Yesterday, I was watching an American movie and flipped out during one particular scene. It was not the dramatic event or the intense dialogue that caused me to jump up in my seat and point at the TV. No, No. As the family stood in the kitchen talking, I inadvertently observed their surroundings - a kitchen table, the kitchen sink, and in the back corner, what else stood there but AN AMERICAN-SIZED TRASH CAN!! I immediately sat up straight and pointed at the TV, saying to my friend - LOOK! It's a trash can like we have in America!
Now, I know you all think I'm "off my rocker," and I have to say that some days I wonder the same thing : ) But let me do my best to explain just how exciting I think YOUR kitchen trash can is.
Trash cans in China are only large enough to hold several items. This is my kitchen trash can:
It is a mere 12 inches deep and 8 inches wide (smaller than most bathroom trash cans at home). You can imagine how quickly it overflows. I find it incredibly obnoxious because you literally have to take the trash out once a day. It is a total waste of time and energy.
To be fair, there is a very practical purpose that the Chinese use little trash cans. Because you have to take the trash out so frequently, the kitchen/trash never smells. You are forced to dispose of your trash every day so nothing has time to rot.
Regardless, I still think that it is annoying that most things you want to throw away won't even fit in the trash can!
So the next time you walk into your kitchen to take out the trash, rather than thinking about how terrible the trash is, please know that there is someone in China who is coveting your trash can. : )
