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Cheap Way to Visit Hangzhou A sad story: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/11/nyregion/thecity/11chin.html?ex=1331269200&en=5a61f05104025970&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |
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I Found a Bug - in my Soup It depends. If it's an upscale estabilishment, i will call the waiter over and informt hem quitely. I do expect a replacement meal. Personally I think ask for a refund could be over the top. If it's a street stall, small eatery, I'll probably ignor it and just don't have that particular dish. It's intersting this topic came from an urban dweller like yourself. In wonder if the responce will be different coming from a different part of the country/ world? I travel a lot - backpacking really. And after seeing how hard some local people's lives can be, a few bugs in food don't bother me. All I can probably think about is, someone probably can't even afford this meal. But like I said, it depends. If I'm dining at one of the (over rated) joints at No.3 On the bund, I'd expect a replacement and a profound apology. |
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Shanghainese Girl Marrying Foreigners P.S. It is relatively less common to see Chinese men with foreign women. Quite curious. I have no sure answers to why this is the case. But one of the issues maybe culture related. Chinese men are tend to be more reserved and introverted in their courting behavious than western males. And western girls may not be picking up the too subtle hints? Lack of self-confidence might play a part here too - girls tend to fall for confident guys who is sure of themselves. Years of stereotyping and lack of understanding may push some Chinese males into lacking that level of confidence. Anyway these are only my guesses. |
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Shanghainese Girl Marrying Foreigners Very interesting topic today Jain Shuo. And, from my own personal experience, a lot of young Japanese girls like to date foreign (mostly western, but also a lot of latin, and to a lesser extent, orientals) men. And it's mostly NOT for money in their case but rather to show off the 'tall and strong' boyfriends to their friends. I'm also intrigued by your comment: [QUOTE] Some declare to add gender into this sentence. I am not that sure yet, but I am at least not 100% opposite to it [/QUOTE] I apprecaite your open mindness as to not "100%" oppose it. But I do sense a certain amount of opposition. As a gay ethnic Chinese, I's like to hear about (if you are willing to share it of course) what is your opposition to the idea of same sex marriage? I have been together with my current boyfriend for nearly 4 years now, and we have made engagement and plan to get 'registered in a civil partnership' - the closest that can be called 'marriage' in the UK. I'd like to think our unifivation is a fruit of love (incidently, my boyfriend is white, AND I have seen equally as many gay oriental guys seeking out older white person for money or whatever). When compare a girl that marries for money (gold diggers) or 2 gay guys want to marry for love, which is more appropriate or acceptable to you? At the end of the day, my feeling is 'marriage' is nothing but a label, or a ceremony, it's suppose to signify something - ie, the love between the couple and their willingness to be companions to each other come what may. As a conceptual term, it's just as fragile as any other names besponed upon other things. So if me and my partner can stick to these ideals, then wether we get called " a married couple", or "a civil partner pairing" makes no difference to us. |
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View of Shanghai under Clear Sky Mmmm, it still looks kinga hazy to me. The only true clear sky I saw in China was when I visited Hwang Shan, and at the summit. Taking a troll under the night sky, I saw the milky way for the first time in my life. In the UK, the sky can be clear sometimes, but most major city generates a huge amount of light (as in, road lamps etc) pollusion. |
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The Scar in People's Heart Walter: "I don't mean to conclude who is responsible for this tragedy. " It seems to me you are making more excuses to justify what was caused by the communist party in the 60's. It is easy for people to see who is actually responsible, why you don't want to conclude it? China has demanded decades for Japan to come to face it's history and learn from the grave mistake it made and the suffering it imposed on people of Asia in WW2. Isn't it time for the Chinese goverment to wake up and face it's own past too? |
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V2EX's Network Cable was Unplugged This is probably the bet topic I have seen this year. By their nature, all goverment seek to control it's population (not just the communist states like China, witness the recent Patrotic act of US and their anooping tactics that intrudes teh privacy of EU citizens). Way to go Livid. I wish you the best. One day the Great Firewall WILL fall, like the berlin wall before it. |
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China Eastern Airlines Here's the link to the story about China Easter A340 tail strike at London: http://www.airlinecrew.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=179333 I have made a concious decision to avoid fly with them since this event, however my parents still choose to fly them over Lufthansa due to 'food being better'. I have been trying to talk them out from flying with CEA but no luck so far... |
