I had the good fortune of being in Beijing at the one-year anniversary of the 2008 Olympic Games. What struck me while all the Olympic hype was being relived is that China is most proud of the way the Olympics helped to integrate it into the world at large. As a country that spent decades focused internally and essentially closed off to the “outside world,” China is now relishing its global assimilation.

The early July riots in the Xinjiang province in northern China are still widely discussed, but not for the reasons you might think. The Chinese are proud the global media were granted instant access to the scene and the story was not “managed” or covered up. This access to China is one of the biggest legacies from the Olympics.

As Shanghai gears up for the World Expo in 2010, there is another push to get the city ready for the world stage in much the same way we learned that Beijing was prepped. Among the enforcements put in place, Beijingers were told not to spit on the street and to “respect the queue” on designated days, helping to change the Chinese culture of never waiting in line. In Shanghai, residents are being asked to dress properly and avoid the habit of wearing pajamas out of the house.

But, as I looked around and saw countless McDonald’s and KFC restaurants and my kids’ favorite cinnamon roll instant oatmeal at the supermarket and as I walked through the brand new Oriental Plaza mall – one that is more American than any I’ve ever been to – it struck me that I hope Beijing and Shanghai don’t head into this globalization too quickly or place too much effort on “fitting in.” After all, what sport is there in “respecting the queue” instead of reigniting my stagnant rugby skills? And why shouldn’t I see that Shanghai culture makes it perfectly acceptable to wear your tattered PJs for a trip to the store?

As marketers, I can only hope that we help China celebrate its culture and that our work there is focused on bringing our products and ideas to them in a culturally appropriate way that does not Americanize them.

(But I will confess, as a true American, I enjoy finding corn flakes buried in some corner at the store, as my kids aren’t quite ready for the spicy congee breakfast.)