Illustration: Luo Xuan/GT

There is an old saying that goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Although globalization has made the world much smaller, foreigners living abroad still find themselves faced with cultural differences that can gradually reshape the way they live, act and even think.

On zhihu.com (China's version of quora.com), foreigners have recently been describing some of those changes, submitting their answers to the question, "What are some of the changes foreigners experience after coming to China?"

Here are some highlights from Zhihu users.

Negar Kordi, who describes herself as a mixed race person with Iranian and Canadian roots, lives in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province.

She commented: "There are many foreigners in my city, and whenever I see one, I stare at them, and say in my head, 'Look, laowai!'

"I visit Caoliu [a Chinese adult website] sometimes when I have nothing to do. Shame…

"I like eating hotpot, stinky tofu, bubble milk tea and jianbing.

"I play League of Legends together with my classmates.

"I like going to KTV and watching Hunan Satellite TV [famous for its entertainment shows] every Friday.

"I become excited when I hear China's national anthem."

Lily Kim, a South Korean woman who has lived in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province and Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, for three years wrote: "I have no time for breakfast before classes in the morning so I often go to the canteen to buy bread and chocolate, which is very cheap.

"I started humming songs while walking down the street after being told by my Chinese friends that China has such a huge population that no one cares what other people are doing. [Back in Korea] I would be too embarrassed to sing while walking down the road - I'd be afraid of other people thinking I'm crazy.

"I also don't wear makeup when I go to school. You can show up looking casual and no one cares. In South Korea, college girls always dress very carefully and put on makeup before going to school. 

"I play badminton outside when the weather is good. Chinese college students often play sports on campus after dinner in the evening.

"I wear hard lens (contact lenses) less frequently, because it hurts a lot whenever sand is blown into my eyes. You can't take out the lens while walking in the wind.

"I take taxis more often, as they are less expensive than in South Korea.

"Small restaurants don't offer free dishes such as pickles. In South Korea, we can order just one or two dishes because we get so many free sides, but in China we have to order three or four dishes.

"I unconsciously insist on including the number eight when buying things related to numbers, such as a mobile number."

Several Chinese users, like Uni Shaojiu, Yaofeiren and Starknight, also wrote answers for their foreign friends:

"Crossing at red lights."

"Getting used to the fact that other people are staring at you because you're a foreigner."

"Not wearing neckties to work."

"Scheduling business appointments via text message or WeChat message."

Have you experienced changes like this in your life as well? We would also like to hear your two cents!

This article was published on the Global Times Metropolitan section Two Cents page, a space for reader submissions, including opinion, humor and satire. The ideas expressed are those of the author alone, and do not represent the position of the Global Times.