Post: #126

(09-08-2012 09:05 AM)redneckpunk Wrote:  "I don't know anyone who counts the way you said before"

your words not mine.

I find it hard to believe, actually impossible to believe, that if you LIVED in China you have never encountered this before. NonP has been there a few months and knows exactly what I am talking about.

His example is an 8 year old, not exactly an old traditional person.

Show a Chinese in China your ID and they will say you are a year older than what you would say, I've done this dozens and dozens of times with all age groups over the course of years.

Possibly the entire nation has changed this way of thinking since I left in 09, but I doubt it.

Dude, some people use one system, another uses another maybe that was taught by has his parents the older way, while some people I know was taught the newer way, then again I don't usually bother to ask what year they are born in, you could be right with a lot of people. Knowing exactly how old someone is does not impact my life that much, when it comes to official documents you have to state year and dates anyways. Actually a lot of people they just say what year they are born in.

Post: #127

Keep the data flowing gents.

I took Mandarin for 2 years in college but have forgotten almost all of it. Where I live is only a 1hr flight from Shanghai and 40 minutes from Taipei (!!!) so I might be getting some immersion training in the future.

My only concern is gaming Chinese chicks when you look like the rapper T.I. (minus the permanent "mean mugging" demeanor that guy has). They don't sound too fond of the dark meat. Probably best to roll out suited down and with a big disarming smile.

Post: #128

(09-08-2012 05:15 AM)avantgarde Wrote:  One Chinese local told me in a Chinese survey Chongqing had the hottest girl in China, then followed by Hengyang. Went on google, found this http://tieba.baidu.com/f?kz=211454456
(note this in simplified Chinese)
1 重庆(chongqing) 24.25% (81.77-75.35-70.01) 重庆 川中区--长江沿线区
2 成都(chengdu) 22.89% (81.29-75.66-70.19) 四川 川中区
3 长沙(changsha) 20.57% (81.70-74.52-72.89) 湖南 湘西区延伸部
4 武汉(wuhan) 19.63% (79.45-72.68-66.51) 湖北 长江沿线区
5 米脂(mizhi) 19.05% (80.21-69.67-70.13) 陕西 关中区
What is your top list?

I take this with a grain of salt; I have heard the same about Suzhou, Chengdu, Dalian, Wuhan, Shenzhen and Nanjing, there is a lot of local nationalism in China; every city is the best in the world and far superior to every other Chinese city.

I liked best the girls in Hong Kong (like Chinese girls, but with clear skin and fatter asses) and have not traveled to many places, though Suzhou is pretty nice in terms of talent (better than Hangzhou, and it's also a much prettier city). Chengdu is a city that keeps popping up in conversation, as does Taiwan. I am going to do a 1-2 week 'layover' in Taipei on my way home.

(09-08-2012 07:53 AM)redneckpunk Wrote:  Hangzhou is definitely not off the beaten path. It is a tier 2 city in the richest province per capita with numerous western companies with expat staff located there not to mention teachers.

As far as learning English, many kindergardens teach English, and most primary schools teach English.

They just teach the language the wrong way, all memorization no converation. Lots of Chinese can read English ok just can't speak or hear it well.

I often meditate on the futility of what I do; teach English to children, when they can't practice at home (parents speak no English) or at school (friends speak no English).

But then again tomorrow is payday, so I don't really let it get to me.

(09-08-2012 10:26 PM)DamonHVictor Wrote:  Keep the data flowing gents.

I took Mandarin for 2 years in college but have forgotten almost all of it. Where I live is only a 1hr flight from Shanghai and 40 minutes from Taipei (!!!) so I might be getting some immersion training in the future.

My only concern is gaming Chinese chicks when you look like the rapper T.I. (minus the permanent "mean mugging" demeanor that guy has). They don't sound too fond of the dark meat. Probably best to roll out suited down and with a big disarming smile.

I know a black guy (from Senegal) who kills it. Yes, there is some aversion to the brothers in China (I had a student, a 9 year old who is a little bit of a Shanghai girl but otherwise sweet, the other day flatly say 'I don't like black people'), but this guy is tall, has muscles, dresses well and just has one of those infectious personalities where he's the life of the party wherever he goes, good dude

Post: #129

(09-08-2012 10:26 PM)DamonHVictor Wrote:  Keep the data flowing gents.

