The incidence on bad Chinese

I am back after being exiled to the labor camp since the beginning of the New Year, 8 days workweek is just a little hard to bare, but then it is China, they made their own rule. It is not worth it when the government mandates three days off to celebrate New Year and then work 8 days afterward to make up your time off, that is no holiday at all, some how that is how that works here.

Needless to say the first change I got I party my heart out until 2AM then finish the labor camp with the last of a 12 hours workday. When the weekend finally arrived, I crashed that is another insight into the life of living in Dreamland.

I have been in Shanghai over a year now, My Chinese is getting better, I can do basic communication with my language skill, or at least that is what I thought. I know a lot of hidden places in this city because I love to browse around the old streets when I have the free time. There is really no other ways but to explore by walking.

I can even give out direction to the locals that some time it is better just to stay on the metro to get to the destination instead of the train, bus and walk route they been doing it. That does not mean I do not get lost here. As a matter of fact that is a standing bet if I will get to some place on time without end up in the different party of town, or on a different floor of the meeting point agree upon. That is entire differ story that the one I am going to tell you about here.

I mention that I think my Chinese is getting better correct? Well over the Christmas holidays. I was traveling with family via the train to Suzhou, a city about half an hour away from Shanghai. The local train came out from a smaller local station instead of the new modern station. I did not know that being a foreigner, I couldn’t purchase ticket in the same building as the local. First that is because we do not have a Chinese ID   to use the machine. Secondly we are require to show a physical Passport before ticket will be issue. Third ticket for foreigners were not even sold in the same building as if we were diseased, had to be quarantined to another building.

So I went to purchased ticket as I as told, all went tell, no words were exchange, just money and gesture, and that is where my problem started. After I finally figure out what all the Chinese on the ticket meant, I realize I have less than 15 minutes to make the world record dash to cross the street, thru the tunnel, cross the plaza, up the escalator plus get thru the security check point in order to make the gate before it closes. If you have ever watch the amazing race that it was it was like, except I am traveling with senior member of my family with luggage’s that made it even harder.

The best had yet to follow, to be on the safe side, I decided to ask for direction before I get lost and miss the train. My family I am traveling with was foreigners, and I am obviously Asian, that was just the start. I was being polite; since most of the guards in Chinese train station do not speak English. I ask the Guard in Chinese to point me to the boarding gate and waiting room. Instead of answer my request, he turn to my family, and response to them in English to let them know that being a tour guide my Chinese is that worst he ever heard. How insulting, and My family was laughing so hard almost lost their footing, not because of my bad Chinese, but the guard had mistaken me as their tour guide, next time I am going to carry one of those tour guide flag with me.

Not that funny to me, but then when I told

It will get better. Until the other day, I was at my familiar French bakery the story to my local friends they laugh out loud and agree. I think I should take out their name from my party invite list.

Never the less I though that was just an incident, I did not pay that much attention to it, until one day at one of the French bakery I patron frequently, while I was paying for my purchase, the manager said I knew you are Americans, but you are Chinese also, how come your Chinese I so bad.

By now, I am fed up with all of them from now on I am only going to speak only English to them, the hell with being polite trying to speak Chinese to the locals they just have to deal with me in English until they don’t know what I am talking about then I can say how come your English is so bad for being a shop keeper for expats.

The sad part is that most of the time they don’t know what we are talking about id we spoke on English to them, they knock their head as if the understood, but in fact they don’t. You wanted to buy bread you may end up buying Bugs, no exaggeration.

So, should I go back to mandarin school? No I am not, I have no time for that, I know I can get by 70% of the time, there are plenty of people understood me especially the Taxi drivers, they know where I wanted to go, I suppose all those hours spend riding the metro, learning all the name a d pronunciation of all the stops from the above head speaker pays off. I can speak (perfect) subway Chinese. That is a credit I can claim. I even know the difference in tone and in writing between a lane, a street, a road, and a district. Of course after many late night Taxi ride end up in dark street I had never saw before I learn to pronounce everything correctly, at 80% correct at 70% of the time.

