What's it like living in China for the past 6 years without going back home ? Ask me! PART 1

reply to post by Hongkongphooey

never eat the yellow rice or taste the yellow ice in Harbin,

Hongkongphooey, Now that is true,,,,,, At-least the Yellow Snow.
Harbin China, Born and Raised. My parents still live there and they will die there as centuries of my ancestors before them. I am the first of my family to leave China, We all have moved to other cities in China to find work, but I moved to an other country for Love and I've never looked back in regret.

Sculptures made from Ice and Snow, the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival.


If you wish to read more or see even more beautiful pictures of the Festival:
www.boston.com...

Where-ever one is, Never-eva leave your drink at the bar or lose sight of it as it only takes a second; plOop, a 'friend' assists you outside the bar. There are many, many new drugs on the market that can put one in whatever mode they want you to be in.

This has happened to me on 3 occasions now in 3 different countries! though I have an unusual background. I'm extra careful now though always on the lookout for a new experience.....within reason.

You'll be lucky if you're still wearing your pants.
Had my favorite and expensive pair of briches removed one time, clubbing shoes too, while I found myself lying on the beach 30 minutes to an hour later. Had to sneak back to my room in my undies.

No hangover as I always keep the drinking in check, always still walking and talking straight, less a lil judgement. Don't like to get drunk as stupid isss ass stoopid duhs.
No penetration to speak of whoo, though when your out, you out for their count.

Have had some friends in the past that were of Chinese descent as I had a signficant other porcelaine beauty at a time. The families always like to watch foreigners eat their food. One time I went to the bathroom after the family ordered a typical smorgasboard, spin the table meal where everyone shares and some need help from their chairs when it's over. When I came back, I found a chicken foot, pork intestines and a pair of bull-balls in my plate. They all watched me intently to see what I'd do. After turning a few shades of red, I looked around the table, everyone plays nonchalant, then broke into tears of laughter at my confusion. I spun the table in a known direction.

reply to post by crackerjack

Congratulations! It took you 6 years to figure that out. Takes most normal people, I don't know, 10 seconds.

Originally posted by theknuckler
reply to post by crackerjack

Congratulations! It took you 6 years to figure that out. Takes most normal people, I don't know, 10 seconds.

edit on 9-10-2012 by theknuckler because: (no reason given)

Seriously? You got it all figured out have you? We should take your sage advice over someone who has lived there six years? Have you ever even been in China? What a ridiculous thing to say!

reply to post by sweetooth


Fricken' awesome! Why hasn't Tarantino put this on film yet?????

hmm....i'm more surprised about the fact that people still think china is what they show you in pictures and postcards. same thing applies with russia. after all, what did you guys think chinese power was built on? rainbows?

Originally posted by vianegativa
hmm....i'm more surprised about the fact that people still think china is what they show you in pictures and postcards. same thing applies with russia. after all, what did you guys think chinese power was built on? rainbows?

Yes Yes I Do. China is made out of Rainbows. Polka Dots and Moonbeams too.

Wait! I feel a song coming on. Oh it's already been done.

Like any country was built on Rainbows.

To the OP

Did it really take you 6 years to learn that? Sounds like one night I had in Amsterdam.
White wine is a common drink of choice around the world, and pouring tea in your beer, hey I can understand not wishing to loose control of a situation but that takes the biscuit. Wish I could of seen you pouring the tea in your glass & ducking in & out of the toilet to dump the vino, man they must of got you good or bad to have you in this mindset. Glad to be home??

I can picture it now, arriving home at the airport you get asked, 'Anything to declare' your reply being 'Yea, dont go to China'

Originally posted by crackerjack

Originally posted by colbyforce
So how do they view Americans, generally? Is there anti-American propaganda spewed by the government? How do they view the world, in a political sense?

Americans have a hard time here with Visa's, alot of hoops you gotta jump through to get one now.
In the large tier cities, Americans are viewed as awesome people by the Chinese, most people want to learn American English and want to work for American based companies, so there' not really alot of anti-American propaganda around.
Alot of American products are dominating the domestic markets here, outselling local brands, so more American companies are coming here to explore the domestic markets, Chinese love American stuff.

As an American this confuses me. We make things and sell them to China?

Am I in Bizarro world?

amusing.... you have far to go yet before you even start to comprehend china or asia...

reply to post by crackerjack

In the large tier cities, Americans are viewed as awesome people by the Chinese, most people want to learn American English and want to work for American based companies, so there' not really alot of anti-American propaganda around. Alot of American products are dominating the domestic markets here, outselling local brands, so more American companies are coming here to explore the domestic markets, Chinese love American stuff.

I think more Americans and other western countries need more of an inside perspective like this instead of taking the word of government officials. If people from other countries had a true perspective of what the people of these countries really felt, there would be less propaganda for war and better relationships between countries.

reply to post by guohua


That ice sculpture festival looks awesome!

Originally posted by wlord
no matter where you live...china..or here, it's a dog eat dog world.. regardless of whether it's a democratic state or socialist.

This may be somewhat correct, but at least here in America there are still many compassionate people. People who actually care about others, though they may be strangers. I see it all the time, so I know it exists. I help people with random stuff all the time, when the opportunity arises, and don't expect to be paid or anything. Even just little things that come up all the time. Like today I went to the supermarket, and the baskets were stuck together pretty hard, and had to be pulled extremely hard to get them apart.

Since there were mostly ladies coming in, I pulled about 6 or 7 baskets apart for each of those people. And they were grateful and said thank you. I didn't even expect that much, as I do not do stuff like that for praise. I do it because it is nice and the right thing to do. Those who do not believe that is true are those who are willing to screw anyone over to make a buck, and those are usually the type of people who have money. This is what I say regarding republicans versus democrats much of the time as well, and it holds true in the majority of instances.

