Comments on: Standing In Doorways http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/expat-stuff/china-expat-rants/standing-in-doorways/ No-nonsense China Expat & Travel Community Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:53:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: belle http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/expat-stuff/china-expat-rants/standing-in-doorways/#comment-15106 belle Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:27:51 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2006/11/14/standing-in-doorways/#comment-15106 Ah hah, I thought just as much. Westerners are just so impatient. It took 20 odd years for China to embrace consumerism, may be in 20 years, they might give up censorship :) ... definitely more cost effective. I do plan to visit China and hope to focus on the positive side of the trip. But it's good to read some scary stuff so that I shan't become complacent. One thing that I can't stand is people discussing oneself when they know I can't understand them ( but know they are discussing me). The Chinese do this all the time, it's so bad mannered. But some years ago a couple of British guys who claimed to be Oxford graduates discussed me in bad French. If I wasn't in such a good mood, they would have heard a few choice French words I knew. So disappointing, being from an ex British colony, I thought only high class people go to Oxford... Ah hah, I thought just as much. Westerners are just so impatient. It took 20 odd years for China to embrace consumerism, may be in 20 years, they might give up censorship :) … definitely more cost effective.

I do plan to visit China and hope to focus on the positive side of the trip. But it’s good to read some scary stuff so that I shan’t become complacent. One thing that I can’t stand is people discussing oneself when they know I can’t understand them ( but know they are discussing me). The Chinese do this all the time, it’s so bad mannered. But some years ago a couple of British guys who claimed to be Oxford graduates discussed me in bad French. If I wasn’t in such a good mood, they would have heard a few choice French words I knew. So disappointing, being from an ex British colony, I thought only high class people go to Oxford…

]]> By: Fred http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/expat-stuff/china-expat-rants/standing-in-doorways/#comment-15104 Fred Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:17:30 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2006/11/14/standing-in-doorways/#comment-15104 Just came across this through the recent comments and see it's from 2006. And we're all still here :) @Belle - absolutely come, these kinds of incidents are really few and far between and most people are extremely friendly and patient. As happens to everyone, I've been experiencing an increasing wave of frustration with life here. Not with necessarily 'big' things like physical safety or jobs, etc. but with the 'small' things like internet freedom, the incessant pettiness of the censors and having to constantly skirt certain subject. That said, I've totally reached grumpy old man/cat lady status and would most likely be a curmudgeon in any country I lived in. Just came across this through the recent comments and see it’s from 2006. And we’re all still here :)

@Belle – absolutely come, these kinds of incidents are really few and far between and most people are extremely friendly and patient.

As happens to everyone, I’ve been experiencing an increasing wave of frustration with life here. Not with necessarily ‘big’ things like physical safety or jobs, etc. but with the ‘small’ things like internet freedom, the incessant pettiness of the censors and having to constantly skirt certain subject.

That said, I’ve totally reached grumpy old man/cat lady status and would most likely be a curmudgeon in any country I lived in.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/expat-stuff/china-expat-rants/standing-in-doorways/#comment-15102 Ryan Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:15:14 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2006/11/14/standing-in-doorways/#comment-15102 @Belle: Definitely come! There are few places on the planet that are so difficult to go to alone that they should be avoided. Definitely take this post with a grain of salt -- as the category says, it's a rant and should be read as such. My only suggestion when travelling in China is to dig deep into the well of patience, and take it all as it comes. It's a pretty wild ride. @Belle: Definitely come! There are few places on the planet that are so difficult to go to alone that they should be avoided. Definitely take this post with a grain of salt — as the category says, it’s a rant and should be read as such.

My only suggestion when travelling in China is to dig deep into the well of patience, and take it all as it comes. It’s a pretty wild ride.

]]> By: belle http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/expat-stuff/china-expat-rants/standing-in-doorways/#comment-15099 belle Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:11:59 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2006/11/14/standing-in-doorways/#comment-15099 I have been reading trip advisor about travelling in China and it does not have anything like what you have here. Usually I travel alone but it had been to English speaking countries or countries where English is widely spoken. Now I am thinking hard after reading your blog. Would you say it wise of me to go to China on my own, then buy a tour package there, or go in a tour group from home or don't come? Don't worry about being biased. I have been reading trip advisor about travelling in China and it does not have anything like what you have here. Usually I travel alone but it had been to English speaking countries or countries where English is widely spoken. Now I am thinking hard after reading your blog. Would you say it wise of me to go to China on my own, then buy a tour package there, or go in a tour group from home or don’t come? Don’t worry about being biased.

