Meelo
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Posts posted by Meelo
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At the Chicago Chinatown New Year Parade they hand out little Taiwan flags for everyone to wave...
Most people of course have no idea... I've noticed this too in the past....only ROC flags for any kind of celebration...but I also noticed that this year for National Day, Chi Chinatown only PRC flags hanging up...so...maybe they have a more diverse planning committee this year
At least it is getting better. From my experience I noticed that PRC gets no love.
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Yep, someone posted about this a while back, it can complicate things if you have an accident this can prevent you from leaving China until after the matter has been settled.You two are very brave. There's too much liability for foreigners,..., take a bus or call a cab.
SEE: http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=32655
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-08...ent_6979340.htmPolice may prohibit foreigners involved in traffic accidents from leaving the country until the cases are settled.The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said on Wednesday this new authority has been added to the Provisions on the Procedures for Handling Traffic Accidents, and will take effect in January.
However, it will be subordinate to the Regulations of China Concerning Consular Privileges and Immunities as well as other international conventions and agreements signed between China and other countries and international organizations, the MPS said.
Wang Qiang, an official with MPS's traffic management bureau, said the provision conforms to international practices.
"Serious traffic accidents can lead to civil and criminal liability. Many other countries have similar regulations concerning foreigners involved in accidents," Wang told China Daily.
The country is now attracting more and more foreign visitors, and a situation may arise where a foreigner involved in a traffic accident leaves the country before the case is settled. This could delay court proceedings, and a failure to compensate.
"With more foreigners coming to China they could be involved in more road traffic accidents, the new provision helps protect their interests as well as the local people," Wang said.
Zhang Xinbao, a law professor with Renmin University of China, said the regulation also applies to the Chinese people.
"A Chinese citizen is also forbidden to leave the country when facing an unresolved lawsuit," Zhang said.
The provision also enables public security departments to request courts to grant the seizure of properties until cases are resolved. Police may also seize the driving licenses of foreigners covered by diplomatic immunity, and face investigation if they agree.
The payment of compensation or damage by foreign parties covered by diplomatic immunity will be solved through diplomatic channels if they refuse to be investigated.
MPS figures show that more than 44 million foreigners visited China in 2006, almost double the number in 2001.
About 70,000 foreigners reside in Beijing, and Shanghai has more than 300,000 foreign residents.
In Beijing, minor traffic accidents involving Chinese residents and foreigners can be dealt in the same manner as between Chinese, Mei Bingsong, an official with the Beijing municipal traffic management bureau, said.
"Remove the vehicles from the scene to prevent a traffic jam and discuss an agreement, or call the police if no agreement can be reached," Mei said.
Traffic police will be able to deal with the situation if damage is less than 2,000 yuan ($300).
If the accident is serious it will be reported to the bureau's foreign affairs department for further investigation.
After living here for 18 months with the possiblilty of not being able to get a visa for another year I felt that I will need to drive to stay sane. I live in Pudong District of Shanghai, it is not crowded here and I will only drive in Pudong. Also I will not drive like we drive in America. We drive everyday to work. I will continue to use public transportation during the work week.
I have many foreign friends that drive here and they all have never been in accidents. They do carry good insurance with a VIP membership that gives them good service. When they get into an accident they call the insurance company and they help out.
The rules for China are no different than in America. If you have a court case pending in America, you cannot leave the country. It is a felony I believe.
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We took a bus to the Oriental Pearl Tower, great place to see and experience. The view was fantastic, but planning a trip so that you can see the sunset would have been prudent.
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q408/ltbadd/IMG_0497.jpg
Some of the windows were dirty so that interfered with the photo's but I can't imagine how they could be cleaned. To go to the hightest point, 350 meters, cost $150 rmb. If I remember right a meter is about 3' (?)
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q408/ltbadd/IMG_0515.jpg
As you can tell the smog was bad, but probably would have enhanced the sunset with an orange sky. The weather was nice but a bit on the cool side with the wind blowing made it feel chilly.
Richard & Amanda
At least you go to go up the pearl tower on a clear day. We went on a terrible rainy day and you couldnt see anything haha.
