Chinese Culture - #1

This is the first of many posts to come on Chinese Culture: Traditions, Beliefs, Superstitions, Remedies, Sayings and Practices and they differ, or relate, to Western Culture. I hope this will be interesting, enlightening and entertaining.

First, a disclaimer

There are thousands of diverse cultural artifacts that make up the dozens of ethnic and religious groups of China. This perspective is through my own experience and interaction alone and does not reflect, no try to represent China as a whole. It is meant to only to illuminate a small part of the vast and fascinating diversity of Chinese culture. My opinions are just that: mine. And in no way represent any professional cultural anthropological assessment.

Chinese Saying: If you fall down, look around when you are down there, you might find some money.

Literal
This means just what is says. While you're laying flat on the floor, look around for loose change. You might as well take that opportunity to find some money before you pick yourself and dust off.

Figurative
There are opportunities everywhere. Even when you have failed and are starting over. Look around. You might find an opportunity to take advantage before starting over. Perhaps a different plan or path to take, or a new idea to attack the problem that caused you to fail in the first place. Don't just 'jump up' and try again. Take an assement of things around you and make a plan or discover something new before trying again.