DMikeS4321
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Posts posted by DMikeS4321
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I just read an interesting thread about ESL certification. My question is this; is starting a private English school a viable idea? I don't have a certificate and I'm not sure if I could get one, but it seems that one could open a school and teach privately. I know a Chinese woman who made quite a bit of money teaching English privately in Shenzen. I've been thinking this could work, especially in a town like Nanning where there are (seemingly) so many women looking to learn English.
I've started a thread like this before but I can't find it. I'm interested in everyone's opinion.
Thanks in advance...
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Good points about the U.S., but I was specifically commenting on China. I don't understand the mechanism by which a strong currency is inflating. Maybe the RMB's tie to the dollar is part of the problem. I wasn't claiming the article is wrong and I certainly don't understand what is happening.
Mike salaries & wages in the US have basically been flat since 2000. Y2K did have an impact on Mom and Dad and bacon and eggs America. The cost of living has increased over 25% since then. Our economy did not feel this disparity because of Bushe's major tax cut and easy credit at low interest rates until now.
Tax cuts are, for all practical purposes, an increase in income. As for a 25% increase in cost of living, that is true. It's also true that the size of government expenditure has increased 40% during that same time period. I don't know about you, but I haven't seen any extra Wheaties on MY breakfast table. Where IS all the money going??? (I don't think it's the military. I heard just yesterday that the military, even with our current 'involvements', accounts for just 3% of GDP). I think the Medicare bump and the new prescription program are supposed to constitute the largests new 'entitlement program' in the history of the planet.
It is payback time. WTF we are going to have a tax rebate soon to help spur the economy along? That is great. Any economics student knows that tax rebates or cuts should come from a tax surplus.
'Rebates' are no solution. Taxes are ALWAYS a problem, but government spending is always the BIGGEST problem. Cutting taxes is a proven way to increase total revenues (I think that is a proven fact, going all the way back to JFK). I used to work in the marine industry (sailboats and power yachts). You can't find a more clear example of government destroying an entire industry with tax policy than the marine industry in the 1970's. When cap gains taxes were reduced, the industry reappeared, like magic.
Ours is coming from continuing to mortgage our future through the selling of Federal bonds to the world investors. Our kids and our grand kids are going to be paying for this over and over.
Very true. I think the problem is primarily government spending, though. Government spending is up, WAY up, and the American people can no longer bear the burden of all our government programs. We never seem to get back what we put in.
Borrow and spend is more than a mantra for the American consumer. It permeates government as well. This includes state governments. California went from a surplus to a 15 to 20 billion dollar deficit between August, 2007 and today!! Our roads are in worse condition than ever and our public schools are a disgrace.
The security of the US is at stake here. Can you imagine if some tinhorn dictator decides to threaten our ecomomic interests with some puny blockade. Before we could act militarily we will have to call Bear Stearns, The Bank of Japan or China because they hold the paper to our 25 billion dollar Naval battle group. We would ask these money manipulators can we use it in this crisis?
This is very true, but the Fed could simply print more money. They are already doing that anyway.
I think this is all part of 'globalization' or 'evening the playing field'. We should probably get used to it as I doubt it will change.
Best Regards
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Something else at work here. With inflation we should see property values soaring. They aren't. We should see the value of the RMB dropping in value compared to other currencies. It's not. What we are seeing is a rapid rise in consumer prices without seeing a commensurate increase in wages; once again, not pure inflation as wages are flat.
I've been reading that one of the factors in the increasing cost of food, the entire food chain, is the acreage dedicated to subsidized feed-corn being used for ethanol production. This is driving up the cost of feed corn for livestock and making it less economical to grow corn for human consumption. My wife was telling me a couple of weeks ago that corn has become outrageously expensive in Nanning. She loves it but won't buy it anymore, not until the price comes down. (As an aside, I don't imagine we'll ever see rice grown as feedstock for ethanol production!)
