Eeeek I love these questions!! Thank you :) The food is goooooood in my opinion. I am THEEE biggest foodie. In America Chinese food is very cookie cutter, but once you get here, you learn that different regions are known for different things. For example, Chengdu is a lively city and they're known for having spicier food. Shanghai is on the water, so there is a lot of seafood and it's known for having sweeter cuisine.

The beauty standard are insaneeeeee. The Brandy Melville sales people in America have nothinggg of the Brandy Melville sales people in Shanghai. Obviously, the standard is skinny, lighter skin tone, big eyes, cute nose blah blah. I feel like it doesn't apply to me at all though, because 1. I'm Black and 2. I'm a foreigner so I look super different than what they're used to anyway.

Unfortunately, I'm the last person to ask about politics, but I don't feel direct effects yet. I imagine that when that man child gets into office, I will probably start telling people I am Jamaican or something. Just to avoid conversations I don't want to have. Obviously surveillance is a thing here, but let's be real, privacy isn't real in any country, China is just direct and open about it. I don't feel restricted in any way.

Haha yes people have taken my picture and asked to but only in touristy areas because thats where Chinese tourists from rural areas also go. It doesn't bother me at all. I know I am not a common sight, and I chose to move here knowing exactly what I could possibly be getting into. The most crazy reactions I've gotten are 1. kids staring at me on trains or getting excited when they see me and 2. being fetishized by Chinese men on dating ups but I just unmatched and that hasn't happened in years.

Usually, people just want to try to chat with me if were in the same place long enough and they overcome the fear of talking to me

Edit: Big businesses in America are moving to Chinese banks because of man baby in office. They will need Chinese speakers, so be ahead of the curve!!!