There are few bloggers that have graced the English-language China blogsphere (seriously – there must be a better way to phrase that) with such wit and hilarity as has ex-Yellow Wings blogger, ex-Sinocidal blogger and ex-laowai Meursault (aka Chou Chou).
Well, he’s returned — in writing at least — with a humorously cautionary guest post at MyLaowai entitled “Things Never To Trust in China“.
The list of 50 items is “entry #1 in an ongoing infinite series” – here are a few of my favs:
- A 50/50 androgynous student. Always assume the worst.
- Any declaration or announcement from any Chinese authority that begins with the words “For your safety”.
- Shops that only consist of a man in a bomber jacket smoking a cigarette next to a fridge.
- Directions from a man who pauses for more than one second.
- The information plaques in museums.
- “And now on CCTV, news from our Tibet Correspondent.”
- “Mei wenti”.
- The exact time in Xinjiang.
- Anyone who refers to you as “friend”, and especially anyone who refers to you as “old friend”.
- Chinese proverbs that suspiciously back up EXACTLY the point the person was talking about.
Ryan came to China in the wee morning of 2005 as a way to get to Australia. He assumes there's still a visa waiting for him at the Sydney airport. 
Thanks for mentioning this…almost forgot that site was still around (I’ve been out of it since moving away from China).
I saw your tweet about not being in China – had no idea you left. Long-term move?
You really do have to be careful of those androgynous students! I have a student who I was absolutely certain was a boy. Several weeks into the school year, she came to class wearing a dress and a bow in her hair. Now I know the truth…
Ryan, I left last month…planned on it for quite some time. And it should be long-term, though my mind may change if the job prospects don’t pan out. Of course, I may just try to convince my wife to move to Costa Rica instead.