As you can see it is a lot of fun living aboard speaking the language alone is a challenge. Just try to point at the picture on the menu instead, it is perfectly acceptable. Pretend to be smart-ass doe not pay off there. You may end up with something entire different that you think they were. The other night at the restaurant, one of my friend wanted to be in charge, he thought he ordered meat from the picture that he recognize the word pork instead he got the fat and the skin but not the lean meat. I was in no mood to be merciful that night, I made me ate all the fat pieces in the pot.

I am kind of evil these day don’t you think?

Chance Encounter Shanghai.

A year at a glance

Ho, ho, ho, cough, cough. That is the Chinese greeting of Christmas, from smoking too much choking while trying to be jolly. Never mind, very bad joke. Can’t blame me, I am not thinking straight. My shoulder been hurting for weeks because of work pressure and stress, I throw my back out last night for no apparently reasons. Merry X’mas.

Shanghai, is beautiful this time of the year, it is foggy, you can’t see anything beyond hand stretch, cold and wet, but tress on Nanjing road were all decorated with multi color blinking lights and stores all had a plastic trees (real tree is not allow) and Merry Christmas. It is honestly beautiful.

The other famous shopping area Xintiandi is shinning bright with lights that can blind your eye as soon as you turn the corner from the dark street of the neighborhood. Shoppers is everywhere rushing from one store to the other, what is missing is the charity events to collect donations for the less fortunate. But then China does not want the world to know that have that problem as well. All is well on the surface.

Really, I am in a great mood, and why not. I finished the most high profile pitch for business of my entire career; I am finally feeling like I belong to the club usually had their door closed shut. Although the door is open now, I am still waiting for the red carpet to roll out.

My other important exciting event happening is my American parent after a year of planning is about to arrive in Shanghai to share Christmas with me. We are going to have a great reunion on this part of the world.

There are many adventure and memorable event thru out this busy year. To name a few: like the visit of my sister from US with her entire family, they bough us rain almost everyday. My old friends visiting from Chicago, Philly, Iowa and New York City, all with their own adventure stories to tell. My Colleagues from New York City were so frighten of the Shanghai traffic, she cream every time she crossed the street. While my other colleague had an early Thanksgiving treat by my international friends here in Shanghai, plus an 8 hours non-stop walking tour, paid tourist price for Chinese tea, in the end he was being treated to a rewarding hot pot dinner and a relaxing foot massage he will not soon forget. Does it worthy it? Sure it does.

My friends from Philly enjoyed fitted with custom tailored wardrobe, massive bargain hunting at the low price knock off mall, in contract, we also had expensive outdoor cocktail at one of the most exclusive club in Shanghai with a view of the Huangpu river high up in the sky, then end the day with French Oyster and Champaign, and cabaret at the Wardrof Astoria, historical long bar. That is why they were a little hasted to leave this city.

My long waited trip to cruise the Yangtze River, otherwise know as (Long river) was a little disappointing since we were accompanied by thick foggy almost the entire trip. Missed the green color of the valley and blue sky, but added much more mystic to the stunning scenery, a perfect setting for a mystery novel “Perhaps the title can be “the disappearance on the President river cruise line” The climb on the yellow mountain one of the 5 most famous peaks in China is worth every soar legs and ankles, of course I did not do it, I too the cable care up the mountain instead.

I had two back to back trip to Italy in April, one for business and the other one to attend my good friend’s Italian wedding, which is a daylong celebration into the night, start at 9 in the morning for church service than head to the country house for a real movie setting Italian country wedding. Food everywhere, free flow of Champaign and wine I was in heaven for the day. The head to my most beloved city of Florence for 10 days holiday and in the Tuscany country with the love of my life make this life well worth living, except no proposal, a too old and too late for that game now.

I went into reality check in Oct while taking a trip to the near by city of Hangzhou. During the ten days National holiday thought I would go to the near by city famous for her silk, dragon well tea and the tranquility of the famous West lake for some R&R. Instead I encounter, pollution, dust from constructions, traffic and human jam. I got lost in the forest around the lake, and the moon is already high up in the night sky, but I hear real owl for the first time in my life. Thanks God I did made my way home and had a foot massage in the hotel, while the madam tried to pawn her worker’s service on me.

