Walking Tour of Night market in Liuzhou China

[@Erin-te8bl]

I wouldn't eat any street food or markets in China 😆. Best to be safe. I'd my own shopping go prepare and cook it at home there.

[@China_small_cities_record]

You’re very wise, especially now that China's economy isn't doing well. Many unemployed people are flocking to night markets as newcomers, making safety and hygiene even more questionable.

[@jon_nomad]

I think you underestimated roadside stall businesses. My wife's parents were street vendors in HongKong who sent a son and my wife (their daughter) to US universities. I think I have met probably 50 people who have or are supporting their children studying overseas.

[@China_small_cities_record]

I also know street vendors like that, but I'm not sure what level one needs to reach in Hong Kong to achieve that success. In mainland China, you need to be somewhat popular to make it work. So, it's important to stay passionate and present yourself cleanly, and to put your heart into it. Given the current poor economic situation in China, many people might just be entering this industry temporarily. I've seen more failures than successes; many give up because they find it too hard to make money. Especially during tough economic times, when the unemployed turn to this business, there's more competition, and the government becomes more eager to issue fines.

[@jon_nomad]

@@China_small_cities_record I moved from the US to Southeast Asia 34 years ago. Most of the vendors I mentioned are mostly here in Southeast Asia which have a lower or similar standard of living compared to China. These people can have children paying extra to study in the US, while Americans have to take-up loans to study lower domestic tuition fees. That says a lot. Sometimes white or blue collar jobs do not guarantee financial stability as compared to being entrepreneurl. Like what the Chinese here in Malaysia always say... Looking good does not mean it taste good.

[@China_small_cities_record]

You make a very good point-once people experience that kind of success, there's no turning back. But first, they have to be willing to try. That's why I have great respect for those who continuously adapt to their environment. The grilled pork skewers on the streets of Bangkok, and the suki and pork leg rice at Chiang Mai’s North Gate night market-many people miss these after leaving. China's economy is different now compared to the past; the economic structure has changed. With the economic downturn, a large number of unemployed people have flooded into the night markets. As Chinese people become poorer, high-end restaurants are closing down one after another, replaced by countless new affordable small restaurants. The demand has shifted, and people are turning to cheaper options. They also engage in fierce price competition on the internet-what used to be $1 for a bowl of rice noodles is now only $0.5. They are just trying to capture the market quickly through subsidies. So, in the past year, every day you see different small restaurants or vendors appear and then disappear. It's natural for consumers to become more demanding-if you can't win repeat customers, you'll disappear quickly.

[@jon_nomad]

@@China_small_cities_record Same phenomenon here too. The only difference is that it's the Chinese diaspora in all of Southeast Asia that is still thriving. I often wonder why as to that for many years.

[@China_small_cities_record]

Overseas Chinese typically originate from the Guangdong and Fujian regions of China. Many people from my hometown began migrating to Southeast Asia and the Americas as early as the 1920s. The primary reason for migration was poverty, as their hometowns were mountainous areas with little land to support them. My grandfather's younger brother was the most successful because he diversified his efforts. He first went to Mexico and then to the United States, and the love of his life was a Mexican woman. Their descendants are now middle-class in the United States. Hard work is just the basic condition for success. He often reminded us to live with dignity; no matter how tough life gets, when you step out, you should always be dressed neatly and appropriately so that others won’t look down on you. Integrity was also something they valued because living overseas wasn’t easy. The Chinese community in Guangdong had to stick together to survive. If someone cheated others, the news would quickly spread throughout the Guangdong Chinese community. Of course, I'm talking about the past, and I'm not sure about the current situation. However, these beliefs align with psychological principles: if you appear successful and are genuinely honest and trustworthy, people will believe in you, greatly increasing your chances of success. Of course, the most important thing is to share risks-wherever you are, you can’t be selfish; you must integrate into different environments. So, I believe that the reason why those Chinese people have greater resilience is that they take a long-term view. The concept of harmony between heaven and humanity is an important part of Chinese culture. However, this requires continuous and diligent personal cultivation. Success is always easy to see, while those who fail are often overlooked.

[@liuzhou]

This is nothing new. There have been these markets in Liuzhou for 30 years that I know of - probably much longer.