TIC

TIC, an abbreviation of "This Is China". Adapted from the repeated line from the 2006 movie Blood Diamond, "TIA: This Is Africa", used as a universal catch-all excuse for anything unpleasant that happens to any of the characters simply because the events took place in Africa.

If you come from a western country like the USA, Canada, UK etc., you should always remember and bear in mind that China is a developing country. Although Shanghai is pretty much as modern and westernised as China gets, it is still China, and there are still some things that will annoy or inconvenience you. Get used to knowing that there's little or nothing you can do about it. Learn to shrug, smile, and accept it. TIC.

Often, seemingly simple procedures are wrapped in an extra layer of bureaucracy and therefore take far longer to complete than in other countries. TIC.

Sometimes you will have what some expats call a "bad China day" (generally when 2 or more unrelated TIC experiences happen on the same day): this is inevitable and you just need to put up with it. TIC.

If you're accustomed to using the internet in a country where it isn't blocked at a national level, then you are going to find the internet in China to be a slow, extremely frustrating experience. You need to learn to deal with this, because it isn't going to change any time soon no matter how much you complain about it. TIC.

China is a different culture from the west and has only recently opened up to the international community. Things are developing very quickly, but they are still very different here. People will act and react differently to different things. You cannot directly apply the systems or logic of your home country to China. Maybe things are better or easier where you're from, but you're the visitor here and you have to put up or shut up. TIC.

Be especially wary of TIC when considering issues such as the internet, hygiene, spitting in the street, manners and etiquette, queueing, etc.

Living in China is an experience, and like living anywhere else, it is not always an entirely pleasant one. Remember to celebrate the good points about living in a vast, interesting city like Shanghai, rather than focusing on the negatives. You may find that you enjoy and appreciate your time here much more with a positive outlook, and the ability to accept that some things are beyond your control.

Please do not come and vent about your TIC issues on /r/shanghai. It's a great place to discuss and get solutions for specific issues you might be having, but it is not a place for bursts of anti-China sentiment, no matter how cathartic it may be to rant.