When there is a holiday in China, forget about traveling in the country. You will not be able to get to anywhere nor able to get out of the country without paying triple on any fare, if you can even get a ticket to go anywhere.

While I am a little close to home, Hong Kong, I been visiting there a lot more than usual. Although Hong Kong is a beautiful city, but I have no friends there, my visit including food and more food. 4 times a day of duck stuffing style, (or turkey), then sleep the night away. It may be heaven for some of you, not my cup of tea. These are just an overview of some of the more major events through out this year. Since I am also in the international party circuit, I had about 4 parties a week and endless trip to restaurants and get together with friends.

However life here is very real, not just parties, if you want an expat life, you need to learn how to live a balance life style. I never expect this assignment will turn into a life of adventure. I thought I came here work hard for a year or two then go. Instead I found myself entering the most exciting chapter of my life both in professionally and personally, made many valuable international friendship along the way as well.

At the end of 2012, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New year. No matter where you are. Enjoy your life. Found peace within yourself and happiness will follow. Hope your adventure is as fun fill as mine.

Love always from fare away corner of the world in a city call Shanghai, stars shin bright above, although bright light of the city drowned out most of her twinkles until 11PM at night, when the light of the city being force to turn off, then once again heaven belongs to the little stars.

 Be strong. Shrine on. 2013 belongs to you.

Never Ending Surprises in Shanghai

Dec 2012

Well it is official I have been here for over year now. I feel like I experienced a lot of new things, and most of my friends that came here think that I am fitting in better, and laugh loud about me behind my back. Never let the obvious fool you, there are so many hidden customs I know nothing about.

Just the other way, I went to dinner with a friend who is here learning Chinese from Switzerland, the university he went to is actually a little out of the beaten path, although the distance is approximately the same as on the subway from midtown Manhattan to flushing. However here in Shanghai our metro is rather fast, therefore taking a 45minutes metro ride is a long ride and eternality for some.

I got there in decent time consider it is raining, it will take me twice as long to travel the same distance if I travel by Taxi. My friend was excited to see me, he wanted to show me his school, the massive driving range converted from a 1920 soccer stadium, walk a little of his neighborhood before we head to a the infamous soup restaurant that was famous for their soups that were cook in a clay pot inside another giant jar with hot water over fire. The best I can describe is was that we are having steam soup that took 10 hours to cook. Was that supposed to be good? I can’t tell you.

We arrive at 8:30, they told us the restaurant is closing and there is no soup and we were the only table. We left disappointed and in disbelieve. In this mega modern city like Shanghai on a week nigh, restaurant close at 8:30? Normally I am still at work.

We decided to try our luck in another mega restaurant located inside a hotel complex, when we arrive they told us the kitchen was closed, but we pleaded, and they finally told us that, the stove is still on, they will serve us whatever they can come up with. (Left over I suppose), But there will be no rice for our meal, and most dishes on the menu were not available. What is that? Do I have to pay too? It was raining outside I am tire, and I am hungry, so whatever I can get is fine for now.

I am lucky, I live in the center of the city, where a lot of the foreigner lives, our restaurants there open till 11PM, 9PM closing time is unheard of. It is news to me.

Another surprise happened that night as well. When dinner was done, yes, bill paid, they make us. It was almost 10:30 then, time to go home. As I approach the metro station, it seems a little dark to me. My friend told me, that I might have missed the last train, I said “ What” It is 10:3 0, how could it be? That was the truth. Some line close at 10:30, and the other stop running by 11PM completely. I was in shock. That was another “ NEW” experience to me.

That is not all, the soup restaurant I told you earlier, I went back to the same restaurant at a different location in the center of the city on a Friday evening at 7PM, I thought I could be in better luck this time, since this location is in the center of a popular shopping district and it is 7PM on a Friday evening. I got a table no problem, the restaurant is not that pack, but busy. I feel lucky I know I will get to try their famous soup this time. Yum, Yum. How wrong was I. When we finally decided and ready to order, the same thing happened again. Item by items, pot of soup by pot of soups, they told us it was sold out. How could it be? It is 7PM. What time these people eat dinner?