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OK, tell me. All you intellectuals and just plain folk like me. I want to know why you decided to go marry someone in a foreign country who can hardly speak a lick of English and you can't speak any of their's.
Why in the hell can't you just find a good mate here in the USA and why in the hell do you have to go around the world to do this????
I just don't get it!
Oh, and Randy is not allowed to respond.
I tried the American thing for several years, but I didn't like the verbal abuse. I met my wife in America and she had good English. But what amazed me was her story, it was different than any other woman I met. Now I can't possibly imagine going back to an American woman because of the lack of International feelings.
I always liked Japanese women because they are so good to there men even when the men treat them bad. At first I didn't know the difference. Now my wife treats me like a king, but isn't affraid to speak her opinion. haha
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Hi everyone,
I would like to ask a question............
Ling is not really a computer expert, and I refused to have her bring a Windows XP Chinese version over to the states, since if anything went wrong I would not be able to fix it. And Ling has had many repairs to the computer she left behind....
So, she has an almost brand new desk top computer with English Windows XP.
So, my question is what do other Chinese in the US working on an English Windows XP system use to input Chinese Characters into e-mails and instant messenger messages ??
Is there special software or input devices that Chinese use to communicate with loved one back in China that can not read English??
Also....Simplified or Traditional Chinese or Both??
The curious want to know and I want to help the wife write her family since no one speaks English....
Tom and Ling
On Vista Ultimate Edition you can have two profiles. 1 in English and 1 in Chinese. Ultimate is the only one that can do this. Also Microsoft office 2007 in ultimate can have chinese too. I think that can solve your problem but it is expensive.
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You two are very brave. There's too much liability for foreigners,..., take a bus or call a cab.
Have you ever taken the bus on a rainy day during rush hour in Shanghai? Now that is an adventure with the goal of making it to work on time hahah.
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Did it! In Beijing! For a month! With my wife navigating! With my 80 Year-Old Parents in the Back Seat!!
I call it Beijing Adventure Driving!!
PapaBear
It will definately be an adventure!
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I gotta admit, after seeing all the wedding photos of the members of my husband's family i had the girly "I wanna do it too!!" moment lol.
I'm talking about those big photoshoots with the gorgeously done pictures. Those big photo books, and the large print to hang on the wall. I saw a couple studios in Fuzhou and Xiamen, but never really told my husband how much I want to do them cuz i'm worried about cost.
The pictures are gorgeous and i would love so much to do them when I'm back in China. But about how much do they cost to do? Are they terribly expensive? What all kind of photos can you do? Are there any studios you would recommend? And have any of you done them before, and what did you think of them?
We did ours in Hangzhou. They turned out awesome. I would highly suggest getting these pictures done. We paid around 2000rmb for this but we had a discount(gotta love guanxi).
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For the past year I have been pondering the idea of driving here in Shanghai. At first I thought that the idea was crazy, but now I think that it would bring me a sense of freedom and happiness. I did the research and had Lei Lei make a phone call to the traffic police. If you have a valid driver's license from America, it is very easy to transfer it to a Chinese license.
Requirements are residence permit, driver's license, and work permit.
Here is what you do:
1.) Bring your American or other country's driver's license to 66 East Nanjing room 702 on the 7th floor for the translation that the police will take. The building is close to the Peace Hotel on the Bund. It took 5 minutes and costed 50rmb.
2.) Make copies of your passport picture page, residence permit, work permit and your driver's license. Any copy shop can do this for 5 jiao per page.
3.) Go to the police station that deals with driver's license in Xin Zhuang. The address is 179 Qingchun road gate #3. Take subway line 1 to Xinzhuang and the take a taxi to the police station. The taxi fee is only 11rmb.
4.) Go to building 11 and get your pictures taken. The photos there are only 40rmb. The photos have you chinese name and your new driver's license number on them. After getting your photo taken you can pick up the pictures in less than 5 minutes. The pictures are for your application, body check, and your driver's license.