]]> By: Mr. One Tone http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/expat-stuff/china-expat-rants/standing-in-doorways/#comment-13685 Mr. One Tone Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:30:30 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2006/11/14/standing-in-doorways/#comment-13685 To the Dude responsible for this blog, Thank you. My deepest thoughts/feelings...or whatever they have become, are not alone anymore. I have a love/hate relationship with my China. Here's the latest: I attend a very high end gym in Beijing. Yesterday I finished my workout, went to the locker-room, and began the process of changing clothes. Ten feet to the right of the lockers is a section with mirrors, a scale, hair dryers placed on a counter which is about hip level, and of course the self-standing human size microwave machine, in front of which naked men with ridiculously small packages contemplate themselves, and "save" paying 3 RMB for a new towel, so they just stand there for 10 minutes. After a year of being a member of this club, I am used to seeing things that in the western world would seem outrageous...but yesterday I saw a new one: As I'm getting ready to leave my locker, I decided to walk to the area with the mirror, hair dryers, and scale. I wanted to check my weight. As I turn the corner I see a naked man standing facing the wall to wall mirror with the hair dryer on high power sitting on the counter and pointing at his pecker. I stood there in complete disbelief (others might think I'm gay or something like that) as this man (oriental) is brushing his hair ( the hair on the head above his ears) while the hair dryer is cooking his pea size "thingie". I turned around and left the scale for another day. Speechless...only questions...why? why? why? To the Dude responsible for this blog,

Thank you.

My deepest thoughts/feelings…or whatever they have become, are not alone anymore. I have a love/hate relationship with my China. Here’s the latest: I attend a very high end gym in Beijing. Yesterday I finished my workout, went to the locker-room, and began the process of changing clothes. Ten feet to the right of the lockers is a section with mirrors, a scale, hair dryers placed on a counter which is about hip level, and of course the self-standing human size microwave machine, in front of which naked men with ridiculously small packages contemplate themselves, and “save” paying 3 RMB for a new towel, so they just stand there for 10 minutes.

After a year of being a member of this club, I am used to seeing things that in the western world would seem outrageous…but yesterday I saw a new one: As I’m getting ready to leave my locker, I decided to walk to the area with the mirror, hair dryers, and scale. I wanted to check my weight. As I turn the corner I see a naked man standing facing the wall to wall mirror with the hair dryer on high power sitting on the counter and pointing at his pecker. I stood there in complete disbelief (others might think I’m gay or something like that) as this man (oriental) is brushing his hair ( the hair on the head above his ears) while the hair dryer is cooking his pea size “thingie”.
I turned around and left the scale for another day.
Speechless…only questions…why? why? why?

]]> By: a-Chinese http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/expat-stuff/china-expat-rants/standing-in-doorways/#comment-63 a-Chinese Mon, 04 Dec 2006 15:43:36 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2006/11/14/standing-in-doorways/#comment-63 In the Mao Zedong period, such thing will never happen. Today, people in China are better off but much more material,pratical, and self-centered. They do not believe Mao Zedong's communism and they also have not yet developed a set of morals for such an commercial society. They are neither the typical pure and simple-minded Chinese in Mao period nor the moden American people. In the Mao Zedong period, such thing will never happen. Today, people in China are better off but much more material,pratical, and self-centered. They do not believe Mao Zedong’s communism and they also have not yet developed a set of morals for such an commercial society. They are neither the typical pure and simple-minded Chinese in Mao period nor the moden American people.