As you know, I am pretending to be a local Chinese, although I utter a single word, they knew I am a fake. I started telling them a half make up story about 3 times in the same week to patronize their restaurant, (exaggerated a little here). I travel all over the city; the same thing happened everywhere, every time, ran out of soup. I told them I am writing for a foodie magazine, it is definitely going to be a bad review for them. I also told them I would have left just like the last couple of times before, but I am too tire to move, just bring me whatever, I will not come back ever. Well, I was getting notice, people are watching, so I was encouraged and starting started the hand waving routine like all the Chinese do. The next thing I knew the manager came over with three coupons, each worth 100rmb as peace offering, told me I could use it on the same night. He also gave me a private number and told me to call next time whenever I wanted to come in to make special reservation, they will save a pot of soup for me. Otherwise it is the policy that no reservation is taken. “Well” I said, “In that case, bring me and my friend a beer and also bring that expensive cold dish as well”. All is settled then, I thought, until…

Let’s just stop here OK; otherwise I need another whole blog just to talk about them. Perhaps I should invite you there on your next visits.

Chance Encounter Shanghai

US Presential election in Shanghai

What been keep me from writing blogs for the last couple of weeks prior to November 2nd was some events affected me profoundly. Here is the story:

Before the election, the subject on who will become the next president of the United States was so hotly debated. Not on the news but in the Bars, restaurants, and homes here in expat community of Shanghai, half the world away from the US soil, it feels strange, especially when they are not even Americans.

I was in a restaurant one-night having dinner and talking politic with a Canadian friend happen to be away from his homeland for almost 10 years, took on active interests in politics other than his own countries. While our conversation became very interesting, and the voice were raised after I broke my own rule of never talk politics with alcohol.  A lady shown up at the table and handed me her calling card. Being gentlemen I stood up and accept the card. She explains that she and her friend had been ear dropping on our conversation all night, and found it very interesting; a moment later she invited herself and her friend to sit down on our table while we are still eating dinner. Imagine that happening in the US. When inquired of her profession, she proudly announced that she is a lady of the night. Silent…

The other time a friend from Switzerland accuse the political system of my country is not a democracy because we, in reality, only have two major political parties, and no one else can get in to run for president because they were blocked. I told him to check his facts again. Anyone that were born citizen of the United states can run for the high office, granted if they can generate enough interests, and votes to get them qualify to be on the ballot. If there were not enough votes, rules will not bent because we wish another party could enter the race. That was another wild night in a Japanese restaurant over sake.

It seems to me because of my passion for politic, to my friends I am a challenge, they love to get me involve in conversations on politics. Unfortunately I lost some of my passion due to lack of facts and information. I am not up to date with information to defense any argument.

It gets more interesting, not only the gangs north of our border gang up on me for over a month, the Chinese nationals as well. I am not sure if these girls actually knew what they are talking about, or if they been studying the issue and platform. Perhaps they just love to be cheerleaders. I really do not wanted to know.

My chat box on my mobile was full every day from morning till night even if I ignored them it was non stop. I finally had to turn it off. It started to look like pure harassment. It keeps blinking all hours of the day and the night. The worst was on Election Day and after. My email message was all over loaded.

I save it all as evidence just in case I need to verify the facts on this blog. No exaggerations.

I do not see that kind of passion in American bars, the American seems don’t care. The French don’t care either. And the Brits and the Australian and so forth no one really cares, but the Canadian and the Chinese, they went crazy with it. Why. Please help me to understand, their life is too boring here?

First, the Canadian get no votes on who will be our next presidents. So why they care so much, especially those had no plan to return home ever. Their argument is that because US get involve with every one else’s business so they are concern. Hello, “You are in China.” What does that matter what happen to your home that you have not plans to return to? What do you think?

Secondly. If any policy of the US affected China, they are not residence here, nothing is going to happen to them anyway, unlike most of us Americans, we would be pack on the governments expense, escort to the airport in a flash. That is why it is smart to register with the embassy while living aboard. You do not want to be left behind sweeping the sidewalk if your name is not on the evacuation list.

