你有没有获悉任何中国尚未吗？

 

Is that the hawking and spitting smilie?


Stan, my nephews are computer gurus and went to Japan and India. awesome to hear about cultures different from us but soon to be affected.

my sis in law is as high as a Western woman can be in a Chinese company. She has worked faithfully for 27 years but there is no loyality outside a Chinese lineage. She has worked 24/7 some times at all things outside of the normal business she was hired to manage, no vacations. Chinese have a very different perspective on employee rules.... but sometimes the boss can be very generous. fleetingly though...talk about roll with the punches... she has always declined to go with them to china, saying it 'isn't very nice'. never pushed her to explain.

keep up the postings until the secret police take you away.....LOL kidding

 

Stan, if you get a chance, go see the Great Wall of China. It's an amazing structure, especially when you consider how long ago it was built.

 

Your observations are very interesting but I don't trust the Chinese government one bit. Its behavior towards U.S. media coverage of the Olympics there, Google's withdrawal from the country due to government interference with internet commerce, their phony government "statistics," their dishonest transactions (buying an aircraft carrier from the Turks, claiming they were going to turn it into a floating hotel but in reality reverse-engineering it so they could design and build their own), etc. etc. I just don't trust them.

The first conflict should be naval, over control of the South China Sea. The U.S. sees it as a vital shipping lane and China considers the waters territorial.

 

Im not sure what hotel your staying at, but back when my boss was going regularly, he would request a westerner room at the hotel. They would be on a different network, have different cable channels, and normal bathrooms.
Another thing you can do is see if your company has a corporate VPN. It basically does what your $20/month service does, but wont cost you anything. drawback is the company you work for can monitor everything you do.

 

you're a pretty good Okie, ya know that?

dang you have some travel experience.....

 

Shhhhhhh.

This is on my list of things to do.

I agree and don't trust them either.

The company may have a VPN, but as their system is tied in with the local government, (which we work with) I would rather pay the $20 a month like I am for my own private VPN.
I am staying at the Sheraton which is pretty well westernized anyway.

Who you talking to, Fronty or me?

 

Even tho I have only been here a short while, I can easily see that China is on the move. Here are a few more reasons why I can say this:

The auto industry here is booming. There is a very large contingency of Germans here working at BMW and VW. VW experienced a 14.4% sales increas here from Jan - Aug. That sure beats the states. China is expecting by next year to become the largest luxury car maker in the world.

Here is a number I have trouble getting my head around; Bosch here in China manufacture 100 million spark plugs annually and 80 million brake pads and has 3,000 employees.

Beijing became the worlds second busiest airport in 2010. I saw a chart that showed there were 1056 airplanes in the air over China at 9:15 yesterday.

Here are some of just a few sites to see in this city:

Wuai Market
Wuai Market is one of the largest shopping complexes in China, if not the world – it must be seen to be believed. At Wuai Market one can buy traditional Chinese arts and crafts, clothes, fake designer fashion accessories (watches, purses, belts, etc.), luggage, electronics, DVDs, toys – anything and everything is to be found at this massive shopping complex. Show up ready to bargain because everything is negotiable at Wuai Market.

Liaoning TV Tower
At 1002 feet /305.5 meters tall, the Liaoning TV tower is a landmark that can be seen from almost anywhere in Shenyang. We’ll ride an elevator to a viewing deck near the top of this impressive tower with a commanding view of the entire city.

Daxi Caihang Outdoor Market
At night, this lazy back street comes alive with people buying and selling a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, spices and much more. Locals enthusiastically haggle over prices and merchants advertise their products by shouting out over the crowds of people filing up and down this narrow market street.

Qianshuibeng Square
Located next to the US Consulate just a fifteen-minute walk from Langston, Qianshuibeng Square is a great place to witness the way Chinese parks come alive in the evening. From dusk well into the night, there are hundreds of people practicing traditional dance, various forms of martial arts, badminton matches, ping pong, and various other exercises. And adding to the festive atmosphere are groups of people both young and old out for an evening stroll.

Liuniao Tea House
Liuniao is Shenyang’s most well-known tea house. While there you can enjoy a traditional Chinese tea-making ceremony while kicking back in Liuniao’s unique environment surrounded by indoor fountains, lush plant life and parrots climbing on their large wooden cages.