I took econ in school and I don't have a clue what is going on. I do know this... we should all be worried.
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Potentially 300 million unemployed.....that would be like if nobody in the US had a job...no matter how you look at it, from a US growth, world growth, or purely a internal Chinese problem...this is not good. The impact of such an occurance will be felt everwhere...
My wife, who is without a doubt the smartest business person I've ever known, has been telling me that it is becoming very difficult to "make money" in China now. One of her friends, a virtual genius commodities trader, no longer trades because of the volatility of the market. She won't even sell short because of the uncertainty.
A good part of the problem is rooted in the faltering U.S. economy. I've been saying for quiet a while now, if the U.S. economy sneezes, the Chinese economy will catch pneumonia. A couple of weeks ago Wall Street had a bad day. The Shanghai dropped 5%.
We may all be in for a rough ride. CCP sees inflation as being their big problem but will probably abandon that policy concern if unemployment really gets out of hand. That could be very bad for them but better for us, IF we can keep OUR act together. We'll see what happens here in November.
Mike,
I'd be interested to know what your wife thinks about this for the long-haul. Does she think things will ever go back to the days when it was easier to "make money" in China. Or has that bubble burst for good?
Dave,
Her feeling is that the rapid growth that used to benefit everyone has now consolidated into the larger companies. In other words, there is still room in a VERY entreprenurial economy, but the focus has changed now, something like how the auto industry consolidated in the '20's and '30's, but on an economy wide scale.
I can see what she is saying. There are more and more large chains and mega-retailers. From my perspective, China is moving along pretty much the same path that the U.S. took, but compressing our 100+ years of experience into about 25 to 30 years. It's like watching a dvd on fast forward.
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Potentially 300 million unemployed.....that would be like if nobody in the US had a job...no matter how you look at it, from a US growth, world growth, or purely a internal Chinese problem...this is not good. The impact of such an occurance will be felt everwhere...
My wife, who is without a doubt the smartest business person I've ever known, has been telling me that it is becoming very difficult to "make money" in China now. One of her friends, a virtual genius commodities trader, no longer trades because of the volatility of the market. She won't even sell short because of the uncertainty.
A good part of the problem is rooted in the faltering U.S. economy. I've been saying for quiet a while now, if the U.S. economy sneezes, the Chinese economy will catch pneumonia. A couple of weeks ago Wall Street had a bad day. The Shanghai dropped 5%.
We may all be in for a rough ride. CCP sees inflation as being their big problem but will probably abandon that policy concern if unemployment really gets out of hand. That could be very bad for them but better for us, IF we can keep OUR act together. We'll see what happens here in November.
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DMike -
Good For You !
If you are looking to sell other 'tea implements' wholesale to your storefront customers, I strongly recommend pushing the idea of 'Kung Fu Cha' .
You can push/sell the water trays and tea making sets.
I learned Kung Fu Cha back in 2001 as it was just becoming popular, and I now won't make tea any other way.
If you do decide to add this to your line, I suggest you have 'Kung Fu Cha' sessions at your retailers, as some 'advertised store event' .
More about KFC here -
http://chineseteas101.com/kungfu.htm
I do see you have Gong Fu in your tea set catalog (Same Thing as KFC) - but you've no entries in the catalog. I note yer using OSCommerce for your catalog system - Good On Ya ! I like it a lot - but hey - you gots a source on the Tea Sets, of any kind ?
Hey Darnell,
Thanks for the input. I go to the tea market in Guangzhou, although it's been far too long since I've been back. The variety of available tea and teaware is mindboggling. We usually source some tea and teaware from that market, but my wife does most of the buying in Nanning. It's easier for her (she lives there) and she has found the pricing to be better. We have a parther who is completely "vertically integrated"; from farm to factory to shipping to teahouse... we have complete control over all aspects of the product and processing. We also have very strong ties to a Pu'er plantation/factory in Simao, Yunnan. They've just won a couple of Certificate's of Merit for their sheng Pu'er. I have several bing cha that have gone up 900 to 1000% in just the last 6 months. Darn it!!! If I had more money, I could purchase more!