On the other hand, the Chinese Nationals, why is it matter who became the president of the United States? It does not concern any of them anyway. They can even vote on their own premier?

Enough said. I am back, if I get though the blockage.

Chance Encounter Shanghai

I survived My first National Holiday trip

I survived my first National Holiday like the (July 4^th) plus the mid Autumn Moon festival. However the experience will not be forgotten soon. Once again my experience surpass my expectation, the thrill and the scare, some of it, I should have save it for the Halloween blog.

For starter, I survived my first Chinese hot pot experience, it is an obsession here, people gathering around a pot of hot cooking flavored soup and cook your own food in the boiling soup. It is kind of fun if you had never cook in the kitchen before and wanted to cook your own food rather than being served. You know what I rather choose.

Secondly, I climb the Lupu Bridge that span the Huangpu River that snake thru the heart of Shanghai divided her into two half like many great cities in the world. 360 steps later, I was standing on the platform on top of the second longest arch bridge in the world. For those who are not able to make this climb, I am sorry there is no other way to get up there. But you have my photos instead. The only regret was that they do not open at night. Otherwise it would be awesome.

Third, a trip to Hangzhou, the famous ancient city about three hours from Shanghai with it center piece the West Lake. For century the lake attracted artists and Poets alike for her beauty and the charm of the surrounding hillside. I thought it could be a nice treat to relax in the hillside surrounding the lake, and view the beauty of the slivery moon light reflection on the lake. Unfortunately Romanizing the tranquilly images did not last long.

The huge crowd inside the train station actually forms hazy smog inside if it is going to rain, the noise was unbearable, I got my ticket at lighten speed of 20 minutes consider the long line. 45 minutes later on the high-speed train, I am approaching the City of Hangzhou.

My first impression of the city was: Wow, I really arrived in a real Chinese city. Not much high rises and not much cosmetic. Just street full of people.

Due to the recent economic slow down in China, the government had unveiled massive public project in second tear cities by improving their infrastructure. Hangzhou is getting her new metro system. The whole city is like a war zone, there were dust everywhere, and you can hardly even saw the sky. My god, why am I trading the cool temperature and blue sky for the air polluted dust fill city. My Taxi can’t even get into the driveway of the hotel.

After I settled in, I ask for direction to the lake, then my exodus began, it was like in the Pamplona Bull Run, just follow with the crowd. If everyone crosses the street you did so as well. The road was all dig up and full of mud and dirt, every passing vehicle kick-up more dust. People were pushing. That was not fun it was madness.

Until the first of the glimpse of the West Lake behind the willow tress all my trouble was forgotten. It was magical. The ancient cause way, the rental boats, the willow trees, just like I saw in the Chinese ink paintings, minus the people of course. In the historical photographs, there was only hand full of people on the causeway connected by long arched stone bridges. However what I saw instead was a mountain of ants like people pile on top of the historical bridges. Moving about in both directions.

Moving along the willow trees lined lakeshore, I can’t help to fall into deep thought on how it must had been so beautiful, until I woke by the noise of vehicles and thousands of orange colored ugly rental bikes with riders maneuvering their bikes on the narrow sidewalk. Ran over any one at their will, because were not qualify riders. There is no room for biking here, just get off of it people. No I did not, I minded my manners.

The sun starting to set, I thought perhaps it was time to Taxi to the hotel for a foot message before head out for an evening cocktail on the lake to watch the Sunset over the hazy horizons. What a perfect ending to an adventures filled day.

Life is never perfect, no matter how careful we often thought we had it all planned. I discovered that, I was off the tourist map. A wrong turn while taking my walk hugging the lakeshore in fact put me deep in the inlets. I was desperately seeking a way out before the mountain lion appear under the moonlight and target me as their USDA graded steak dinner.

Many friendly and helpful locals gave me the “round about” directions; Perhaps my limited Chinese skill is not getting me any where, but I have a map baby and I know how to point isn’t that enough?