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China Eastern Airlines Hanhan, I don't agree on your accessment that Chinese domestic flight food is worse than foreign airline domestic services. I had hot meals searched on all the Chinese flights I've been on (1~2 hour flights), plus beverages, but on a comparable flight int he UK, I'd be lucky to get cold sandwich! I'm not 'impressed' with the food on Chinese services, but they are BETTER than equivlent European ones, Don't even mention US internal flight - you have to PAY to get some really low quality food (United Alrline). |
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China Eastern Airlines Hey XZW, I just read your comments about Hainan airlines. I had the same experience! Some of their pilots are a bit too 'forceful' at the control of the aircraft - I know that their Boeing 737-800s are nice and new and handles well but they tend to fly them like Migs! I've also had a scare flying from ShenZhen to Hainan with them - the pilot did not extend the flaps until the last second before turning onto the run way. I wonder if he's forgot it onthe check list :(. On the otehr hand, the return flight from hainan to Shanghai I had was one of the most smooth flight I've been on, it's on an ancient 737-200 (must be nearly 20 years old!). But the pilots skills were fantastic, everything was gently handled. |
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China Eastern Airlines There are some concerns about safety culture with China Eastern Airlines. In 2005, one of their A340 flying the route LHR -> PVG (London Heathrow to Shanghai Pudon), had a tail string during rotation/ take off. The ATC tower reported this event to the captain, who no doubt would have felt the tail string as witness reported it's a quite serious one. Rather than return to the airport and check for damages, the crew opted to fly this damaged bird back to Shanghai! I'm rather worried by this attutude towards safety. Maybe they are trying to save face but they are playing around 300+ peoples live here. |
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Where are You? Hi, I'm Ying. I was born in Shanghai, then moved to the UK. I lived roughly half my life in China and half in the UK. Currently I live in Manchester. I'm really facinated by the difference between cultures and also discovering how much similarity there are. I enjoy travelling. The last time I visited China was in 2005. |
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Beggars in China and People's Attitude Hi Jian Shuo, Thank you for taking your time to write up and share your thoughts with us. I really appreciate your views. Thanks also to the readers who have commented. I agree with your point that the issue of how to help homeless population is a complex one. There is no ideal solution because each homeless person's case is different. In the UK, there is a fairly comprehensive social benefit system that, in theory, works well. People with low incomes can claim from a benefit called 'Income Support' which is funded by tax payers (i.e., everyone who works in the UK contributes a little to help). In order to claim, they need to prove their income is below the national minimum, and additional information such as why they can't work. The current rate paid out is 57.45 UK Pound per week, per person - not a lot but enough for the bare necessities to live on. In addition to the money from Income support, there are ways to claim additional funds, for example "Job Seeker's Allowance" is set up to help people get back on their feet by providing money to aid them getting a new job. The person who is claiming this money will need to prove to the government that he is actively seeking a new job, otherwise the payment of the benefit will be terminated. Job Seeker's Allowance is also 57.45 UK Pound at the current rate. For people with special needs - elderly people, very young kids who have lost parents, disabled, pregnant woman etc, there are additional benefit funds and money to increase their income. As I said, in theory, this system sounds like a great way of solving the problem, but in reality it can (and is) abused by many who simply are too lazy to work, or for various reasons refuse to work for an income. They have become so dependant on the benefit system that they will often fake medical conditions, lie, or even getting pregnant just to avoid work so they can claim the benefits. They can sit at home, and enjoy the free money. In essence, they are the faking beggars of UK - equivalent of those who fake to beg in China. They both take advantage of people or society's kindness. I found people like these quite despicable. Similarly, there are also young and able-bodied people who beg for extra money on the streets of UK. I usually ignore all these beggars, as I found it morally wrong to provide for them when they can easily provide a living for themselves by working. Disabled people usually are very well looked after in the UK, not only they can claim benefit from the government, many services, such as bus and train companies, also provide discounts for them. There are laws that protect them from getting unfair treatments (for example a computer