Anyway, I'm hoping to get back to China soon, at which time we'll be adding some gong fu sets to our (very limited) line of teaware. I actually have several styles of gai wan now, but I'm having trouble getting quality digital photos for the website. I just can't seem to do it right by myself, but pros want a small fortune.
Thanks again for your kind words. I hope this develops to the point where it can be my retirement, but... even if not, it's fun and gives me a direct link with China.
Best Regards
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First time I tried it(pu er) I was running for the bathroom 4 hours later. The second time, I tried it just to see if it was the tea that made me run to the bathroom the first time (yes it was) from what I gathered since this occurrence was the need to wash it 2-3 times prior to drinking, hmmmmmmm maybe that was the problem I tried it again about 6 months ago(washed it this time) still was not happy with taste but did not need to go to bathroom.
10 second wash in boiling water is highly recommended, as with all wulongs and reds. Don't do that with whites or greens, though... you'll ruin the tea.
What is the proper way to prepare the tea for us that are pure novice at it?
Thanks! I'll contact you off list, Corbin.
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Ping has had me drinking so much tea while I have been in Guangzhou that my eyes are green. I usually sleep through the night, but here I have been getting up about every two hours at night. Even when she is not pushing tea on me, she is pushing hot water that has been poured over a mixture of dried flowers. I wish I had my blood pressure monitor here to see what effect this has had on me.
Mike, when Ping gets to Houston, we will need to stock up on tea. She is the one who introduced me to Pu'er tea, for the very reason you mentioned. We will contact you for a fresh supply.
Thanks, Top! I'll take good care of you. I'm sure Ping will make sure of that!
Best Regards,
Mike
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There is a place in San Fran China town I buy it from they also have an online site(redblossomtea.com) as well as a storefront.
I know the place!! I've been there several times. Do you live in the Bay Area?
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First time I tried it(pu er) I was running for the bathroom 4 hours later. The second time, I tried it just to see if it was the tea that made me run to the bathroom the first time (yes it was) from what I gathered since this occurrence was the need to wash it 2-3 times prior to drinking, hmmmmmmm maybe that was the problem I tried it again about 6 months ago(washed it this time) still was not happy with taste but did not need to go to bathroom.
10 second wash in boiling water is highly recommended, as with all wulongs and reds. Don't do that with whites or greens, though... you'll ruin the tea.
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I got a Pu er disk like in the pic on your blog my lao po's parents gave it to us last year it came in a wooded box looks very nice from 2003 or 2005 not sure, however I have tasted pu er and was never impressed with the flavor. My favorite was tai guan yi (sp) and a new one I was given a few weeks ago don't know the name.
I just started drinking a high-mountain grown variety of tie guan yin, the national drink of Southern China. That's all my wife had ever tasted before she met me!
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Lao po has been on a Pu'er tea kick lately from her premium green tea.
As I've posted before, I drink about a liter per day and my blood pressure has dropped for the first time in my adult life. It's GOOD!
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I don't know where to put this, so I'll just put it here based on the tie-in to China.
As some of you know, my wife and I have started a tea import business. (No, I'm not really soliciting business here, but I DO offer a 20% discount to CFL members!). I'm looking for opinions/comments on our website and products.
My wife handles everything on the China end while I do the marketing/selling here in the States. I've signed up one wholesale account, a coffee shop in the small town where I live, and I've actually heard through 3rd parties how good the tea is at XXXXX Coffee Shop! Very gratifying, but I don't think I'll do any more wholesale; it is expensive and time consuming, and most businesses require more handholding than retail customers.
