Giles' stories are fascinating, but sometimes only captured the customs of a small, wealthy class of the population.

These were the practices of the Qing governing elite, who could afford to send dozens of couriers dashing across town, and in which a foreign diplomat would mostly circulate.

Today's expats can rub shoulders with everyone - from farmers and teachers to factory owners and even government officials, and everybody seems to be in a mad rush.

My spur-of-the-moment, modern-day friends were amused by the dinner invitation customs of their forefathers and have promised to give more notice.

But can they?

Without really knowing it, they are caught in the flow of a pulsating energy, which is driving China through its amazing transformation. It's all about the now.

As Master Shi Fu in Kung Fu Panda says: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, so that's why we call today the present."

And the Chinese are tearing off the wrapping paper as fast as they can.