life, comfortably heavy, beautifully bound books.

Many foreign magazines now deliver to China, at a similar rate to their delivery in Europe or America. Take advantage of this. It may seem like an unnecessary expense, but your eyes will thank you for it thirty years down the line.

2. Talk to thy neighbour...

Too many foreigners in China decide against learning the language during their stay here. For those of us who commute every day, each journey brings us into contact with a wealth of different and diverse people. And -- if you live outside major metropolitan city centres -- many of them will be staring at you. Use it!

Though I have often become angry at the brazen stares and barely-concealed glances over my shoulder and into my bag -- what do foreigners eat?! What's on her phone?! -- it is worth trying to take a new approach, and starting up conversation.

Already I have met two old women whose stories I would like to write about -- they were shocked when I asked for their contact numbers before getting of at my station! Several times I've struggled with local accents, but managed to overcome it. On more than one occasion I've been invited to dinner, and politely declined. But at no point has my time been badly spent. By the time you arrive at your station, your confidence is sky high and the journey feels like mere minutes.

3. Get active, and get off early...

Nothing makes a journey feel shorter better than, well, making it shorter! Particularly if you are commuting by bus or metro, walking between stops is far enough to wear you out, but not far enough to make you late. Get off a stop early and walk the extra mile to your destination. A little exercise first thing in the morning can reinvigorate your day of work. If you spend a lot of time at a desk, like me, your mornings can feel lethargic and slow. Getting your heart rate up, even briefly, can help add some energy to an otherwise coffee-dependent Monday morning.  

During typhoon season, however, this may not be the most pleasant of options. In this case, I would recommend skipping the escalators. Horribly crowded and a nightmare to get on in the first place, you won't be missing much by skipping the queue and running up the nice, normal, manual stairs. Some stations in Shanghai and Guangzhou can feel like a workout in themselves, so why not take advantage of this. It's cheaper than a gym membership at any rate. 

If you have anything to add, or have come up with your own commuting entertainment options, let us know in the comments below!

Note: The content of this article does not reflect the official opinion of any unit of the Chinese government. Responsibility for the views expressed in the article lies entirely with the author.

Written by Abbey Heffer