The Chinese people had invented the compass, paper, the printing press, gunpowder, the seismograph, the crossbow, and the umbrella; they had sailed to Africa in the fifteenth century; they had constructed the Great Wall; over the past decade they had built their economy at a rate never before seen in the developing world. They could return a rental car with exactly three-eighths of a tank of gas, but filling it was apparently beyond the realm of cultural possibility.
The Chinese civilization has a rich history of remarkable inventions and achievements, including the compass, paper, gunpowder, and the printing press. These innovations underscore their advanced understanding of technology and infrastructure, exemplified by monumental projects like the Great Wall and global explorations as early as the fifteenth century. In recent years, China has experienced unprecedented economic growth, becoming a pivotal player in the developing world.
Despite these advancements, there seems to be a cultural quirk highlighted by the author, Peter Hessler, in his book "Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory." He notes that while the Chinese can efficiently handle various complexities, some everyday tasks, like refilling gas before returning a rental car, appear to remain outside their cultural practices or norms.
