Hardworking Chinese men of Sichuan!

One of the interesting sights in Sichuan is the “bung bung” man.

The bung bung man in Chongqing is a porter who will carry goods using a bamboo stick across his shoulders.

It is quite amazing what they carry. Not only do they carry normal size packages but I have seen TVs, fridges, other electrical appliances and furniture carried.



Many rural workers who migrate to the cities carry out this work.

You will find many in Chongqing. One reason is that Chongqing is very hilly and so people like to hire bung bung men to carry their goods.

It is very hard work. You see the younger men doing the heavier tasks and getting paid more for it.

Older men tend to congregate around supermarkets and railway stations for lighter work.

A friend of mine moved apartments in Chongqing. She hired several Bung Bung men to move all her furniture.

You will find the bung bung man wherever there is the requirement to carry something such as at a supermarket, railway station or bus depot.

Many Chinese men create small businesses.

The following Chinese man runs a furniture making business in Chongqing. This is a prime example of how the Chinese economy has evolved into a free market entrepreneurial one.

This Chinese entrepreneur in Chongqing is a small business man.

He owns a small factory where he employs about ten workers.

They make replica Chinese furniture which is sold in Chongqing but also exported overseas.

In many ways this typifies the Chinese economic miracle.

In Sichuan I saw many examples of small flourishing businesses. Shops, stalls and restaurants are plentiful - often packed together in a small area

Businesses also seem to be very fluid - coming and going. Shops appeared almost overnight and sometimes disappeared just as quickly with something new appearing soon after.

Many Chinese men like to socialize and drink.

Have a look at typical Chinese restaurant in Chengdu and Chongqing. You will see many tables with groups of Chinese eating and drinking.

Invariably you will see the Chinese shouting and toasting each other. The noise level is high and gets higher as the evening progresses.

A Chinese man once told me that they drink alcohol to become more relaxed and enjoy themselves. It is an accepted custom to drink at a meal and become noisy and less inhibited as the meal progresses.

Most likely you will be asked to drink alcohol when you dine with your Chinese friends.

If you do not want to – say so right up front. The Chinese will usually respect your wishes.

But if you do drink – BE CAREFUL! There could be a continuous round of toasts or drinking games.

If you can out drink them - good - you will gain their respect.

Know what you are drinking. Some of the Chinese spirits are pretty potent!

Even though most of the drinking I did was with Chinese men, some of the Chinese women were pretty good drinkers too!

I drank beer which was easier than drinking spirits. However you may not always get out of it!

Be prepared for a few headaches!