Brooms and mops are much shorter and sinks are much lower, making cleaning up the house a pain in the back. If I wanted to, I could hire a housekeeper for around 5$ an hour.
Only the wealthiest people have dishwashers and clothes dryers. Even if I could afford one of these luxuries, there would be no place in my house to put them.
Supermarkets have 50 different brands of maxi pads and 0 tampons.
You can take a tricycle instead of a taxi, but it's not safe. Locals call them bung bung cars which essentially means bumper cars.
Most of my Chinese students have the same handwriting which looks like a cross between Times New Roman and italics. On the other hand, my Japanese students prefer a cross between Ariel and Comic Sans.
Everyone has a gas stove... or a hotplate, but there are no electric ranges. Ovens too are only for the wealthy but toaster ovens are becoming increasingly popular.
The first car I ever bought was a Toyota Echo. While not successful in the States, the same car is very popular in China and is called the Xiali 2000.
A person can make an average of 30$ an hour teaching English. Without a teaching degree and sometimes without any experience.
Apple fan? You can buy iJeans, iLighters, iShirts, iWallets, iScooters and various other items here in China.
I can buy real name brand jeans at the farmer's market for 3$ a pair but sometimes it's tricky getting the security tag off.
Beijing has several Starbucks, McDonalds, Burger Kings, KFCs, Baskin Robins, Cold Stones, Pizza Huts, Papa Johns, 7-11s, and at least two Wal-Marts. But there's still no Taco Bell.
In northern China, vinegar is the preferred condiment... not soy sauce. However most foods contain soy sauce.
I am one month away from my five year Chinaversary. I only planned to be here for six months.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Language Gap or Generation Gap?
When I logged into Blogger tonight my husband asked me, are you writing smack about China???
No, of course not dear, I always keep it educational and unbiased here. Why would I write smack about China??? **Stares at toes.** Maybe I should just write about the cat...
Many people have asked me if Jason and I have communication issues. Especially since, when we met, neither one of us spoke the other's language very well. The truth is, that's one of the things that makes our relationship so special... our ability to "get" each other, even when language fails us. To be honest, Jason's English these days is MUCH better than my Chinese.
I got a text from him the other day while he was at work. It said. "I'M CAPSLOCK... SO BUSY!"
Huh??? I'm pretty good at deciphering Jason's Chinglish... but this one didn't make any sense to me. I didn't reply.
When he got home that night, he flopped down on the bed, exhausted. He says, I learned a new word today. CAPSLOCK! It means you're angry. I laughed in pity. Oh honey, when you push caps lock and write in all caps, it appears that you are screaming, but people don't use the word capslock as a euphemism for being angry. Over the next few days I continued to laugh to myself. I'M SO CAPSLOCK!!!
In preparation for writing this blog, I looked up CAPSLOCK in the urban dictionary:
Well, there you have it. Looks like I was wrong. Who knew?
No, of course not dear, I always keep it educational and unbiased here. Why would I write smack about China??? **Stares at toes.** Maybe I should just write about the cat...
Many people have asked me if Jason and I have communication issues. Especially since, when we met, neither one of us spoke the other's language very well. The truth is, that's one of the things that makes our relationship so special... our ability to "get" each other, even when language fails us. To be honest, Jason's English these days is MUCH better than my Chinese.
I got a text from him the other day while he was at work. It said. "I'M CAPSLOCK... SO BUSY!"
Huh??? I'm pretty good at deciphering Jason's Chinglish... but this one didn't make any sense to me. I didn't reply.
When he got home that night, he flopped down on the bed, exhausted. He says, I learned a new word today. CAPSLOCK! It means you're angry. I laughed in pity. Oh honey, when you push caps lock and write in all caps, it appears that you are screaming, but people don't use the word capslock as a euphemism for being angry. Over the next few days I continued to laugh to myself. I'M SO CAPSLOCK!!!
In preparation for writing this blog, I looked up CAPSLOCK in the urban dictionary:
A Shitty Trip to the Vet
Meet Orangejello (or-AN-juh-lo) AKA Shitty Kitty. What a shitty thing to call a cat, you might say. I agree, but my roommate started calling him that and the name just stuck.
Well, this week Shitty came down with a chest infection and we needed to take him to the vet. Our usual vet only speaks Chinese so I decided to try out the new international vet down the street, just to be safe. I called to make an appointment and they didn't have anyone who spoke English so I surprised myself and managed to tell the receptionist all of Shitty's symptoms in Chinese. I even managed to answer all of her questions about immunizations and past medical history including his recent neutering.
The phone conversation went pretty well until it came time to give her my personal information. J-A-C-K-I-E, I spelled. J-A-C-A-I-E, she asked. Oh dear, after botching both my name and email address multiple times, it was time to give her the name of our cat. I thought about it for a moment. Orangejello is such a long name. So many letters to stumble over! I started spelling S-H-I-T-T-Y. I figured, she doesn't speak English, it's just easier this way. When I finished, she snickered. Nervously, I snickered. A long silent moment passed. Shit. This is one word this girl understands. How embarrassing.
We got to the vet and Shitty's name was already in the system. I paid for his exam and my shame deepened as I was handed the receipt with his lovely name populating several fields. After his exam, I was introduced to the resident vet who was... an American. I hung my head in shame and she walked me through his diagnosis and treatment... all while looking at his chart with his shitty name written at the top.
=======>Mother of the Year Award right here please!<=======
The moral of this story, never assume Chinese people don't understand English.
Oh, and O-R-A-N-G-E-J-E-L-L-O... that spells Shitty!
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Cinnamon Braised Beef
To coin a southern term, I love me some cinnamon and sugar. Throughout the years, my husband has scoffed at every sticky sweet cinnamon concoction that I've made. Recently, I found out why.