I finally ran into a couple international tourists they were exploring with their GPS, I had my as well, except I do not know the name of the cross road I entered the lake earlier. Well, I tag along for a little while and exchange travel stories as if we were long lost buddies, until we came to a cross road and they told me that they were going to get in their car to drove down the hill, they point out that all I need to do is to follow the road down.

Come on, shouldn’t they offer me a ride? Well that was no Hollywood or Bollywood endings. I walked alone in the dark.

Eventually I was back on the shoreline after an 8 hours hike, I was exhausted I hailed a taxi, forget about foot message. I need a beer now. After I told him the location, he told me to get out of the taxi, it is just around the corner. After the dust was settled I was left on the sidewalk watch the taxi slip away into the neon filled street.

The beer and meal in this little place was fantastic, I was recharged. Again follow the lakeshore. I was rewarded by a special water show that last for half an hour. By the time I got back to the hotel, I can resist to have a foot and full body message. That night. I slept like a baby.

Hangzhou day 2

I got up early for a head start. The hotel concierge advise me that the best I can do is to take the taxi from the hotel to the most remote temple first then try my luck to go to the second location.

At 7 in the morning, while the rest of the cities were asleep, the road to the temple already experiencing dead lock jams. My taxi trip comes to a full stop that lasted half an hour. My driver took me on a wild ride thru the tunnel, 20 minutes later we arrive at the famous Lingyin temple.

The lines to the ticket office were all long and there were stampede going on at the front. No one care about rule, just try to get to the front. I elbow myself to the window like all others, but I stand tall, and keep cursing them in English. Chinese think that is entertainment, seeing foreigners loosing their cool.

Pilgrimage was never easy my 1^st ticket only got me thru the temple garden. I should have learned by now that “efficiency” is not a Chinese word. I realized that there was another line I had to conquer in order to enter the sacred grounds. This time the line is rather civilize, because a lot of the other locals were not willing to pay for a second ticket to enter the scared ground unless they were true devotees, and wanted to burn incense in the temple while burning a hole in the pocket at the same time. I am saying that is because you cannot bring incenses to the temple, you have to buy them there. How clever.  : )

Lingyin Temple is one of the most significant and beautiful Buddhist monasteries in China. "Ling-yin" means "Soul's Retreat" in Chinese; therefore, the temple's name is commonly literally translated as Temple of the Soul's Retreat.

The entrance to the monastery is lined with hundreds of rock grottos that contain detailed religious rock carvings. The Temple contains an important collection of Buddhist literature together with many other treasures. As a consequence, it is a great storehouse of information for those who wish to study aspects of Chinese Buddhism in detail.

On my way out I was fortunately to find Taxi outside the temple ground. I headed to the Leifend Pagoda

The Leifeng Pagoda was an octagonal, five-story structure built of brick and wood and with a base built out of bricks in 975 AD. During the Ming dynasty, Japanese pirates attacked Hangzhou. Suspecting the pagoda contained weapons; they burned its wooden elements, leaving only the brick skeleton. Later, due to a superstition the bricks from the tower could repel illness or prevent miscarriage, many people stole bricks from the tower to grind into powder. On the afternoon of September 25, 1924, the pagoda finally collapsed due to disrepair, and was finally rebuilt in 2011.
Once again I climbed the 7 stories to the top to take in the vista of the entire west lake. What a sight that was. After an hour of struggle to get a taxi I gave up the idea of lunch on the lake and headed straight to the train station. I had enough of humanities. I need to get back to civilization.
Hangzhou station is a far cry from the Shanghai station. The ticket office is on a separate building with 30 ticket windows, yet the hall was fill to the max; there must be at least 2000 souls inside a place with no air-conditioned. Again, I fight, and elbowed my way to the front, the Chinese have no concept of lines. While the younger generations were a little more polite, the other folks from the countryside or smaller cities would cut in front of you with no apologize needed.
Something I learn for me extended stay in China. I learn that these are the people so resilience, they can accept anything as they come while we foreigner think unacceptable, it is just the norm for them. The other fact is that Money not always works here wither, we can flex our dollar as much as we can, there are thousands of them can afford a lot more that we ever could. A single low-key night out can cost an upward of thousands in USD. And dinner is not included.
Everyday in this foreign land give me a new angle in live, I would otherwise able to experience back home.
Chance Encounter Hangzhou

Are you ready for some fun

Hell“O” all again.