 

It doesn't look like Im gonna make my personal goal of 5 continents this year...

 

Not at all. China has grown a lot, but most of it is an illusion. If not for American deficit spending providing them a means to manipulate their currency and make everything so much cheaper to make in China, their growth would be anemic.

While the coming correction will hit America hard, I suspect it may hit China harder.

China is one of the biggest economic bubbles ever made.

 

Interesting observation. Could not the same be said about other economies such as Saudi Arabia or any of the Arab countries that rely on oil as an export? If the US fails in any way and slows down or quits buying from China, will there not be a domino effect for the oil producing countries?

 

Indeed there will be. But there is very little price elasticity in oil compared to many other such products.

Oil has to get pretty doggone expensive before it is no longer economical (which is an announced objective of our current Energy Secretary, Dr. Steven Chu). This is because there are not only the costs of consuming some other energy source, but the cost of transitioning the infrastructure over to that other source.

JH

 

I have been noticing that a lot of cars have a small red ribbon tied around the spoke of one wheel. When I asked about this I was told it is to bring luck. As the color red is to prominent here, decided to do a little research on it. There is a stack of info on the internet about this, but decided to post some info I discovered in case it is of interest to somebody.


China Red, the Color of China.

From among a world of colors, red stands out the most. The color red is fresh and pure, and in China we call it China Red. Chinese people are fascinated by the color red not only because of its intoxicating vibrancy, but also because of its rich meaning in Chinese culture and history.

It is believed that no country in the world has ever adopted a color in such a thoroughgoing way as China, where red is a symbol that gives color to the soul of the nation. In the past, red stood for dignity and mystery. Even now, we adore the color much more than we love it. It is can be said that 'China Red' is an eternal theme for China, and an essential color for the Chinese people. "China Red" has become a quite popular word, attracting the world's attention.

Shooting red-colored things in China is an easy task, as its powerful presence can be found every-where. All traditional red things have been playing special roles in China: the walls of ancient palaces, the national flag, Chinese knot, lantern, couplet, clothes, traditional paper-cuts for window decorations, and even red tanghulu (sugar-coated haws on a stick). Red is the color of the auspicious, signifying reunion, health, happiness, harmony, peace and prosperity. Only real things and events can fully display and explain its beauty. Only in its relation with people can the color be alive and meaningful. Here we will reveal the cultural significance of China red.

Lanterns in China are more than lighting devices and red lanterns are regarded as a basic symbol of the Chinese culture, a symbol of brightness, happiness and reunion. Both the gigantic lanterns at the Tiananmen Gate and the small lanterns of a peasant's hut express the same warm, happy and joyous atmosphere. You see a red lantern and your mind thinks of China.

Supposed to warn away evil sprits while brightening the mood with the red glow of good luck, red lanterns are considered a necessity of traditional Chinese festivals. In Lantern Festival(the fifteenth day of the first Chinese lunar month), the preferred warm red of traditional lanterns creates a convivial atmosphere at the family reunion as well as lights up the hope for the New Year. Lanterns, especially the red-colored, deserve adoration for the magical element they add to the atmosphere.

The cheongsam is a high-necked dress with distinctive Chinese features. The dress is buttoned on the right side, with a loose chest, a fitting waist, and slits up from the sides, all of which combine to enhance the beauty of the female shape. Easy to slip on and comfortable to wear, the cheongsam perfectly fits the beautiful figure of females.

The Cheongsam, especially the red-colored, is one of the most typical, traditional costumes of Chinese women. Even though Cheongsam is not often appearing in daily life, it is worth collecting, for it reflects the Chinese culture and arts with its national characteristics and strong happy colors and fashion designs. That's why brides in China choose red cheongsam as their most preferred dress, to perform the traditional Chinese wedding ceremony and create a happy environment.

The cheongsam enjoys a long history and is now enjoying resurgence in popularity in the world of international fashion. After evolvement and development, Cheongsam has become an inspiration for fashion designers. Regarded as a symbol of the Chinese nation, Cheongsam is often seen worn by women on formal or semi-formal occasions. In either case, it creates an impression of simple and quiet charm, elegance and neatness. No wonder cheongsam is so much liked by women not only of China but of foreign countries as well.