]]> By: a-Chinese http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/expat-stuff/china-expat-rants/standing-in-doorways/#comment-62 a-Chinese Mon, 04 Dec 2006 15:16:31 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2006/11/14/standing-in-doorways/#comment-62 We Chinese ourselves thinks we are not safe in some big cities. How could you? Although this kind of things seldom happened to me, but i do believe this things will happen to me probabaly few seconds later. I have no chance to travel to the Dalian. I am in Shenzhe. In Shekou district of Shenzhen, there are maybe more foreigners and policemen. You may choose stay in Shenzhen and travel to Hong Kong. Next time, if you feel you cannot manage, do not fight, remember just give up. The bad guy may hurt you more in an mixed mood of being scared,eager to escape, and being insulted by you. You konw, a gun or knife will make the bad guy think themsevlves the God or emperor who hold can determine your life. As for those damned audience, you konw some Chinese only care for their own life and safety, some are too shy to extend help to man speaking the language they could not understand, and some eager to learn english and befriending foreigner learned from website that a few foreigners think they are uneducatd and brainwashed. Why would they help? In china, most heros who are hurt and handicapped in their bravery deeds have to pay the hospital fee themselves. The government reluctant to support all of these hero. The city level government want the town level government to support, and the town level government want the village government support. At last, they draw a conclusion, they should not pay the bonus because the hero is hurt serverl days later by retorsion instead of being on spot. Like a man survive in his heroical deeds to put out the neighbor's fire, but dead when went his home. His car accident in nothing with his heroical deeds. The Chinese government do not pay for the heroic deeds in most cases. Cordially wish your sister will soon recuperate and you will find your happy place again! We Chinese ourselves thinks we are not safe in some big cities. How could you?
Although this kind of things seldom happened to me, but i do believe this things will happen to me probabaly few seconds later.

I have no chance to travel to the Dalian. I am in Shenzhe. In Shekou district of Shenzhen, there are maybe more foreigners and policemen. You may choose stay in Shenzhen and travel to Hong Kong.

Next time, if you feel you cannot manage, do not fight, remember just give up. The bad guy may hurt you more in an mixed mood of being scared,eager to escape, and being insulted by you. You konw, a gun or knife will make the bad guy think themsevlves the God or emperor who hold can determine your life.

As for those damned audience, you konw some Chinese only care for their own life and safety, some are too shy to extend help to man speaking the language they could not understand, and some eager to learn english and befriending foreigner learned from website that a few foreigners think they are uneducatd and brainwashed.
Why would they help? In china, most heros who are hurt and handicapped in their bravery deeds have to pay the hospital fee themselves. The government reluctant to support all of these hero. The city level government want the town level government to support, and the town level government want the village government support. At last, they draw a conclusion, they should not pay the bonus because the hero is hurt serverl days later by retorsion instead of being on spot. Like a man survive in his heroical deeds to put out the neighbor’s fire, but dead when went his home. His car accident in nothing with his heroical deeds. The Chinese government do not pay for the heroic deeds in most cases.

Cordially wish your sister will soon recuperate and you will find your happy place again!

]]> By: Lonnie http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/expat-stuff/china-expat-rants/standing-in-doorways/#comment-48 Lonnie Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:00:33 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2006/11/14/standing-in-doorways/#comment-48 Some 40,000 Chinese were jailed for theft involving violence or assualt (grabbed from a motorbike, etc) in Guangzhou last year alone! It is not just a laowai thing... Sorry you went through that... I had money snatched from my hands near the Forbidden City about a year ago....But, I am a 6th dan in Hapkido....I put the man in a wrist lock and dropped him to the ground...It was a Kodak moment...After the initial shock, he ran away and the gawkers moved on... Some 40,000 Chinese were jailed for theft involving violence or assualt (grabbed from a motorbike, etc) in Guangzhou last year alone! It is not just a laowai thing…

Sorry you went through that…

I had money snatched from my hands near the Forbidden City about a year ago….But, I am a 6th dan in Hapkido….I put the man in a wrist lock and dropped him to the ground…It was a Kodak moment…After the initial shock, he ran away and the gawkers moved on…

]]> By: Ryan http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/expat-stuff/china-expat-rants/standing-in-doorways/#comment-47 Ryan Fri, 17 Nov 2006 06:07:33 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2006/11/14/standing-in-doorways/#comment-47 Haha... yeah. The "fa ke" thing comes from my buddy Matt. Back in the Dalian/Jinzhou days we'd come up with creative messages to each other using Chinese characters to make up English phonetics. And the Dante you're thinking of is not the Dante I'm quoting. Haha… yeah. The “fa ke” thing comes from my buddy Matt. Back in the Dalian/Jinzhou days we’d come up with creative messages to each other using Chinese characters to make up English phonetics.

And the Dante you’re thinking of is not the Dante I’m quoting.

]]> By: Chris http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/expat-stuff/china-expat-rants/standing-in-doorways/#comment-46 Chris Fri, 17 Nov 2006 05:38:00 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2006/11/14/standing-in-doorways/#comment-46 That should have been "fa'ke them all" of course. Sorry to trash up your comments! That should have been “fa’ke them all” of course. Sorry to trash up your comments!

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