Chinacovers large areas and has a great population. Different living habits havealways been an interesting topic in the country. Recently, another differencebetween southern Chinese and northern Chinese became a hot one: The way peopleshop at markets.

Peoplefrom southern China say that they always buy what they need for just one or twomeals. It is normal for them to buy half of a Chinese cabbage, two potatoes and0.25 kilograms of beef at a time.

However,one may be laughed at if he does this in the north. Instead, buying vegetablesand meat enough for a week is usual.

Also,you can buy a small amount(数量) offruit, such as a single apple or pear, each time in the south. Shopkeepers evenhelp you peel( 去 皮 ) and cut them. But shopkeepers inthe north hardly offer such service. And many fruits are sold in baskets andboxes.The difference could bedue tothe different weather.

Foodcan be kept for a long time in the north, as it is usually cold and dry there.Many northern Chinese have the habit of keeping food, especially for the longwinter. But the hot and wet weather in the south makes southern Chinese buyjust enough food for one meal or one day, or else the food may go bad.