I am used to leaving at least one foot of space between myself and others around me. So my personal space is defined by a circle with a three-foot diameter. This personal space has often proven to be too large for China. Whether it is in hospitals, pharmacies, or super-markets, I've repeatedly had Chinese customers cutting in queue right in front of me. When I point out to them that they should go to the end of the line, they reply, "Then why did you leave so much space in front of you? I thought you weren't part of the queue!"

(selected from 101 Stories for Foreigners to Understand Chinese People by Yi S. Ellis and Bryan D. Ellis, published by China Intercontinental Press in 2012)