Pasting red spring couplet has been an important part of the Chinese New Year's celebration since ancient times. On lunar New Year's Eve, families in both urban and rural areas make it a point to decorate their gates or apartment doorframes with the customary couplets.

The couplet, written on two strips of red paper, is composed of two poetic sentences which match and rhyme with each other to express hopes for the coming year. The red couplets, along with the New Year paintings on the door, serve as beautiful decorations as well as protective talismans.

Daofu is one of the most popular forms of paper-cutting. The word "fu",which means good luck and happiness, is written on a square red paper and often displayed upside down (dao) on doors and elsewhere. The act of turning the word “fortune” upside down is called daofu, which literally means "Good luck is coming!" It is not only a play on words, but a play with words.

In China, to celebrate happy events, firecrackers are set off not only for the color, but for the 'Noise' too. People in China believes that red firecrackers can not only make noises and bring good luck, but scare off evil spirits and ghosts with the loud pop as well. The floor is covered by a layer of red color pieces.

It is a tradition in Chinese families for the youngsters to give their elders the following greeting during the 15-day Spring Festival: "Gong xi fa cai, hong bao na lai!" which means: "Wish you a prosperous new year. Give me a red envelope!" The older members of the family will then give the youngsters a red (for luck) envelope with a gift of money. The elderly may also place the red envelopes under their pillows on the Chinese New Year's Eve to give them surprises. The money is wrapped in red envelops called hongbao in Chinese. The custom in China is much like the one in western countries that Father Christmas comes down the chimney and places gifts in children's stockings when they are sleeping.

As in China color red is connected with good luck, the red envelopes are supposed to protect children from evil spirits. The custom is extremely popular with children. But what they really care about is the lucky money inside the red envelopes, which they can use to buy the things they like. It is no wonder Chinese kids love red so much!

Should you wish to bring good fortune upon yourself then I am sure that you will be absolutely delighted to give your red envelopes to your lovely kids!

The best way to feel China Red is to stay in China during the Spring Festival or attend a Chinese wedding. To celebrate the Spring Festival – the most important festival in China, people will set off red firecrackers, paste red couplets on doorframes and red paper-cuts on windows, hang and light red lanterns at night, and give out red envelopes to kids.

In contrast to the use of white, especially with wedding dresses, popular in many western countries, a Chinese wedding features the use of red, which is supposed to ensure a happy future for the couple. In a traditional Chinese wedding, you will find red everywhere. Red candles create a cozy and warm environment, and red Double Happiness characters are pasted on doors and walls. Red invitation cards are sent and guests present red envelopes. The new bed is covered with red bed sheets and red quilts. The couple walks down a red carpet, strewn with red flowers. Even at modern weddings, where the bride wears the western white wedding gown for the ceremony, it is customary for her to change into something red for the reception.

In China, red is more than just a color. It carries the ancient history and culture of the Chinese nation. China Red is filled with mysterious charm beyond description and it is right here in China waiting for you to feel, to discover!

 

Had my first Chinese haircut today. Asked around and discovered that there is a barber shop close to where I am staying, so sauntered over. I was half expecting a sort of hole in the wall place, but it was large with many chairs and even had the traditional barbers pole outside. Everything was in Chinese, except for the large "HAIR SALON" that could be read from the road.

When I went in was met by a nice young Chinese girl who asked me in English to follow her. Who wouldn't follow a good looking young lady who asked you to follow her? Oops, back to the topic. She gave me a thin black sort of long shirt to put on and then led me to one of those reclining chairs and washed my hair. She then took me to another room and left me with a young guy who sat me down in traditional barbers chair, except this one did not rotate. He placed the usual white cover over me from the front first and then cut my hair and kept on checking if it was the right length to suit me.

After he cut my hair another 'guy' took me back to the first room and washed my hair again, plus gave me a short scalp massage. He then took me to the second room where he completed the cut by trimming some stray hairs and making sure I was happy.

Total cost for the haircut came to US$7.80. No tip was required nor expected. Will go back there next month for sure.

 

Kinda pricey for a shampoo, haircut, and scalp massage...
you should have gotten the manicure and full massage for that price...