Week 3 Nov Shanghai

Week 3-Shanghai

I finally moved into my apt. Which feel very strange after living in small quarter in Philly and in NY. This place is huge. I end up walking from one room to another, looking for clothes and my office stuff. Like a country boy in the city, Lost in my own apt. In NY, I just glided across the room, I have access to my files and things that I needed all in one place. Here it seems I have a lot of storage spaces. In fact it is only an elusion, most of the draws are so shadow, can’t put too much stuff in there without getting full.

The other fact that I use to dim mood lighting in my apt in NY, here the effect is not by desire. It is all low wattages bulbs. Unless you turn on the overhead, which I call the investigation room lighting effect, I hate to say that you will need a lot of make up for the unfaltering reality effect. I ask to have them change, the landlord think I am really strange. He doesn’t understand why I wanted to pay more for elect when I don’t have to.

The move:
My experience of moving into my apt so far is quite an experience. When I first move to NYC, I though finding and getting settle in the city was hard, compare to here in Shanghai that was a breeze. Without the help of the realtor my company hired for me. I would be in a total lost.

For starter:
My apartment are 100% furnished, therefore you really had to look and bargain. You can ask for what you want, depends on the landlord, they may give it to you, or may not. You also had to write down on the lease that what you are expecting, or the day you move in all your furniture will change to different pieces. Plus, you have to make sure that they are willing to give you a receipt on your rent. Even though I had to pay an extra $50 USD a month for it. Please don’t even try to ask me how that works.

The agent is also expected to set up all the utilities and TV etc because it is not a one-bill town. You will not know whom to call to get utilities set up. If you think there will be yellow page, or operator, think again.

All the utilities are states own; there are all separate companies. That means you had to set up, water, gas, electric, drinking water, local TV, cable TV, Internet, and WIFI all from different people. They all send you separate bills and you will have to send you maid to go wait in line to pay them monthly, because there is no Internet payment. That alone is a full time job. Plus you have to wait for them to show up, let them in, and wait. The funny thing is, after the work is done, they wanted to hang out with you. I can’t get this people out of the house. No one is in a hurry to go anywhere or do anything.

With that shocker behind me, I finally settled in. At least I thought so until I came home one night and found my living room turn into a Chinese laundry parlor. My maid had all my (clean laundry) hanging on the rack to dry in the middle of the living room, because I do not want to see laundry on the balcony. Why do you think she will think that I will want to see laundry in the living room when I do not wanted to see them outside? Plus I had a dryer, I am not sure if she does not know how to use it, or she is trying to save me money and energy. No thanks. The next week, she move it all into my bed room, until I finally had her trained to leave the rack in the guest bedroom on the other wing, so I do not have to see them. On the plus side, she did iron all my underwear’s, and handkerchiefs. I suppose that was my treat. Ha ha.

Another shocker for the Bedroom:
There is fitted sheet for your mattress and pillowcases, and duvets, but no flat sheets for my bed set. I thought I left it in the store, so I ran out and buy another set, the same thing happened, until I realize Chinese do not use flat sheets. Am I even Chinese. How come I never realize that many years I stay in hotels in HK?

IKEA to the rescue:
Thanks God there is IKEA. Yes, you will never hear me say that, just like you never hear me say that next time when you see a 7/11. “Kiss them”. You never know how good they are catering to your need, until you left the land of plenty.

Never the less, I had to go to IKEA, Just to get plates and pots and pans. I was looking for William Sonoma, and that was none to be found. What about Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrels? Where are they now when you need them? Nothing likes that at all. In stead Tiffany is everywhere. I can eat on the diamond plate can’t I? Hummn, may be in the future.

I suppose I am some what spoil, like my friend asks me a week ago “What is a spoil American boy doing in China?” Well. To be honest, I am experiencing a little culture shock. Never the less, IKEA is fine. I even found floor matt, and lots of lights. At least old habits die-hard, I need my mood lights. I must have spend over $1000 USD for cheap light. So, Never mind the bright light of Shanghai or NY, or even Christmas in Rockefeller center. I am creating my own light show. Just wait till the government crack down on my electric bill.

