One of the things I got to see during my recent visit to China was the ongoing World Expo. Unfortunately, I missed the best pavilions because the queues were just too long, reaching four to six hours each.

 

Every country's pavilion was structured like a tourism speed date. Each was designed to take you through a pre-planned route and introduce you to all its best traits before you're booted out, onto the next candidate.

 

Which brings me to North Korea. I landed up outside the North Korean pavilion because the queue was a mere 20-minute wait.

 

In contrast to the other countries' pavilions which were individual architectural feats, the North Korean pavilion was a nondescript one-level container decorated with a cloud-print tarpaulin.

Inside it seemed almost as empty and devoid of modern living standards as the country's made out to be in the media: a smallish pagoda in the corner with an artificial river (with no water in it) running across. The walls were painted with clouds and an amateurish rainbow on one side.

 

And to the centre, a projection screen displaying clips of people studying and reading, with a large sign hanging above reading "Paradise of People".

 

It made me think of articles like this.

 

It's probably fashionable to run North Korea down right now with its reputation internationally, but the booth smacked of the deluded whitewashing you hear about in the press all the time.

 

There was a woman near the exit showing off paintings and sculptures from the country. Was she really from North Korea? I couldn't believe it. Was she aware that this trip to Shanghai was possibly the last she'd see the outside of her country?

 

I couldn't help but wonder she felt. Flee, I urged her under my breath. Just take up your heels and make a break for it.

Another supposedly authentic Chinese experience was getting to observe the dynamics of queue-cutting.

 

We take queue-jumping most personally in Singapore; when someone cuts in front of you, they are deliberately taking advantage of you, spotting your docility and stomping on your honour.

 

But in China, it's fair game. Turn to look at your watch and five people will suddenly materialise in front of you. But here's the thing—you get to cut them back when you get the chance, no hard feelings.

 

I realised this a number of times at the Expo, and I understand now why you read complaints of Chinese nationals queueing with their chests pressed to your back when they come here.

 

This video will probably illustrate the concept a lot better. It shows how people will make a mad dash to fill a space once the gates open, just so they can be first in line. The second wave of rushers in the clip includes some old people, as well.

 

 

It's like horses breaking out of their gates.

 

But this guy at the airport, he was relentless. At every point the guy in front of me moved forward, he'd try to cut in front by sticking his arm or shoe in my path.