I've received almost uinversal high praise for our tea. The only negative 'review' came from an elderly English woman likes 'black tea' with lots of cream and sugar. I think the white, green and wulong teas I have are too subtle for her thoroughly scoured palate. Her favorite variety is 'gunpowder' tea (Bai Hao Xiang Zhu), NOT my favorite by any stretch (I don't even like my own stuff, although I consider it to be far better than the other's I've tried).
Anyway, this has been an incredibly fun experience and we are actually making a few bucks. Lao Po and her friends initially thought I was feng kuang (crazy) for thinking Americans would like Chinese tea (at least they didn't say I was bai chi [moron
]), but so far I think it's working well.I started a blog today about my specific experiences with Pu'er tea. You can see it at:
http://www.puerinvestments.blogspot.com
The main website address (still not quite complete) is:
http://www.newchinateahouse.com
I hope you find all this to be interesting. I am always willing to discuss ANY business ideas with anyone, so PM me if you would like to chat. We have a couple of other things going, one of which involves another import to the U.S., the other being a product I am going to export to China or have manufactured there for use in the Middle Kingdom.
All comments/suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
Best Regards
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When making a decision, Chinese women can ¡®throw a mental switch¡¯ to block emotions. Seldom are their decisions emotionally based, but are simply based on practicality. Stoic comes to mind: free from passion, unmoved by joy or grief, and submission without complaint to unavoidable necessity.
I have seen them give their child to relatives in China to raise, in the belief that those early years among Chinese are more beneficial for the child. I cannot fathom an American woman consider such a thing. There is no judgment here. I admire and am in awe of women strong enough to do what they believe is best for their child and who will place the child¡¯s best interest over any personal emotional feelings they may have.
I have seen again and again Chinese couples living and working apart, in separate cities, to only visit each other every other month or so. Again, I have seldom seen this is western culture. If it is more practical to work in another city for the long-term benefit of the family, then there is no emotional equation to it. It is simply what is best and the way it shall be. Life goes on without complaint.
I have often seen Chinese women simply turn and walk away from a cushy home with just a suitcase in hand, because they will not tolerate living with an angry man. Try to control a Chinese woman through anger, shouts and pouts and she will drop you like a bad transmission. Once they¡¯ve thrown the switch to leave, there¡¯s little that can be done to draw them back. Stubborn or just strong willed? Maybe both, more likely it is simply a practical decision. The promise was unfulfilled so it is time to move on. They will never sit stagnant, but will constantly seek to move forward in a constant endeavor for a secure life.
Give them love and security without condition and Chinese women are the most loyal and devoted women on the face of the earth. There is no grey area with them. Their switch is either on or off. And, we control the switch. The key here is ACTION. By our actions, they will be loyal, loving wives or they can become cold and detached in a heartbeat.
Dennis, another really fine post.
I have a sister-in-law who is married to a policeman who lives and works in another city several hundred miles from where she lives (Nanning). He sees his wife and daughter on average about once each year for maybe a week at a time. I couldn't have imagined that degree of loyalty and dedication before, on EITHER side, but my wife and I have been living that same life. Even with the separation, there is no doubt between us. It's just how she is and I am flattered that she trusts me as well. I've told her that I can't even think about being with another woman, and I also can't imagine trusting another woman to this degree. This is all because of her, really.
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WesternUnion is a very poor choice. You cannot take the money out here in US$ and the conversion rate is worse than what you'd get at a BoA / CCB ATM.
I beg to differ. Western Union is the easiest and most reliable way to wire money in a hurry.
Maximum wire within any 30 day period is $2999, and this costs $26, a little less than 1%. If the maximum payout via ATM is $300 (what I've experienced), you are looking at 10 days, just to get the $3000.
Current Western Union conversion as I write is 7.14 to 1.0. It is 7.195 to 1.0 on my 'always on' currency monitor. This amounts to another $22.93, but... if you specify payout in American dollars, there is NO exchange rate; the currency is paid out exactly as sent. My wife has received and sent American $$ via Western Union, no problem. Just make sure you specify payout in $$.
