week 9 Dec Shanghai

Week 9th Shanghai.
I survived another week in Shanghai.
It is not too much of an exciting week, since I am started to get use to all the so call indifferences as I saw it and accept things as they are. Am I giving in, far from it, if you even think that way, then you do not know me at all.
All week long I was looking forward to the Inter Nation gather, and what is exactly is Inter Nation? It is a world wide organization that is establish for all expats in different countries a place to get to gather to net work, share experiences, good food and an excuse to get a little drunk, or may be even make some meaningful relationships, if you know what I meant. : 0
Never the less, it is not too expensive to go to the event like this. How much you think a buffet dinner that last for two hours with two free drinks and happy hours two for one drinks all night till 11PM.actually cost? By the way it is at the Ritz Carlton Hotel’s Jazz lounge….
(Well you guess wrong).
I said that because you will never believe me. If you are a member, your membership fee is (3 pound a month, that include a lot of other extra events). For this event your cost is 100RMB, or you are not a member, you cost is 200RMB. That is about $33 USD. Now that is a bargain, and of course, I usually I know where the real bargains are, since I am the prince on a budget.
Since it is a Christmas party, so I decided to clean up a little, that means put on my signature bow tie and pocket square, little did I know I was the best dress person in the whole bunch. I mean they dress up, just no bow tie. You know the other devil in US wears Prada, but this devil in Shanghai are equally well dressed in my Brooks Brother, and Paul smith. You can let yourself go for eating fried food, but you should “ NEVER “ dress down on any event. It usually pays off big time I got a lot of attention from both male and female.
Cruising for fortunate or connection tips:
Never look at any of guests that are checking you out when you walk into a crowded room. Focus all your attention at the first open space in the bar, zoom in with your heads up order your drinks and pay cash, save your drinks ticket later. In this case with a two for one drink price, and I immediate have three extra drinks without pay any more money later. Then you turn around walk away. Do not hang in there. If you do everyone knows that you have no friend. Walk around room head up and smile. That is how I got people stopping to say hello and exchange conversation. So horrible of me, but social skill is also like an act on the stage, you need a lot of practice to became a veteran.
That is too much information. Before you all change your perception of the sweet innocent me. I better move on.
I met a lot of very interesting people, a lot of Germany engineers and their wife’s, everyone had a story to share, and I am just listening. Can you imagine? I gave out no details I am the spy. At the end of the evening, I collected so many business cards, and I though oh well, just another one of those formality and I was wrong, hate to say again. There were emails and invitation following almost immediately to join other interesting groups to explore the city, travel, culture, food and wine. I am actually overwhelmed of the success of my first evening out, and the friendliness of the people there.
I also met two very interesting Americans, which are few and far between in China. One is a corporate lawyer here in China with his wife; the other one is a young student from Austin Texas that is also studying in the Chin Wa University School of law as an exchange student from Howard. I met CEOs, and Managers and many more. I think I hit the jackpot.
I also hit the jack pot at the end of the evening those high price hookers seize the opportunities when they saw all my friends were leaving, they swamp me with all their wits before I even have a chance to put down my drinks. But don’t worry, I only have 50 rmb in my pocket and the taxi will take up 14 rmb, unless they wanted to work for free. I am not a big spender even with the suspender and bow tie. I don’t even know how they got into the bar. But never mind that.
On the weekend, I went out for drink of course in some shaky and hairy places and met three other Americans, they were all English teachers here, therefore they did not required having language skill. That makes it hard some times to get around. One of them is really home sick, it was sad, because his school is a littler further out from the Central Shanghai. Therefore he was denied opportunities for a lot of the expat functions usually happen during the week. I felt bad for him unfortunately that is the reality for a lot of them. I only encourage his friends to keep in touch with him more often. I will also try to help them a little.
The reason I mention them is that I was glad that these kids being much younger than I am, their understanding of the Chinese society is in tune with my conclusion that Chinese students are so afraid to step out of line on their thinking. At times it is frustrating for teachers like them and mentor like myself to pour our heart out to guide them.
My assistance reminded me again today that there are too many people in China, with one less one does not hurt any. When I advice him to watch out on what he ate, and the others to smoke less, but that is their attitude, that was sad.
How are they ever going to learn that all lives are precious not just American lives? Sorry I am not spreading many cheers here this week am I?
While all of you are prepare for the celebration of Christmas. I am looking forward for having friends visiting from HK, as well as NY. However from what I saw in the email, the kind of boa that my NY friend is looking for; with a straw on the top is kind of alien for me, I hope I can find out if that is for real. Just like when my team took me for a BBQ, they actually feeding me beef tongue rather than beef. Too late, I already ate it. I really need to watch my team. They took me out for a wild day in the city. As an excuse of Team Building, so the Boss (ME) can write it off. After lunch we went to K-go-car race. Have you ever in one of those cars that goes around the track burning gasoline, no helmet, and no breaks. Well believe me. Remember I told you earlier life worth nothing in China.
Afterward we went into the park trying to learn how to fly a kite that never got off the ground, these kids of mine just running around like bunch of mad man and girls. They try to play catch ball that the suction cups does not stick to the paddle and fleesbie that weight a ton, I am running for my life to avoid that thing landing on my head.
Then we try those crashing car things, that ran by electric, with sparks came out from the ceiling, I do not even have a name for it.
Then I was drag to the Karaoke bar. Let’s get real, I had never went to one with my team in NY. However I have no choice, I was baby sitter for the day. Imagine me singing if that is not bad enough, it is all in Chinese that I cannot read, and music I never heard of. Get the picture? To be honest I actually enjoy being with them. They made me realize they do not need much to be very happy because they never had much to start with.
No wonder when I gave Goddiva chocolates as thank you gift, no one even know that just cost me almost my month’s salary. That is the truth, because it is import that means those Chocolates probably is about three months old, and cost three time as much as in the US. LOL. But the wrapping is still fresh.
So here it is my week 9th.
One more thing, I told you that I would tell you some thing interesting. I actually escape in one piece from some advances, while I was strapped to the seat of the plane on my way back home. One of my sister’s friends was absolutely correct. I am (me) as they call in China, a diamond bachelor, a little gray on the side, good shape, good health, no bad habits, demanding not much, single with an American passport, and decent income. Watch out, these Shanghai girls can smell you from miles away, since you are the only one-used deodorants.
Here is my encounter for the week.
Just a reminder to use the link at the end of the email to sight up for the blog, it will be reactivate again after Jan 8th 2012, that means I will stop email my encounter to all of you, but put it up on the internet to let more people have a chance to see it.

Chance Encounter Shanghai.