Not Knocking Beijing, Just a Pure Rant (No Hard Feelings!)

[Maryann Daniel IV]

Here's a translation of the article into English, maintaining both its details and emotional tone:

Ah, when it comes to traveling, the goal is to have fun and enjoy oneself. However, sometimes unexpected incidents occur that can leave one baffled. For all those planning to visit China, especially at crowded touristic sites, here’s a heads up:

• Encounter with a Uniquely Unique Bathroom in the Summer Palace:

  • One day I found myself at the Summer Palace, a super famous imperial garden in Beijing where the scenery is truly breathtaking. After sightseeing, I needed a washroom break and saw a parent trying to push their child to the front of the queue, saying, "My child can't hold it anymore, could we please go first?"
  • A parent with a child who was already at the front of the queue politely reminded her, "Everyone has children, don’t they? Everyone is waiting in line!"
  • Take note: Many popular tourist attractions, particularly places like the Summer Palace, can get very crowded. It’s common that people have to wait their turn at the restrooms. Individuals who try to cut in aren't usually well tolerated since people tend to queue up respectfully.

• A Special Treatment While Watching the Flag-raising Ceremony at Tiananmen Square:

  • In order to witness the grand ceremony of the raising national flag early in the morning (a very solemn ceremony with many people waiting overnight), I started queuing as early as 10 pm of the previous day.
  • With an hour to go before the ceremony, a parent pushed their child in front of me saying, “Can my kid stand in front of yours? It’s just a child, a small one.”
  • Guess what happened next? After observing other parents, soon four more kids were squeezed into my front space as well.
  • Take note: Flag-raising on the Tiananmen Square is one of the most sought-after sights. Waiting people form long lines during this time. Some parents might take advantage of their kids' young age to try cutting in line. If it doesn’t bother you, that’s fine; however, if it does, you can let them know directly to prevent others from following suite.

• Evasion Tactics on the Badaling Cable Car Queue:

  • At the Badaling Great Wall (the most famous section), while waiting in line for the cable car going up the mountain, one child suddenly darted through the front of the queue.
  • Then their parent walked over and started, "Sorry, I need to go past my kid – he is already at the front."
  • Take note: During holidays, there’re also many people queuing at the Great Wall to catch a cable car ride. Keeping an eye on your children and not using their misbehavior as an excuse to jump the queue is something to keep in mind.

• Also, waiting in line for the national flag-raising - when almost my pants “suffered” too:

  • During our wait, a child behind me repeatedly kicked my legs and pants. At first, I thought it might just be unintentional on their part.
  • But after so many kicks, I couldn’t take it anymore and turned around to say to the parent, “Sorry, would it be possible for you to control your kid’s leg movements? He has been kicking my leg multiple times during the wait; are you planning to wash my pants?”
  • With that said, the annoying kicking ceased.
  • Take note: In places with high foot traffic, unexpected collisions might occur. If someone intrudes and disrupts your enjoyment, politely but directly communicate it to the person concerned. Most of the time, such reminders will lead to improved behavior.

[Christina Altenwerth]

I've experienced this with kids cutting in line for the restroom. Once, while I was queuing with my daughter, a woman tried to cut in front with her child. I told her to queue up. The woman behind me said, 'Kids don't need to queue.' I replied, 'Why not? Doesn't everyone here with kids have to wait?' The woman then sheepishly went to the back, saying, 'Oh, I didn't see you had a child.' My daughter asked why they didn't queue, and I said loudly, 'Don't be like them, they have no manners.' Then the woman behind me offered, 'You can go ahead of me, I'm not in a hurry.' I thought to myself, 'What on earth?'

[Johnathan Schmeler]

Parents from out of town often lack manners, and they raise their kids the same way.

[Kristopher Schultz PhD]

I've experienced this... Queuing at the National Museum, a child was like, 'Mom's up front,' and squeezed in. Then a parent behind said, 'My kid's up front too,' and let their child cut in as well.

[Jo Douglas]

This is pretty standard now. Ever since things opened up after the pandemic, I don't even dare take my kids out on holidays. If you try to follow the rules, you just end up getting frustrated.

[Howard Legros]

Bratty kids paired with terrible parents. What kind of people the parents are, that's what their kids become.

[Lucille Borer]

Those who are willing to let others cut in line should give up their own spots and go to the back. Let's see how many 'saints' are left then...

[Tanya Bogisich IV]

Exactly! We were standing there perfectly fine, and they just had to squeeze past us. The kid was really pushing too, and it's awkward to tell off a child.

[Ken Fahey]

Usually, the ones cutting in line are people from out of town with terrible manners (no offense intended).