Winter is approaching:
I just found out I had to buy more stuffs in preparing for the winter chill. That was after I discover all the air unit in the apt only goes up to 30ºc I though that was not operating correctly, until I found out later, the government decided that as long as you are not frozen. 30oc is fine for everyone. If you want warmer environment, there is space heater and electric blanket you can buy. I suppose that helps the economy too. Never mind that I complain to the agent. She is bringing me (a) space heater. So big deal. I am heading back to the store. I am not living in Siberia unless I have no choice.

Something I learn in three weeks:
As long as you complain loudly, you usually can get your way with a lot. I also learn that; if they are louder, try to overcome you. You just raise your voice a little higher, that high pitch “C” really comes in handy some times. If that does not work, speak English. I guarantee, they will stop. Once they knew you are not from South East Asia, the tone changed. I am not making friends that way, but at least I get my way. Ha ha.

Never the less, I do have problem with the food here. In Hong Kong, I had the best food, no matter where I go. Here the foods are very greasy and salty. Lot’s of deep fried food, and noodles. I stopped eating locally because that food although very inexpensive, does not settle with me well. There are abundant of fruit and vegetable, but the preparation to make sure it is clean is very time consuming.

My maid thought I am a nut case, when she found all my glasses are in the refrigerator. I told her water taste better cold although I can’t find ice rack for sell anywhere. She already asks for a raise. I do not know why is it hard work for her to take care of just one person. I pay her more than you will get pay by local family. Never the less, they will try to get as much money out of you as possible when you are an expat. No way to avoid that. If you think you are smarter than they are, think again. They had years of practice before you were born. So I gave in and pay to buy a piece of mind. I will make all my guests take their dirt laundry home with them. LOL.

Grocery is another sour subject:
The other days I spend $200 USD at a grocery store, and I do not know what I got at all. It was 50 RMB here, and 80 there, before you know it is in the thousands. That how expensive, that is if you want to eat American products. That kind of humbles me and put things into prospective. My inherited friends here are all super wealthy; they do not understand why I am not willing to spend the penny. That is because I think their way is wasteful. Compare to the locals. They are filthy rich. If I am going to be here for the next two years, I wanted to live among the locals, and learn from the, but I will not eat like them, that is suicide.

Perhaps no one will expect even banking in China is a hassle.
I thought how big a deal it is if they said that my international account with Citibank from the US is not good enough, I must open up a personal local account in China. (I had the same problem with my HSBC account in HK. I can’t deposit into it, so surprises there). The appointment were set up before I left NY, and twice confirmed. Little did I know when I arrived at the bank for the appointment, my contact was nowhere to be found and the correspondent officer, whom my personal banker was talking to from NY, was actually work in Citibank Singapore. That means no one actually talk to US. Never mind know what my appointment is for.

As usual I got luck out once again, (Nice guy usually pays off). I stumbled into one of the nicest Money manger one can find in China, but that was where the good part of this ordeal stopped.

First I realize that there is no check in China. I had to have a debit card account for my company to direct deposit my paycheck into my China account.

Got it so far?
If I need to take out USD to put into my US account or just USD cash, I had to open a settlement account so I can transfer my money from the debit account to the settlement account. But not so fast, no money yet. That is not the end of the story.

Transfer between china bank and international bank even though it is the same Citibank is not allowed. I can only wire money from Chinese local bank to international bank, and that is the only way, no exception. Therefore I have to physically go to the bank with my
1. My employment offer letter.
2. My pay stub.
3. The China tax office Tax form.
4. My passport.
Every time if I want money wire from my Chinese account to my US account, this does not happen just once, I had to do it every month, if I wanted to take money out, is there more complicated than that? I suppose the government is either testing my patient, or they think I don’t have anything better to do with my life every day for a week.

I know this week ‘s email is not as funny as the other week, consider, I just worked 6 days, and it will be working the weekend again tomorrow and Sunday. Plus I had the flu with no access to medicine, on witch doctors with water down crab that may actually kill me first before getting better. Not to mention I had to take the bill pay the cashier then back to the pharmacy before I can get my hand on any of the crab I bought.

Thanks for my God send assistance; she had to make a quick escape to the US and brought me back (WESTERN) medicine, and cough drops. Before I had to head to the black market for some relief. Who would have heard of a famous name like Watson’s in Shanghai only selling cosmetic in their super store. Let the people die? We don’t care? God help me this is only the third week. Ha ha.

Never the less, your Ed still standing, happy as ever, never bitter, just a little confused.

Chance Encounter Shanghai China