This week, you will read about stories of my experience on bargain hunting.

Everyone come to China thinking they can get huge bargain here, sorry, there is no such term existed, if you are looking for the real mc coy. Any brand name item you may be interested in will cost three times more than you get it from back home. I meant all “Foreign Brand” with made in China label is included.

That does not make sense isn’t it? Isn’t all these items made here should be cheaper? Wrong, that is because there are extra sales taxes imposed on all foreign brands by the government. My word of advice is to buy it in Hong Kong if you want a real bargain discount.

However, if you are interested in something short term, and looks good for once or twice while you wear it, let starts with a trip to the Fabric Market. The famous “Shanghaies tailor made label” will be found missing here. Instead you will only found faceless workers from above the store making your measure to fit orders.

In this experience I found that I could bring any clipping from any magazine the tailors will say no problem they can make it fro you. They all told you that they intern in Italy, and know European cutting by hard. That is exactly what happened to my friend and myself.

These tailors will custom made the fake Italian stitching on the suit, and also added on all the details that you ask for, plus the selection of the highest end materials are all available.

The suite will be fitted in three days, or a week, depends on the time that you have. They can even make it the same day if it is required. While all went well and I get my friend a great price for a custom suit approximately $150 USD, and shirt at $20. You feel like they are really making it work for you.  Don’t be fool. My friend wore his suit for one time and the lining stared to tear, that is a very classic case of workmanship. Unfortunately they do not know we are locals. We came back and demand our suit be fixed they were stunned. Never the less, it is still a bargain.

That is lessoning number one, when you pay a penny for the goods you get a penny worth of merchandise. Don’t expect more than that.

Lesson two: you may just want something that is not custom made, what about Sunglasses, shoes, bags or custom jewelry? For starter, they are all made in China, (same goes to your items back home), the difference is at home, your merchandise is at a better quality, and same size knock off shoes can feel different from the left foot to the right. There is no quality control.

You may even try to fool yourself by thinking if you pay a little higher asking price you will get better quality (let say Sunglasses) it will break in three days for no apparent reasons guaranteed.

Lesson three: Never pay more than 1/3 of the asking price to start, be strong, hold your ground, and be prepared to walk away at any time if the seller do not want to meet your demand. There were more stores with the same merchandise in the same market.

If they do not chasing after you for the minimum price you offer that can means only two things. 1. They made their quota of sale that day, or 2. Your price is below what they can make a profit. Don’t act disappointed. They can sense you are a (sucker from miles away, especially Americans).

Lesson four. Always go to the top of the mall and walk down. The shop at the top of the discount mall get little exposure than the one close to the entrance, they are more eager to make a deal. Does that make sense?

I should be a psychology major instead of Advertising.

Never mind that, it is a little too late to make career change.

Let’s move on. Bargaining is not an art form it is a game.

The next story is also a true story.

First rule, before you enter the mall, you should take about 300RMB about 50 USD and separate it from your pile of monopoly money (The RMB).  

Second Rule, make sure you go bargain with a friend, never alone, unless you are a cold hearted pro like myself.

My game started with a friend she likes to purchase some T-shirts, let call her Miss A. I was not aware of it, since I was in another store looking for knock-off shoes. I heard this loud noise outside the store sounded like some argument or pleading. Turn out it was Miss A looking for me, screaming my name out loud in the middle of the mall.

She was hand locked by an 8 months pregnant store owner, trying to push these worthless T-shirt on her, while all the while she scream, “Ed help me, help me.” At the same time another giant of a friend of mine, 6’5 in height with status of an elephant, trying to pull my poor miss A loose from iron craw of the shopkeeper, I thought they are going to tear miss A in half, like in the Roman times.

Got the picture? She survived, and I got to tell her story for shoppers beware. Bargain hunting is not for the lighthearted.