You may be able to trim pennies from this cost, but I can't imagine an easier way to handle this issue.
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I will need to give Leiqin $5000 cash to carry with her to China. $3000 for her purchase her Chinese pension. $2000 for 2 month's expenses.
I went to our B of A to see if they had some arrangements where I could deposit the money and Leiqin could withdrawal it through an ATM in China, but the BofA girl (Chinese) said that there would be special fees that would be charged to do it.
I think it's too late to get a special ATM anyway when she'll be leaving ~March 1st.
Instead of carrying that amount of cash on her person, what are the alternatives.
I'm sure that the answer(s) is obvious...
I'd send it to your wife c/o a Western Union. She could pick it up when she arrives. If she no longer has China ID, send it to a trusted family member. It's cheap and reliable.
I would have a couple of male family members escort her to China Post to pick it up. Might be a good idea to send it in a couple of different wires; wouldn't draw quite as much attention.
Best Regards
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Dennis, I can't offer specifics but perhaps this may confirm that you are not on a goose chase. Jie has made mention of this too in a very non-specific manner. She has said in passing that she should 'pay the government' so that she could one day have a government pension.
Sounds good, like what Social Security SHOULD be, vested and invested in the name of the beneficiary.
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We waited almost the full 90 days without word from CIS to learn if Leiqin's GC is coming or if she needs another biometrics. So, I phoned. Either we were lucky to get someone who seemed to genuinely like helping people or there's a marked improvement in attitude after the person has received their approval. Anyway, she was very helpful. She said that she would go ahead and order the GC. So, how soon will she get it? ~45 days. But, my wife wants to return to China now, what can she do? We have an INFOPASS appointment on Thursday where the officer is to add a note in her Chinese passport (I believe that's what she said) that will be Temporary Evidence of her approval that will allow her to travel in advance of receiving her GC.
OK, she doesn't have it yet and we haven't book the flights, but both of us can just taste it, we're so close...
6 years and 8 months after Leiqin¡¯s arrival in the US she will finally travel home for a two-month visit. You have no idea how excited her and her family are...their little sister is finally returning home...
I will join her for the last two weeks of her visit and we will return home together.
Now, I have a question for CFL members...
Leiqin's elder sister tells her that if Leiqin pays the China Gov't $3,000 USD she will have an annual pension.
I am so skeptical of this. Seems we could invest three grand here and be assured a better or, at least, a more secure payback. Also, seems that any payout might be good enough to allow someone living in China to get by in retirement, but that would be a paltry sum by comparison in US money.
Has anyone heard of this? Can anyone offer some solid advice from personal knowledge or experience?
Thanks
Sounds like a single pay annuity? My wife has one and I don't think it's a bad deal at all. Chinese economy is growing and the RMB is strong. I think it's worth it, but... does your wife still qualify if she is not longer a resident of China? That is my only question, but my wife hasn't said otherwise and she is very knowledgable about things like this.
I would like to know more...
Best Regards
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Kaifeng, Henan province.
I can ask her if HSBC there.
Western Union is flawless. We've used it both ways, from me to her and from her to me. No problems and it's inexpensive.
She doesn't need a bank; the money can be picked up through China Post (their post office), mo men tai. Only qualifier is, make sure you put her name in the right order or she won't be able to pick it up. W.U. used to have forms that were unclear as to first name and last name. They've changed that now, at least in my area. Haven't had a problem since.
Good to hear about the "thaw". I hope everything works out for both of you!
Best Regards
P.S. You can track Western Union online if you like to know when the money is actually picked up.
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I see your issue resulting from the generation difference. It can be worked out depending on whether you are committed to this marriage and how much effort you want to put into it.
Thinking about her generation. She is 24 and has no job living with her mother. This generation mostly is spoiled and takes things for granted. It is a generation centered by parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Even kids from some difficulty families learn to be self-centered because other kids around them living like that, so they think that is how life is supposed to be. At the age of 24, she should have finished her college education and find a job and work. If a person doesnt work and make money to take care of herself, she would just dream about her life and would not appreciate anything provided for her because she doesnt know how much effort needed to be put in to bring the money home.
