Hot and noisy? I prefer cold and quiet ...

It’s been hot lately, hasn’t it? Here in Beijing, it feels like the thermometer’s been hovering around the 30 C mark (86 F) for weeks now (whenever it hasn’t been raining, that is).

Across the sea in Japan, meanwhile, the mercury soared to 41.1 C at the end of July, setting new heat records and hospitalizing thousands in the process. Scores also died.

In Greece, ongoing wildfires around the country’s capital have claimed more than 90 lives, while up to 70 people died in Canada’s Quebec province as a result of a recent heat wave.

British tabloid newspaper The Sun, not known for understatement, even went so far as to declare across its front page on July 25 that “The World’s on Fire”.

Which it is, in a way. Summers are getting hotter, heat records are consistently being broken and out-of-control infernos are now seemingly becoming the norm.

But why dwell on the awful inevitability of dangerous climate change when we could just ignore it and carry on regardless? That seems to be how many have decided to deal with this particular existential threat.

Personally, I’m no great fan of the heat. Never have been. Maybe it’s due to my upbringing in the damp, drizzly north of England. Or the fact that, as an infant, I had serious trouble regulating my own body temperature and even ended up in hospital on one occasion as a result.

Later in life, whichever part of my brain it is that deals with thermoregulation seemed to finally figure out how to keep a lid on things. Though I do still have a tendency to overheat and perspire to a somewhat excessive degree.

All of which makes the Chinese phrase renao slightly baffling to me.

Roughly Gregory Fountain translated, it means “hot and noisy”. Though perhaps “hustle and bustle” would be slightly more accurate.

Because in China, renao is a good thing. It’s something to be sought out. (Or so my limited language learning would have me believe). A renao place is buzzing with excitement. It’s somewhere that feels alive.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve spent my fair share of time in such places. Be it festivals, expos, tourist traps or other locales that are sure to draw the maddening crowds.

But in general, I’d rather not be among the multitude. In fact, I once gave up a place in line to see the Sistine Chapel’s famed interior because the thought of being herded through a confined space with a bunch of strangers didn’t exactly appeal.

No, cold and quiet are much more my cup of tea. There are few things in life I’ve enjoyed more than a hike across open country. Ideally on my own, or only lightly accompanied.

In autumn, preferably, or after winter’s first snow.

A part of me can understand the appeal of wanting to do everything together. Of seeking out the vibrant and the bustling, the heat and the noise.

Mostly though, I have to say, I’d really rather avoid it. Because it seems to me that the whole world is a little too renao right now.

And while sometimes it’s good to be where it’s hot and noisy, sometimes it’s just a lot of hot air and noise.

PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY A boy enjoys an ice cream pop while wearing an umbrella-like hat to protect himself from the strong sun on Tuesday in Beijing. The Beijing Meteorological Service issued a yellow alert for high temperatures, reminding the public to reduce outdoor activities.