[Sangetsu]

If you are really studying "Daoism", then you probably know that the things which go on in the world around should have know affect on the things going on inside you. You would learn more by staying where you are, happiness is not a place which exists outside yourself.

Japan is a more materialistic place than America, where even poor housewives and struggling university students go without food so they can afford a Louis Vuitton bag, or a new iPhone.

China is such a dirty place that I cough for several days after leaving, and the Chinese are no less materialistic, they just have less money to buy things with.

Between the two, I would much prefer Japan, where manners are important and are followed, rather than China where people will cut in front of you or even push you out of line at the train or bus station.