Aussie in love

Thanks for your efforts Randy, and Dan and anyone else involved in the struggle. Greatly appreciated, even greater job! Wishing you a bigger and better 2021

I just stumbled across this. Although I never met Carl and didn’t converse much, I feel like I’ve lost a good solid mate. I just hope Bing is doing OK

Jane and I are a couple of months behind you. I've always followed Lily and your progress. We sure are lucky blokes. Congratulations. Keep living the dream.

Really sad. I've stated in previous posts, I do not believe it is solely China's or US fault. It is the collective fault of "globalization" and greed. The double standards are sickening. The company I work for is perfect example of this. Who can blame a developing country for trying to improve their standard of living? When China no longer are financially acceptable to their profit plans, these clean, green companies will move onto the next wild frontier. This will leave the pollution, concrete, masses, broken agriculture and people. I have been saying this for a few years no, I hope I am wrong. Who has an answer? Really sad.

I earlier missed this thread. We went to Xian in 2006. Also loved this city. Did pretty much all that has been said. Even had the over exuberant guide. He was a uni student gaining an income while studying. One night I bought him a beer and explained what I considered good and bad service. Actions proved he had other options. At the airport I gave our driver a tip that made him smile and then shook the hand of our guide. I have never done this before or since but I don't regret it. By the way, does anyone know what has happened to Fu Lie? Haven't noticed him around for some time.

It's all done in Chinese - I don't get much to say about it. But apparently the plan now is to take it back to this dealer. Randy, I understand there is no other option in the short term. I am am amazed, in admiration to your patience and acceptance. I don't think I could come close. For a four year old car with a lot of ding repair, it still looks pretty darn new. I think I would have gone to the older bodyshop, but I think they'll (the dealer) fix it. As far as I'm concerned, it's just one of the hazards of having a metallic color - the bodyshop didn't want to try for exactly that reason. I wasn’t talking about the car. I admire your patience by living through the normal Chinese kerfuffle and issues with complete acceptance.

It's all done in Chinese - I don't get much to say about it. But apparently the plan now is to take it back to this dealer. Randy, I understand there is no other option in the short term. I am am amazed, in admiration to your patience and acceptance. I don't think I could come close.

Talking in riddles is common. So are blunt, direct questions and statements. How much do you earn? What score did your child achieve? You are fat. How much did you pay for your house? You are bald. What birth sign are you? These approaches are poles apart. Why? What separates them? Sure, we are generalizing, but what the hell? North are direct, south indirect. South are calm, north hot tempered. Northeners can't cook, southeners eat anything. Four legs, fair game, except your own chair. North say south are pretentious. Northern girls more prone to smoke and drink. South cant be trusted, northern people are gold diggers. I guess this doesnt really apply to Gen Y. So much movement and homogenization now. Please, this is not personal or specific. Are the general claims valid? What others traditional traits are there?

Sorry pal but I find this difficult to accept. Good luck.

, or to be asked what chinese zodiac you are. A little more subtle yet the same question.

13 from 33 at 39.39% for me. Proves I know nothing about you blokes.

This is how it dealt with in AU. All legitimate citizens own a unique tax file number. By law no one can employ someone until they provide this tax file number. Heavy penalties are given to any employer who ignores this. Sure, people & networks ignore this but they do get caught out. It seems to work pretty well. These networks such as Asian communities, red light districts, fruit picking seasons, markets etc get a heavy focus. The immigration & tax officers easily nail masses of illegals, employers & most probably both.

¾Æ, copious amounts of Jiu.

Man, I feel for you. I know exactly what youre going through. All you can do is all the prep work like everyone suggests and then just trust her. Although this doesn't really improve her overall driving, this is great advise. It will make her commute safer and allow experience and time at the wheel on her own to develop. When Jane started driving I was a dribbling mess after every lesson. She did improve. Just before she went for test I suggested she get a few formal lessons. She went for a Chinese instructor. All they did was go round and round the test route. They even worked out when she would indicate, when she would look over shoulder. I kept warning her to drive to the conditions because the testing officer could take her anywhere. Anyway, they went exactly to the test circuit. She indicated and turned her head exactly as practiced. She got her licence first time. I was happy for her but greatly concerned. The moral to the story is familiarity will help. It's all a progression.