Chinese New Year Dilemma

brenn

I have been living in the south of China for the last few months. My family have decided to visit China and travel here during the week of the spring festival as well as the week after, despite the fact that I strongly advised against this several times. My mother has also decided to bring her friend, who wants to visit Harbin as she had booked tickets to go there with her husband shortly before he died. They expect me to come with them and do everything for them, as I am the only one with (limited) Chinese. I am a very anxious person and don't know what to do as they are planning to book flights very soon. I really don't want to travel within China during this period, and as I am a student I don't want to spend a load of money for clothes for Harbin as I will freeze if I go with the clothes I currently have (I don't even own a coat). However, the situation is of course now emotionally charged due to my mams friend's situation. Spring festival is a really bad time to travel within China, especially as none of them have been in China before, and I am at my wits end. I'm considering ringing them and begging them to change their plans. Any advice?

whomitconcerns

Tell them it's a bad time to travel. They won't want to come if it's going to be insane everywhere. Which it will be!!

brenn

whomitconcerns wrote: »

Tell them it's a bad time to travel. They won't want to come if it's going to be insane everywhere. Which it will be!!

I've tried telling them multiple times but they won't listen, which is why I'm at my wits end

Peregrinus

Then tell them that you are not prepared to travel at spring festival time, and if they want you to come to Harbin with them they will have to come at a different time of the year.

_Brian

What they are planning is nothing short of madness.
Even Chinese nationals find moving round at this time terribly difficult.

whomitconcerns

if they dont speak chinese they wont want to travel on their own at that age as mentioned above make sure they know its the same as being stuck in the queue at brown thomas stephens day sale as the doors open...but all day...and in chinese...If that doesnt convince them...let them go on their own!

imme

Sorry to hear about your plight OP.

Sounds like they are being very unfair to you.

Maybe a broader forum than 'travel' is warranted for your question.

'people influencing' is what you need.

Maybe the 'Humanities' thread on Boards which is in the Society & Culture part I think.