5.) In the back of building 11 is the place for the body check. The cost is 60rmb and needs to be done here. It takes 20 minutes and they test you blood pressure, hearing, eye sight and check if you are color blind. The body check form is all in Chinese, so if you are not able to read and write Chinese I will suggest to bring someone who can. The body check doctors speak basic form of English and speaking alittle Chinese is always good.
6.) Go to building 8 room 200 on the second floor. Don't worry about all of the Chinese waiting there, there is a special room for foreigners. There you will give them your copies of the driver's license, passport, residence permit. Give them the translation of your driver's license, applications, and originals of your passport, driver's license, and residence permit. They will give you a test date and a copy of the test with the answers. My test date was in a week. The license is 55rmb.
7.) Return to building 8 on the test day and the time stated. Take the computer test. You have 45 minutes to answer 100 questions. A passing score is 90 and the top score is 99. 1 question is given that is why it is 99 for the top score. You will get your license 15 minutes after you pass the test. You will need to show work permit to show your address.
So for anyone who is brave enough to drive here, Good Luck!
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So what have you learned about 'working in China' so far, from the various google searches you've been doing?
A lot better then "working in America" I broke my BUTT here in America and where did it get me, NO WHERE!!! I know this sounds like I am downing America but the truth is what it is. I do love my Country but I am being beat up by the system daily. I am getting tired of fighting. Some of you may know what I am going through and others may not. I just want some peace in my life. I think we all want that.
Hey John -
I'm sorry, but my question was more along the lines of you learning about -
..what it takes to get a Z visa
..which MNC firms are hiring in China, and what their requirements are
..How to have fun teaching English, which companies to avoid
..benefits of simply going with your wife and getting a temporary residency permit, and then getting a Z visa later...
I was serious about dem Google searches, really !
If yer in reactionary mode, say so !
If you get back into educational mode, ie - you are serious about learning what it takes to work in China, let me know when that happens?
Be Good ! (If you can't be good, don't get caught!)
It's ok, I am just venting. I am serious about teaching English or do something. I have been looking into and researching it. Thanks and I am the one that should be sorry.
I am living in Shanghai with my wife and I am teaching English. Teaching anywhere other than Shanghai doesnt pay good money. If you want a residence permit and a work visa, you need to have a degree and a teaching certificate.
If you have questions shoot me a PM.
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Which is better to fly into Shanghai? I have never flown these 2 international. I have always flown Northwest or Delta. I like Northwest alot, Delta lost my luggage so I am not to fond of them. I did get it back, just was an inconvenience.
Just wanting to know which is the better airlines of the two? Thanks.
I have taken United from San Francisco to Shanghai and it is around 9 and a half to 10 hours. They have old 747's that fly that route and I would suggest upgrading to Economy Plus for $130 more. Like the rest have said any flight for a long time is horrible.
I have also taken China Eastern Airlines from LAX to Shanghai. They are the cheapest I feel but the flight is 13 hours.
I prefer United because of the shorter flight and because it is easier to accrue mileage points with them too.
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One thing I am curious about is Chinese humor. Story and joke telling. Does it exist? I get a sense from the Chinese movies I watched that Chinese and Westerns views of humor can be same, situational things that I thought were funny and were meant to be funny.
Anyone have any examples of stories or jokes that translate well to show that Eastern humor is similar or different than Western humor?
I know that some humor you must have a deep understanding of what the humor relates to, or there is no foundation to understand why something was supposed to be funny.
For example, my ex-wife was Russian,and they seem to love to tell Chuckcha stories. Kinda the way Western born Americans might pick on the immigrate polish. Some translated well, others, you had to understand something about Chuckha to know why it was funny.
I remember sitting down and watching Jerry Sinfield with her when she was here for a year or two, but she didn't laugh once. Then after about 4 years or so, she was laughing hysterically. She just wasn't fluent enough to get the subtle humor.
TimB
My wife can't stand Sienfeld. Just like you said she just isn't fluent enough to understand. Chinese humor I have noticed goes a lot with playing with words. They say words that have the same sounds as plain meanings, but mean something really different.
My wife is at work now, but when she gets back I will have her tell me some jokes and more about their humor.