There is a Chinese saying "ren bi ren qi si ren", which means you could pass out if you compare yourself to others. Your wife needs to know she is living in her life and her friend is having hers too. They two are having their own husband and of course life should be different. Let her know what you post here about the life difference between the two families.
About the $200 is enough or not. You lived in China before. And from your planning of your finance and the future life, I should congratulate you that you learned well from your ex Chinese wife. With your income and work capability and wisdom in finance, your wife should reach her dream when she comes to the States. But you need let her know that she needs listen to you because she has no idea of the American life and what needs to be taken care of here. With current currency exchange rate, I would say $200 can cover monthly basic needs. From your description, she doesnt or doesnt know to bargain (which is unusual for a working class girl). She might be tight in getting some clothes. You know, girl's wardrobe is never enough.
I always think sending money is not so necessary when apart (we went with the K1) because the USC needs money to prepare things on this end. I talked with my hubby once about this issue. He said that was because not everyone could have a comfortable life and did not need go to an English class. The USC wanted their fiancee or wife living better. So I guess the amount of money would be decided on what kind of life you want her to have over there. 200 for a basic one and 350 for a comfortable one. China is like America, the life style depends on the income. You also could communicate her that since you two are married now, she need think more of 'we', not 'I'. Every Yuan she saves over there would benefit her life here because you are saving to make it better for her. And now you need her to get involved and her effort.
Even now she doesnt talk on the phone, keep trying reaching out to her. Keep emailing her or sending messages. She can read and she will read. Then she will think. Give her some time and space to think and figure things out. She is not playing a game. She just doesnt understand the life, the hardship, and how to reach the dream. You need work for the dream. The dream will not just simply falls on your head. She marries you. She is not playing. As for the future, if you are committed into this marriage, you need to be patient and help her grow. She is too young to know what life is about.
As to the wedding photo shooting, you should not be upset. That is a common trick the studio plays everywhere, esp. the good ones. When you go there to make an appointment and pick out the program. you think you understand all the details. When you see the pictures and talk about what to put into the album, the problem surfaces. Some studio doesnt give you the negatives, which you always want to own them yourself and think you would need them when making more printouts. Here comes the price for the negatives. When you want to put more pictures in the album, here comes extra cost. When you want to use a better print paper for your big picture, here comes extra cost. There are many ways to take money out of your pocket. Usually when you see the beautiful pictures, you forget about the cost issue. I guess she paid for the 400 basic program price and you paid the 800 for the extra part. Shooting the wedding pictures is a very important part for a Chinese girl. She will show the album to any one who asks about her husband. It is just like having the wedding ceremony is for the bride in the States. How many groom are happy about the process? They just understand that is done for the bride because it is her big day.
Hope this helps.
Cathy, I think a lot of us wish you would post more often. Your wisdom is profound. We can always use more of that around here.
Best Regards
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So.... is $200 lowballing? Those that support their wives ... how much is the norm?
When my business was doing well I would send my wife $500 to $1000 each month.
Since my business collapsed, she has been sending me money, up to $2500 at a pop. She tells me: "Rich or poor, we are in this together."
It doesn't matter how much you send, what matters is who you send it to.
You're in my prayers, Buddy.
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Another update:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d1187fe8-d018-11...00779fd2ac.html
I feel for all those people, but they seem to be acclimated to the crush. I know my daughter and her friend still talk about the Guangzhou Station as being hell on earth!
There is a good, two paragraph analysis of the cause of the power shortage at the end of this article. I quoted part of it in another thread regarding partial de-regulation of the power industry.
Where the deer and antelope play...
in The Middle Kingdom - 中国
Posted
That would be one of those "Trip of a Lifetime" rides, no?