CHECKLIST:
Experienced one of the most popular activities in China, KTV.

The London Taxi Company - Typically black cabs but also blue, purple, red and white that are being shipped all over the world from China.
Fengxian is over half an hour outside Songjiang, with many of the migrant workers and locals not knowing much about the Western world. Foreigners have been working at the factory for a few years now but a female foreigner walking around the factory well that certainly turned many heads. Leigh invited me to his factory and work dinner as many of his workers had only seen female foreigners on the TV.
"Lindsey do these shoes go with this top?" I needed to make sure I looked okay, I was going to be representing all of the English females out there! Many hours later after too much lethal rice wine and many songs at KTV, I had apparently done my country proud according to Leigh, who every day after had comments about 'how great Emma is' Word spread around the factory about this fun red head who could drink well Chinese men and another dinner was to be organised. The dinner had over 15 people coming, some of whom Leigh had never been out with before until he informed them I couldn't make it as I had to work "Oh, well it cancel it then!" and that was that, no Emma, no meal! I thought it was quite sweet =)

KTV - Karaoke Television

63, 858 hospitals
3,400 KFCs
759 McDonalds
390 Starbucks
add all of these up and they still don't make up for the number of KTV's spread across China - approximately 100,000!

Bright flashing lights entice you from the outside entering an environment far from our karaoke venues in Irish bars in the UK. Short skirts and pretty faced girls make two lines to greet and escort you to a private, sound proof, shady room. Each room contains a large television, 2 micro phones, a round central table covered with beer and snacks and a comfy, around the room sofa.

At first I couldn't understand how going to a small room and singing in front of everyone was going to be fun. "Our culture values the cultivation of self-restraint. People are not encouraged to be aggressive and show individuality. But, in KTV clubs, they can unleash themselves and perform anything they want. It's a way to relax. Chinese people also tend to shoulder pressure internally instead of turning to others for help. It's a good way to vent their emotions, whether it be depression, pressure, happiness or aspirations. Singing can help express various emotions."
But obviously after a few drinks I WAS Gloria Gaynor and loving it!

You all sit around and take it in the turns to sing from the limited choice of English songs available. Come the early hours of the morning, singing slows down and the rooms become private clubs with us and the Chinese partying between random rooms.
That's the innocent side of KTV…
The girls who are lined at the door are waiting to be picked for a fee depending on what is required from them. This could be a companion for the night to sing with, a hostess to open and pour drinks, sexual favours in the VIP rooms or depending on how much is paid, to be taken home after singing.

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