This thread makes me never want to go to China, lol. Thanks for writing it, as it is very insightful. It does make sense that their society is structured this way, given that their government is corrupt. Socrates did in fact say it was the state that youths will look to when learning about morals, and I think he was in part correct.

I'm so glad someone else is bringing out the truth about life in China. I've been here for 2 years myself, and I have a long way to go to figure it all out. The media blackouts are especially frustrating, as I started coming to this website strictly because they shut down lots of VPNs and there's really not many ways to find out what's going on in the world.

I actually enjoy life here, however I remember the USofA was so much ridiculously better. But living in China (i'm in Hangzhou) is (was) remarkably easy for americans (before they changed the visa restrictions). Everything is so cheap and I've never worried about paying rent.

I have a question though: What's the general feeling in the states now? Better than 2009, or worse? I remember my dad's neighborhood in Kansas City and hearing gunshots every night, and seeing wastelands of abandoned buildings and empty lots as the norm. Is it REALLY possible for Romney to be elected? Seems like that guy would totally push the big red button...

reply to post by Swills

As an American this confuses me. We make things and sell them to China? Am I in Bizarro world?

No My Friend Swills, just like most Americans, You're Uniformed of China and how much the Chinese like every thing American.
Much like my husband the first time we returned to Harbin to ask permission to marry from my father, Harbin is very close to Russia and Harbiner's are suspicious or you can say, leery of Russians, my husband is a big man and he's loud, but out in the city shopping or on the buses, people would stare and watch him until he smiled and spoke English, then the Chinese Smile and try their English skills on him and invite him to their homes and men offer for him to meet their daughters and I have to step in and announce to them, he's is my man.
My husband is looking around all smiles and bewildered, I just wanted to slap him.

Things the Chinese like made in America, Jeans, Flip Flops, Cars, Any T-Shirt,Coca Cola,Orange Drinks, Skateboard, Skippy peanut butter, Pringles chip and large quantities of microchips, computer components and aircraft components and Medical Technology.
The list goes on and on.
I hoped this helped.
I forgot to add, PIZZA!!!! When we were taking the train back to Beijing, it's a 12 to 13 hour train ride, we wanted to bring Pizza with us, I think it is Papa Johns that is next door , but we waited in line 90 minutes for our Pizza, that's was just the line, luckily we're two hours early for our departure.


Yes Even Hooters

Originally posted by Pointofview
I went to Beijing on a business trip a little while ago. The people I met at the office there are employed by the same European company that I work for.

I was very well received. They all seemed like honest and nice people to me. Really nice and honest, actually. They took me to lunch every day, to a Karaoke bar, and more. However, they never told me "we are so good friend", and never asked for anything back.

They were genuinely nice and honest. I'm the first to discover if someone is being dishonest, or treating you nice to gain something of their own. But no.

So, my experience is the opposite of yours.

OK, this is just my horse sense about human nature here; the OP is talking from an experience dealing with the Manufacturing business and people at the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum -- or ones who have just moved up.

YOU sound like you are talking about people who have grown up without a lot of insecurity -- middle class background or equivalent.

I don't think anyone can say what is true for all people from an entire country -- these are all generalizations. I get from the OP that he's aware of this and only sharing "his experience." A few people have gotten on their high horse, as though defending against prejudice.

The intent here seems to be sincere and about informing.... so far this is a pretty positive thread as long as everyone recognizes there is no perfect answer.

Originally posted by WeRpeons
reply to post by crackerjack

 

I think more Americans and other western countries need more of an inside perspective like this instead of taking the word of government officials. If people from other countries had a true perspective of what the people of these countries really felt, there would be less propaganda for war and better relationships between countries.

Exactly, get out there, find out things for yourself, the games the governments play are just that. Before I came I had a perception to what China was like, when I touched down I was totally shocked how wrong I was.

Originally posted by DarthPhobos
To the OP

Did it really take you 6 years to learn that? Sounds like one night I had in Amsterdam.

White wine is a common drink of choice around the world, and pouring tea in your beer, hey I can understand not wishing to loose control of a situation but that takes the biscuit. Wish I could of seen you pouring the tea in your glass & ducking in & out of the toilet to dump the vino, man they must of got you good or bad to have you in this mindset. Glad to be home??

edit on 9-10-2012 by DarthPhobos because: (no reason given)

I learnt the ropes in the first 12 months, I wanted the OP to act as a guide and incite for people not familiar with China.
I've lost count of how many first time businessman I've seen who's been played, when my father came over here last year, I really sat down with him and told him the rules. On his return 3 weeks later after traveling across China he said "Son, you were right". That was good enough for me.

Originally posted by theknuckler
reply to post by crackerjack

Congratulations! It took you 6 years to figure that out. Takes most normal people, I don't know, 10 seconds.

edit on 9-10-2012 by theknuckler because: (no reason given)

Hey I know what, how about you come here, leave everything you know behind and start back at square 1.
Then tell me how long it takes you to figure out an entirely different culture.

Originally posted by sweetooth
reply to post by crackerjack

 

what a load of jingoistic rubbish from an aussie of all people

so, let's get this straight 'crackerjack', all chinese businessmen are out to use you and all market sellers want to fleece you? maybe they just don't like you and your paranoid xenophobic generalising way. ever thought of that?

I've learnt the hard ropes here, I've been used,abused and spat out and I keep doing it because i still believed then that maybe some are different. I was wrong. In China the final thing is MONEY, nothing else.
They don't care how they make it or how unsafe it is all they care about it money in their wallets. Most of the domestic foods here are unsafe, alot of it goes unregulated. Baby milk powder is a massive one, killed alot of kids, but not one person took the blame for it, why should they care they have their new Audi.