software company can't refuse to hire a person because he has to use a wheelchair to get to work). I think as a group, the disabled are much better off in UK than in China. For those who genuinely needs help, I tend to give them help unconditionally, whether be it buying them dinner or give out money (I prefer providing food rather than money). I applaud the way Muhammad Yunus helps people, but I can't agree on his view of absolutely not giving out money whatever the case - sometimes people needs more immediate help. For example, what's the use of giving a weakened elderly person who is severely dehydrated a mobile phone and ask him to hire it out? Not only he will become an easy target for robbery (a mobile will be a nice thing for yobs to have), he would benefit from a bottle of water or money to buy water a lot more than a long term scheme. In this way Muhammad Yunus is just as short sighted as those who only give out money. I believe a combination of his plan, plus in certain cases, more immediate help is the better method. The actual form of helping will need to be decided on individual case bases rather than a blanket style 'one for all' kind of approach. In the long term, offer employment to those who can work, and provide the minimum living standard to those who can't work sounds like a good plan. I totally agree with you Jian Shuo, on employing A'Yi rather than just offering her money. This would be what I'd do as well. I believe in people should work for what they earn. That's why I have so much respect for those who struggles forward despite the hardship - the street musician who plays Er'hu, the man who collects bottles and cans for recycling, the little old ladies who sells flower bunches outside the underground tube stations. （Are those flower bunches 玉兰花? This really brings back memories as I remember my grandma used to wear them when I was a kid living in Shanghai. The flowers can't sell for that much, 1, maybe 2RMB each? Watching their old, fragile stance sitting on little stools brought up emotions I had with my past which I thought had been long lost. Sometimes I buy a few bunches off them - offering them the money, keep one then just return the flower to them so they can sell them again. Maybe I’m just getting too nostalgic? The passing of some of the old ways of how people lived in China is saddening as they are my only connection to my past). Are there any organizations, privately funded or sponsored by the government that looks after homeless people in China? In the UK there are charities such as Oxfam, Help the Aged etc that volunteers run to help those in need. I’d love to join as a volunteer to help out in China too on my travels. Again, thanks for proving a space for us to discuss thought provoking topics. |
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Must See - Coffee Facing the Bund Hi Jian Shuo, I have been reading your blog for a few years now, I found your blog while planning a trip to China in 2004, and your post on the Shanghai <-> Beijing train time table really helped me. Keep up the good work. I have always wanted to seek your opinion on an issue that troubles me - about the attitude people have, towards beggars and the homeless in big cities like Shanghai. If I can't finish the food in a restaurant, I tend to pack them up and give them to homeless people I met. On rare occasions, if the person is particularly venerable, such as an elderly woman, I will also give out some money. I have done this while I traveled in China, but I have been told by Chinese friends to not do this as 'all those beggars are faking it'. One particularly memorable example was when I traveled in the An'Hui province. I saw this elderly lady collecting plastic drink bottles, to exchange for a little cash at a recycle point I guess, was teased upon by some youth. She was literally begging the kids (in their teens) to give her the empty bottle they have just finished, but instead of doing the decent thing, they kicked the empty bottle into a lake so she can't reach it. I had to pull her away from the side of the lake when she tried to get to that bottle to prevent her from falling in. I was furious about this incident for a long time. In my view she is doing everyone a favor by collecting these bottles and takes them to recycle. It helps keep the environment clean and free from plastic that'll never be bio-degraded. I have respect for people like these - who are down in their life but still struggles on, doing what little they can (and must) do to survive. Which is the total opposite of a bunch of rich and spoilt kids who probably haven't worked a single day and only knows how to spend mom and dad's money. The attitude of people who tease those who are less fortunate than themselves are sickening. I wonder if you can tell me if this is a common problem / view (that the homeless deserves it) in China. Do you, or have you done anything personally to give them a little help? All these thoughts came up when I read your comments in today's post about how Starbucks is the 'cheapest' place to enjoy the view of the Bund, and that a cup of coffee cost merely 25RMB (which I'm sure can buy a homeless person a few meals). This reminded me the gap between the well off and the poor are getting increasingly wider in China. I wonder if it will one day become an incurable problem? Anyway, it's a long rant, I hope you can give me your thoughts on these issues. Cheers. |