Many foreigners were caught off guard by the water dispenser while riding the rails in China. Instead of the usual options for cold and room temperature water, the machine had only one button for “BOILING HOT WATER”. It is so different from the US, where we find ice-cube dispensers almost on each hotel floor.
Chinese love drinking hot water whatever the weather. They don’t mind burning their tongues every time they take a sip. It is a common belief that hot water is good for one’s digestion and blood flow. It is also seen as a cure-all for ailments from the common cold to diarrhea. Hot water is our “Chinese martinis”.
By the way, China is also the place where one has to specifically order his beer “cold”, not “room temperature” 😊
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/luxuefei_linkedin-china-martinis-activity-6689083040464941056-pL9D