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Thanks for the tip!
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Meelo,
I've thought about moving to Shanghai to be with my wife but I was afraid of the "above poverty income" requirement. If I was in Shanghai I would not qualify for the income requirement.
Can I ask how you are handling that while applying?
Are you working in Shanghai? I know I could easily work teaching English but that still would be below the poverty level.
Thanks
Also, has the insurance rates gone down as a result of the reduction in cars being stolen?
The insurance rates are going down but not a lot. Here is a website that provides insurance rates by state. It is mid-year 2007 report.
http://www.insurance.com/article.aspx/2007...eport/artid/542
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Meelo,
I've thought about moving to Shanghai to be with my wife but I was afraid of the "above poverty income" requirement. If I was in Shanghai I would not qualify for the income requirement.
Can I ask how you are handling that while applying?
Are you working in Shanghai? I know I could easily work teaching English but that still would be below the poverty level.
Thanks
Also, has the insurance rates gone down as a result of the reduction in cars being stolen?
I think that living in China is a must for anyone marrying a Chinese person. I have been able to learn the language and the culture. The job thing sucks, but I do make over the poverty line. I teach English at Berlitz and make around 23-25000 a year. I know that it is not much but it is over the poverty line for my family of 3. In Shanghai, this is a lot of money for Chinese.
As for Phoenix, I lived in the Norfolk area in Virginia. I felt that the insurance was more expensive there. In both places I drove a Honda Prelude, which is a highly stolen car and also very expensive for a single guy to drive insurance wise. I felt that they were about the same price for both places.
I definately would not let this issue impact my decision to live there.
If you still are thinking about coming to Shanghai, I am sure that I can hook you up with a job at Berlitz.
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One of the big reasons I'm shying away from Phoenix is the high rate of auto thieft. As I understand it this has caused auto insurance rates to be high. Did you find this to be the case and if you're not still living in Phoenix, why did you move?
Thanks,
In the past there has been a high amount of auto thefts. But now, honestly it is not worse than other big cities. Most of the problem is the illegals coming to Phoenix. These days there not very many illegals around because if they are caught then they get a felony on their record. That will not let them legally back into America for anything.
I do not live there now because I moved to Shanghai to be with my wife. We will be moving back to Phoenix as soon as my wife gets a visa. I have no second thoughts about it.
Now the housing prices are incredibly low, but the job market is also weak. So you should look into that stuff too. The schools in Scottsdale are good.
I hope this help.
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If I had the money I would live in Irvine. Lived there before (Costa Mesa) and loved it. But, again, it's expensive.
We want to be somewhat free of a financial overhead. So, if we want to take off to China on a whim we could do that.
In California the financial overhead is too much.
So, what else is there. We like to be near nature too. I'm an avid Jeeper and like getting out in the woods. We also like warmer weather. I'm currently in Florida which is not bad but not much of a Chinese Cultural imprint here.
I guess there's Phoenix. Anyone live there?
Looking for other suggestions.
Thanks,
Hi,
I am from Phoenix and my wife lived in Phoenix when we met. There is a Chinese Cultural Center there and they do a lot of things for the Chinese holidays. The center has some mainland restaurants and an Asian supermarket. There are also asian supermarkets located around town.
My wife absolutely loved it there and we have chinese friends there too. My old Chinese teacher is the one of the heads for Chinese activities in Phoenix. There is a chinese school for activities after school for the kids.
Phoenix is not as busy as LA, but it has a bit of everything too. The only downside of living there is the Summer which can be very hot. But after the first summer you will be used to it. Also the winters more than make up for it. Just like SoCal there is sunshine almost everyday!
If have any more questions about Phoenix, I will be more than happy to help. I can also introduce you and your family to some Chinese people too.
Miles and LeiLei
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Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Driving in Shanghai
in The Middle Kingdom - 中国
Posted
Today I took the test. The test is all computerized and the questions are exactly the same as the test they give you to study. I received my driver's license about 20 minutes after finishing the test and it is valid for 6 years.
I did drive today to the supermarket, but I think that I will keep the driving on a minimum for awhile! B)