I took Mandarin for 2 years in college but have forgotten almost all of it. Where I live is only a 1hr flight from Shanghai and 40 minutes from Taipei (!!!) so I might be getting some immersion training in the future.

My only concern is gaming Chinese chicks when you look like the rapper T.I. (minus the permanent "mean mugging" demeanor that guy has). They don't sound too fond of the dark meat. Probably best to roll out suited down and with a big disarming smile.

i dont think suits really do anything here

Post: #130

These China threads motivate me. I need to get off my ass and try to line up work over that way. I'll start today. Wouldn't mind doing 1-2 years there if the money is right. Great info gents.

Post: #131

(09-09-2012 09:36 AM)Aliblahba Wrote:  These China threads motivate me. I need to get off my ass and try to line up work over that way. I'll start today. Wouldn't mind doing 1-2 years there if the money is right. Great info gents.

Good for you man; if you have excess cash and free time and seek an adventure, then why not?

However, don't make the mistake I made; this is NOT a decision to be made lightly, and what people at home tell you will not mirror your experience. You can PM me or post in here (RNP mentioned that he was here for 5 years, so he knows what's up) and I'll try to pass you some vital tips.

Post: #132

Hey Nonpareil, could you also pass those vital tips to me as well as I'm seriously considering making China my base for the next few years at least.

Thanks man!

Post: #133

A few questions to the China Experts here, not sure if been covered before.

- What time of the year is best to buy cheaper plane tickets to China?
- How many days is a tourist visa valid for?
- Is the process of re-newing an expired tourist visa a long and tedious one? Where is it if you are in the mainland, HK?

Post: #134

(09-10-2012 01:32 PM)FretDancer Wrote:  A few questions to the China Experts here, not sure if been covered before.

- What time of the year is best to buy cheaper plane tickets to China?
- How many days is a tourist visa valid for?
- Is the process of re-newing an expired tourist visa a long and tedious one? Where is it if you are in the mainland, HK?

In terms of a visa for a US citizen, there are multiple options. I was able to receive a visa valid for 1 year with multiple entries, each entry lasting no longer than 90 days. I don't know how the Chinese gov't would view taking visa hopping trips every 90 or so days, you'd have to ask someone whose spent more time there than me.

There are other shorter, or single entry visas availble as a US citizen, but IIRC there was no benefit in getting one. They all cost the same ($140) and as far as I know you've got to obtain them in the ground. It didn't seem like you could get them in a US embassy and you certainly couldn't get one on arrival.

To obtain one on US soil you or someone representing you has to go to a Chinese consulate with an application form and a few other items and present it to the consulate. Generally you can pick it up about a week later.

I may be wrong with some of this info, and please correct me if I am, but I did this earlier this year and this is what I remember from the craptastic Chinese embassy website.

Post: #135

(09-10-2012 11:03 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Hey Nonpareil, could you also pass those vital tips to me as well as I'm seriously considering making China my base for the next few years at least.

Thanks man!

What's the goal you have in mind? If you want to teach I can give a few pointers for you, but if it's business you're interested in (I would eventually like to get into business), I will be of little help.

(09-10-2012 01:32 PM)FretDancer Wrote:  A few questions to the China Experts here, not sure if been covered before.

- What time of the year is best to buy cheaper plane tickets to China?
- How many days is a tourist visa valid for?
- Is the process of re-newing an expired tourist visa a long and tedious one? Where is it if you are in the mainland, HK?

1. Not sure, but my ticket, purchased just a few days in advance, Toronto to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to Hangzhou, was under $1000. I would imagine the Spring, after Chinese New Years, would be cheap, and also the Fall.

2. 90 Days, and it is technically illegal to work on a Tourist VISA...don't go to a school that can't get you a Work (Z) VISA.

3. All I had to do was go to HK and give my information to a guy; my contact here set it all up, though it's probably a good idea to persist and remind your boss that you need a VISA renewal about a month before your VISA expires.