Next scene, Super Ed to the rescue, I jump in, and Miss A told the shopkeeper, my husband is here, ask him. I was told the asking price I look at miss A and say “No” in front of the storekeeper. The shopkeeper turn around and faced me like a hungry tiger, I ignored her and headed to the door, Miss A to follow, but now, the shopkeeper turn around and focus her next move on me. While Miss A follow me out of the store told the shopkeeper she had no money, I control all the cash, and her husband say no, and that is no deal.

You thought that will be the end of the story, and where is the bargaining you may ask? The story did not end there.

The shopkeeper was rather insistence. She follows us down the mall, and waving the T-shirt behind us. I knew then it was time to bargain. I stop and ask her to give me her bottom line, instead she gave me the same price, and I gave her my bottom line. We went for another round. I turn to Miss A and said, “You really wanted these T-shirts”.

She said, “Yes dear please”. I pull out the money I separated on the one pocket and said. ”This is all we had tonight, either we have dinner with it, or you can have the T-shirts and no dinner tonight.” I also told her that we actually do not have enough to pay for the T-shirts.

At that time, the shopkeeper was watching the exchange unfolding step in and say, All right, I will take what you had”. In the end we all got what we wanted.

As for my other friend, he was speechless.

This game was played out three more times in the same afternoon, with a slightly different version. Are you ready for some fun? If you do, come to Shanghai, let me introduce to the art of bargaining.

Hope you enjoy this experience with me.

Chance Encounter Shanghai.

In tune with presidential elections

My topic is a little political this week.

I am not here to give a lecture on democracy, if you have not already learn it in grade school on what it meant, then god bless America. However I feel we may need a little refreshing on our lesson before I go on, so here you go:

Democracy: There are several variants of democracy exist.

One form of democracy as I know it is direct democracy, in which citizens have direct and active participation in the decision making of the government.

In most modern democracies, the whole body of citizens remains the sovereign power but political power is exercised indirectly through elected representatives; this is representative democracy in which our country practiced.

Is it not all these are democracy, as long as it is true to the core, the power rest on the people?

Does true democracy based only on how many political parties we have? Or does it matter if we have only had two major parties in our country?

So does that means United States; the best democratic power in the world really does not have a real democracy because the other smaller parties never get any real chance to be elected even if they are on the ticket?

Some people in the world think our system prevent the minor parties never have a voice, and the major parties will never allow them to enter the game. I do not have in depth understanding to decided if that is true or false, you can make your own conclusion.

As always around election time there will always be some people think we, Americans are hypocrites to think we live in a democratic society when some other voices were drowned out in the process.

Isn’t it that is democracy as well?  The power processed by the power of votes, no matter which way the wind flows is still the decision of the people? Everyone started out on the same line. If the people decided a certain party is not worth supporting that is nothing anyone else can do anything about it.

I am really surprise on one tire Friday evening after a whole week of torture in the office, thought I would be relaxing for a casual meal out in Shanghai, over a bottle of wine and gourmet Italian food; I broke my own rule of no wine and politics defending the system of my country vigorously to someone from a socialist society, accusing us we are not a true democracy. Then what is one?

Did we shut the door when someone from the green party, libertarian party or Tea party wanted to run for presidency?

They think that if we wanted to be a true democracy, we need to be more like India, anyone wanted to form a party, are welcome into the congress and government. I do not know enough of their political structure to pass any comments, but it certainly looks a mess.

On the other hand did anyone of us don’t think we have the most sound democracy on earth? Perhaps everyone think politicians were so corrupted and politic were a big joke to comment on this?

If you love our country with all it imperfection, embrace it, register and vote, that is how you show the world the voice of the little people on our great country does accounted for.

It is better than those back seat drivers, escapes to another country and divorced their own political system, but critialize others. That is a true hypocrite with a capital “H” in my book, and if they belief that true democracy is base on how many political parties the government had. I don’t think they even beginning to understand democracy is base on majority rules.

This is just my humble opinion, no intention to provoke hateful comments or national debate. Please do not jamb my phone lines it is reserved for debt collectors only.

It is one person’s opinion, and if you don’t like it start your own.

Chance Encounter Shanghai.