Shopping at a supermarket in China is completely different! Russian travel blogger: "I was utterly stunned!"

Buying groceries at an ordinary Chinese supermarket feels like an adventure—and I love it!

Published on May 24 by Russia's First Russian People.

Going to the supermarket is usually a routine: grab a shopping basket, pick out items, check out, and head home.

But in China, it’s entirely different.

Travel blogger Yelena shared that local stores feel like special adventures.

The first thing that catches your eye is the massive staff presence.

Each product category has its own "promoter"—middle-aged women loudly praising products and urging customers to buy them.

Even if there’s no one around, you’ll still hear a small loudspeaker repeatedly playing: "Sweet, sweet, sweet melon—so sweet!"

More importantly—in China, you can try almost anything for free.

The author stood in front of a seaweed potato chip counter, unsure which flavor to choose, when the store employee proactively opened the can and offered her a taste.

Fruits are often pre-cut, making it easy for customers to sample before buying.

Fish is cleaned and sliced, ducks are prepared, ready to be plated.

There are also ready-made soup packs and hot pot ingredients, as well as fish already prepped for direct grilling.

Another interesting detail: at certain counters, you can even haggle over prices.

Moreover, many items go on sale in the evening—not just deli or baked goods, but meat, ground meat, and fruits too. Therefore, shopping later in the day is much more economical, the author points out.

Another delightful perk: gifts are frequently given during shopping—cutlery, coupons, or other merchandise.

Sometimes there are guaranteed prize draws: spend 200 yuan and get a ticket—you might win 1,000 yuan, or nothing at all. But it’s still incredibly fun.

Thus, Chinese supermarkets are far more than just places to buy groceries.

They’re spaces where customers are warmly welcomed, entertained, persuaded, gifted, and treated to a shopping experience optimized for maximum enjoyment.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866018213934087/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.