Post: #136

I'm looking into getting into business but I'm not excluding teaching at least initially so by all means, send me your tips.
Btw, from where/which site did you get a return from YYZ to HKG for under 1K a few days before your trip? Was that the direct flight with Air Canada or through the US? Thanks!

Post: #137

(09-11-2012 01:32 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  I'm looking into getting into business but I'm not excluding teaching at least initially so by all means, send me your tips.
Btw, from where/which site did you get a return from YYZ to HKG for under 1K a few days before your trip? Was that the direct flight with Air Canada or through the US? Thanks!

I have no idea the site: my mom booked it on her credit card (I have poor impulse control, and no desire to get a credit card until I'm making at least 45k) and asked for $500 to cover 'half' (she later told me it was less than a thousand), the flight was direct to HK from YYZ on Cathay Pacific, then on Dragonair from HK to Xiaoshan in Hangzhou. My departure time was about 3:30 in the afternoon.

Awful flight, one of the worst things I've ever done in my life. 16 hours over the Arctic, 3 hours on the tarmac in Macao, sprinting through Hong Kong International and almost missing my flight, then sitting on the tarmac in HK for an additional 90 minutes before my final 90 minute flight, where they then lost my luggage, fucking amateur hour.

Post: #138

Discussing Chinese visa issues is bad for my blood pressure.

Hers is what I can tell you.

Rules constantly change (or used to) and nobody knows the rules or cares to figure you them out including Public Security Bureau (PSB) and Chinese embassy employees.

Hopefully your issues are basic or you are about to enter a world of stress that I wish on nobody (been there done that, will NEVER do it again)

If it's basic, you should be ok.

i THINK you can now renew tourist visa's within China. This will involve going to the local PSB Exit and Entry Administration Office, handing over your passport, paperwork, photos, current address in China, cash for processing. Not sure if they want proof that you have money to stay a while but they might, such as money in a Chinese account or a copy of a debit or credit card.

If you are not staying at a hotel, ie apartmentt then you also need to be registered with PSB that falls within the district your apartment is in. Fairly easy, won't go into details, zero English will be spoken at this place.

Not sure the PSB Exit and Entry blah blah offices level of English depends on city and the luck of the draw. If you say tourist visa and hand them stuff you might be alright.

I've read you can do it at Pudong airport (Shanghai) don't know, the English level there has improved a lot over the years

5 days to process it. You get your passport back with a new Visa. If your visa is expiring during the processing you are fine.

People there now can comment and the option of going to HK or another country to get a new one, I never had to do it. There was a rumor forever that you had to return to your home country and HK wasn't valid but like everything else in China it wasn't enforced or it was total BS.

In short as I've said here before:

Ask a 100 Chinese a question and you will get 100 different answers, or you will get the same answer 100 times and it will be wrong.

Post: #139

sorry for the double post but want to clarify something.

for local hotel address: bring the receipt (pink I think) proves you are registered in a hotel for foreigners.

District/neighborhhod PSB is different from PSB Exit and Entry. District PSB is basically just a police station, you see them everywhere. The closest one to your apartment isn't necesarily the correct one. Learned that the hard way.

Post: #140

What was the problem with flying with Cathay? Was the service bad? the seat not comfortable and too small? Or were you squeezed in between 2 people in the middle and surrounded by screaming babies and fat people on each side of you? lol

I've read a lot of praise about Cathay and I was really considering flying with them but opted for AC due to me being a frequent flyer with them and earning enough mileage to have my next flight to Asia for next to nothing.

(09-11-2012 01:49 AM)Nonpareil Wrote:  

(09-11-2012 01:32 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  I'm looking into getting into business but I'm not excluding teaching at least initially so by all means, send me your tips.
Btw, from where/which site did you get a return from YYZ to HKG for under 1K a few days before your trip? Was that the direct flight with Air Canada or through the US? Thanks!

I have no idea the site: my mom booked it on her credit card (I have poor impulse control, and no desire to get a credit card until I'm making at least 45k) and asked for $500 to cover 'half' (she later told me it was less than a thousand), the flight was direct to HK from YYZ on Cathay Pacific, then on Dragonair from HK to Xiaoshan in Hangzhou. My departure time was about 3:30 in the afternoon.

