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Top Two Differences in China FYI. Japan was similar to China situation before, but recently they changed to charge tax 5% separately. I think eventually it is good to have the sales tax, as Stephen indicated, make it transparent for the taxation. Even in the states, many items are not taxable, basic living goods, for example, fruits, meats and veggies etc. |
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Life in New York is Tough for Me I agree with someone who said that comparing with the ABSOLUTE price is wrong, which means that you can not convert the merchandise price by the foreign exchange rate, here, multify by 8.25 for RMB. I live in New York City and commute by subway to work everyday. I also quite often travel to Shanghai for business trip. Our company has a small representative office in SH. If you think the salaries in the number amount (not value) in both Shanghai and New York, they are so similar in terms of the average salary. (Forget about those rich people in this fantasitic City). Average Salary is abut $4000-5000 (new York) and RMB 4000-5000 (shanghai). Is that OK? Let's do a quick math: New York City ($) ;;; Shanghai (RMB) Subway 2 ;;; 3-5 (anywhere, and transfer to bus free within 2 hrs in NYC, also monthly pass is $70, weekly pass $21, one day pass $7 will raise to $76 after in feb 2005. No such benefit for the regular commuter in Shanghai.) Food for 2 25-35 ;;; 80-150 (For food, I mean the regular restrurants in the city, not fancy, but nice food, same compariosn in SH) McDonald's 6.5 ;;; 19 (a big Mac, fried potato and Pepsi) cost 5.99 USD plus tax (0.08625%) in New York. Rental 1500-2500 ;;; 1500-2500 (based on two bedroom in the normal affordable areas.) Clothes 150 ;;; 1000-2000 (based on leather jacket) Shoes 70 ;;; 400-500 (based on the nice leather shoes for work) Apartment 300K-400K ;;; 1000K (for two bedroom apts) so on and so forth.... The quesiton really is, do you think it is cheaper to spend on meals for 2, for 30 RMB if you earn 5000 RMB? If so, you will not say that it is TOO expensive in USA. |
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Top 10 Places to See in New York City Don't forget the new opening of MoMA (Musuem of Modern Art) in Manhattan ! It is at 53 St and 6 AV. |
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Planning to Travel to Tokyo It is called "Shore Pass" for transiting to other countries via Tokyo, for 72 hours! But it applies only when you transfering from Tokyo to US for Chinese citizenship, not the other way around (from US via Tokyo to China). I used to use this way before. |
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Planning to Travel to Tokyo I have been to Japan many times, mostly staying in Tokyo for the business trip and didn't have much time for the tour. But you will be soon to get used to their amazining public transportation, subway, train, etc. (They do have some typos and mis-used words for the sign, too!) Once I stayed in HOTEL CENTURY SOUTHERN TOWER （小田急饭店世纪南方塔), http://www.southerntower.co.jp/ same building with Microsoft Japan office, and you can't beat the price with Microsoft corp rate, sth like 12000YEN. Have fun! |