Western cultural influence has affected some customs, but only on a superficial level. Most people still attach little importance to private matters.

People around the country often greet each other by asking all kinds of questions such as "Have you got a girlfriend?", "What are you busy doing?"

For decades, Shanghai citizens aired their underwear out of windows facing the street, not caring how many people saw their private apparel.

A writer once pointed to the lack of psychology professionals in China saying that Chinese people didn't need professionals to solve their private problems, since they can find advice anywhere in the street.

The neighbourhood community used to serve an important function in arbitrating conflicts between family members. Staff members of such communities, usually middle-aged or senior women, were very familiar with the relationships and problems of each family in the community.

People rarely considered such actions as interfering in people's private lives, but rather as evidence that people were friendly and helpful.

Things have greatly changed over the past 20 years with China's opening up to the outside world.

The function of neighbourhood communities as the intermediary in family problems has been greatly diminished. But the need to confide in another person remains.

Instead of turning to professional psychologists, Chinese people have gone public, using various channels of the news media. Radio programmes, magazines and newspapers have become the forums for their catharsis.

More people have become aware of the idea of privacy, leading them to reject traditional moral values.

"Shanghai Times", a local weekly newspaper with a large circulation, offers readers the opportunity to express themselves through a "personal accounts" column.

Since its launch at the beginning of last year, the column has never fallen off the top three "most read" pages of the paper. "People love to read about each other's private lives," said Chen Xiaoxi, an editor of these stories.

Chen said the column's hotline receives around 10 calls a day, and five e-mails every day, all from people wanting to tell their stories in the paper.

"Many people feel very good when their stories are told to the public through the paper," Chen said. "Some call back to describe excitedly how their friends and colleagues guessed they were the character in the story."

Chen said some people want to damage the reputation of a spouse who betrayed them.

"A woman bought tens of copies with her story and delivered them to many people, showing them what a bad guy her husband was," Chen said. "But most of them simply wanted to pour out their hearts to people."

Some people treat such programmes as psychological consultants.

More than a few have asked about the cost of publishing their problems.

Once a guy had Chen listen for hours to his love experiences and asked for her advice, then he said "but my story can't be published."

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