Awful flight, one of the worst things I've ever done in my life. 16 hours over the Arctic, 3 hours on the tarmac in Macao, sprinting through Hong Kong International and almost missing my flight, then sitting on the tarmac in HK for an additional 90 minutes before my final 90 minute flight, where they then lost my luggage, fucking amateur hour.

Post: #141

Thanks for the very informative post on visas in China Redneckpunk! That will come I'm sure quite handy very soon...

Post: #142

I flew Cathay from LAX to HK and it was way better than the last carrier I used, which I think was United. Trip from HK back to LAX was good on Cathay as well. Both ways I had the seats next to me empty, so I was able to lay down and sleep across three seats.

Post: #143

Does anyone know anything about Sanya (Southern Chinese city)?

Post: #144

(09-11-2012 10:30 AM)redneckpunk Wrote:  i THINK you can now renew tourist visa's within China. This will involve going to the local PSB Exit and Entry Administration Office, handing over your passport, paperwork, photos, current address in China, cash for processing. Not sure if they want proof that you have money to stay a while but they might, such as money in a Chinese account or a copy of a debit or credit card.

This is true; my first VISA renewal at my old crook school was done in Yiwu. There is a Futian Business Data Sheet currently in the hopper (I need more visits).

(09-11-2012 01:17 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  What was the problem with flying with Cathay? Was the service bad? the seat not comfortable and too small? Or were you squeezed in between 2 people in the middle and surrounded by screaming babies and fat people on each side of you? lol

I've read a lot of praise about Cathay and I was really considering flying with them but opted for AC due to me being a frequent flyer with them and earning enough mileage to have my next flight to Asia for next to nothing.

(09-11-2012 01:49 AM)Nonpareil Wrote:  

(09-11-2012 01:32 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  I'm looking into getting into business but I'm not excluding teaching at least initially so by all means, send me your tips.
Btw, from where/which site did you get a return from YYZ to HKG for under 1K a few days before your trip? Was that the direct flight with Air Canada or through the US? Thanks!

I have no idea the site: my mom booked it on her credit card (I have poor impulse control, and no desire to get a credit card until I'm making at least 45k) and asked for $500 to cover 'half' (she later told me it was less than a thousand), the flight was direct to HK from YYZ on Cathay Pacific, then on Dragonair from HK to Xiaoshan in Hangzhou. My departure time was about 3:30 in the afternoon.

Awful flight, one of the worst things I've ever done in my life. 16 hours over the Arctic, 3 hours on the tarmac in Macao, sprinting through Hong Kong International and almost missing my flight, then sitting on the tarmac in HK for an additional 90 minutes before my final 90 minute flight, where they then lost my luggage, fucking amateur hour.

On the contrary; the service on Cathay was excellent; in my first post I praise it (I drank a shit-ton of free scotch and watched Breaking Bad on that flight); it's just that the whole ordeal was a big pain in the ass. After sending me up in an unsafe plane 4 years ago and keeping me and the LTR in Vegas for an extra night (and not strip Vegas, right near McCarran), Air Canada can suck my dick.

My problems with the flight have nothing to do with Cathay at all. I should also mention that I'm 6'3, so I got an 'extended' seat; I was sitting in the front row and had mad legroom.

(09-11-2012 10:22 PM)Menace Wrote:  Does anyone know anything about Sanya (Southern Chinese city)?

I know it's on Hainan Island, the southernmost point in China, it's a popular vacation spot (often called 'China's Hawaii') and it's a place I really want to go. If you can get a job there, I would take it.

Post: #145

(09-11-2012 11:31 PM)Nonpareil Wrote:  I know it's on Hainan Island, the southernmost point in China, it's a popular vacation spot (often called 'China's Hawaii') and it's a place I really want to go. If you can get a job there, I would take it.

Hainan is supposedly expensive nowadays, lots of buildings going up. Thought Ive never been, the beach is supposedly just ok, nothing on the thai beaches. Or the bitches for that matter.

And be prepared for all of china to be there in the winter, all rich shanghanese and beijingese come down there. People from as far as Chengdu go there too. So potentially good marks, but also expensive.