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This is a study of middle-class Chinese consumers in the era of globalization. It looks closely at the consumption behavior of those group of which the middle class is made up, including professionals, managers, business-owners and civil servants, and also at the cities. This group of people and type of location are the two most powerful forces fueling the rise in China of a new culture of mass consumption. Data come from the China General Social Survey of 2003 and 30 interviews conducted in 2008 with Beijing resident who qualify as members of the middle class. Through the quantitative analysis the author tries to identify characteristics of the middle class in metropolitan areas and its spending habits. The qualitative analysis tries to capture the spending patterns and the mentality of 30 adults, especially their subjective interpretations in specific contexts. The analyses focus on daily spending on consumer goods, the distinct or particular reasons for purchasing and using certain material goods and services and the underlying consumer taste and material culture. The author brings to bear major theories in the sociology of consumption to interpret the findings. Special attention is paid to how globalization and the essential features of Chinese culture help shape changing tastes and norms. To explain them, one must also look at feelings of anxiety and ambivalence and the pursuit of pleasure and comfort on one hand and prudence in the personal finance management on the other. There has also been growing awareness of the notion of consumer sovereignty. The findings reported in the volume help correct some of the prevailing misconceptions about China’s nouveau riche.