In China, cinnamon is rarely used in sweets. However, it is often paired with star anise when braising meat. Jason is so used to cinnamon in his savory dishes that he just doesn't like it in my sweets!
I actually love meaty cinnamony dishes, so here are a couple of new ideas for using this yummy spice!
1. This one is easy! The next time you make a hearty beef stew, toss in two star anise and one stick of cinnamon. It adds such a warm rich flavor to the stew. I love it!
2. Another recipe I love. Toss chunks of beef in a frying pan with a bit of hot oil. Sear the outside of the meat. When it's mostly brown on the outside, toss in some minced garlic, ginger, and onion until they're nice and caramelized. Then, throw in your cinnamon and anise, two cups of water, salt and pepper. Cover your pan and let everything simmer. (I usually have to add more water before the meat gets tender.) Once the meat is almost done I like to throw in a bunch of my favorite mushrooms. Instead of mushrooms, you can toss in some potatoes and/or green beans, which is what they do here in China. Just make sure there's enough water in the bottom of your pan to cook them. When I'm ready to serve this, I take the top off the pan and allow the water to reduce then, YUM!
3. My mother in law uses the above technique to cook pork ribs. She cuts them into bite-sized riblets first, sears, then simmers them. Jason prefers this over the beef. Super yummy!
In China, cinnamon is rarely used in sweets. However, it is often paired with star anise when braising meat. Jason is so used to cinnamon in his savory dishes that he just doesn't like it in my sweets!
I actually love meaty cinnamony dishes, so here are a couple of new ideas for using this yummy spice!
1. This one is easy! The next time you make a hearty beef stew, toss in two star anise and one stick of cinnamon. It adds such a warm rich flavor to the stew. I love it!
2. Another recipe I love. Toss chunks of beef in a frying pan with a bit of hot oil. Sear the outside of the meat. When it's mostly brown on the outside, toss in some minced garlic, ginger, and onion until they're nice and caramelized. Then, throw in your cinnamon and anise, two cups of water, salt and pepper. Cover your pan and let everything simmer. (I usually have to add more water before the meat gets tender.) Once the meat is almost done I like to throw in a bunch of my favorite mushrooms. Instead of mushrooms, you can toss in some potatoes and/or green beans, which is what they do here in China. Just make sure there's enough water in the bottom of your pan to cook them. When I'm ready to serve this, I take the top off the pan and allow the water to reduce then, YUM!
3. My mother in law uses the above technique to cook pork ribs. She cuts them into bite-sized riblets first, sears, then simmers them. Jason prefers this over the beef. Super yummy!
Friday, February 22, 2013
Why can't I write your name in red?
As a teacher, there's one thing I've always got handy and that's my red pen. It's the only writing utensil that you can guarantee that I'll have on me at all times. So last week when a Chinese mom needed to give me her contact info, I casually handed her the nearest one. Holy cow, by the look on her face, you'd think I handed her a snake! She hesitated then asked me directly if it was okay to use a red pen. I thought, well yeah, I gave it to you! Go right ahead.
After she left, I vaguely remembered that there was a Chinese red ink name taboo of some sort and I set out to investigate. I asked my boss Jane about this one. Turns out, writing someone's name in red ink means that they are dead... or if that person is alive, it means that you want them to die.
Jane proposed an origin for this taboo. She said that long ago, epitaphs on gravestones were carved and filled in with red paint. In modern times, names in Chinese obituaries and posthumous credits are also printed in red.
So how do you get from Chinese obituary to red ink death wish curse??? We'll have to take a look at the Psychology of Religion for that! So for the Chinese, writing a name in red is part of a sacred ritual. Boundaries between the sacred and the profane define what is taboo. For centuries navigating taboos has given birth to superstitions, AKA supernatural consequences for appeasing or violating the sacred. So, in this case, the punishment fits the crime: red name = DEATH. Or in the hands of the devious, a curse of death.
Jane also mentioned that writing someone's name inside a square or rectangle is also a curse because tombs and tombstones are rectangular. It's like wishing someone were dead and buried. Good to know. So I guess writing someone's name on one of these might be out of the question???
After she left, I vaguely remembered that there was a Chinese red ink name taboo of some sort and I set out to investigate. I asked my boss Jane about this one. Turns out, writing someone's name in red ink means that they are dead... or if that person is alive, it means that you want them to die.
Jane proposed an origin for this taboo. She said that long ago, epitaphs on gravestones were carved and filled in with red paint. In modern times, names in Chinese obituaries and posthumous credits are also printed in red.
So how do you get from Chinese obituary to red ink death wish curse??? We'll have to take a look at the Psychology of Religion for that! So for the Chinese, writing a name in red is part of a sacred ritual. Boundaries between the sacred and the profane define what is taboo. For centuries navigating taboos has given birth to superstitions, AKA supernatural consequences for appeasing or violating the sacred. So, in this case, the punishment fits the crime: red name = DEATH. Or in the hands of the devious, a curse of death.
Jane also mentioned that writing someone's name inside a square or rectangle is also a curse because tombs and tombstones are rectangular. It's like wishing someone were dead and buried. Good to know. So I guess writing someone's name on one of these might be out of the question???
 |
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Illegal Immigrants in China - Part Two: A Historical Perspective.
China, with a population of over 1.3 billion, has initiated a 100 day crackdown on its nearly 20,000 illegal immigrants. Foreigners have been stopped on the streets and forced to show their passports and residence permits on the spot. Local authorities have performed surprise visa inspections at places of employment. Violators have been detained and fined. Some would say these are harsh actions to be taken by a country with such a burgeoning population and such an insignificant number of illegal immigrants.
Many believe that the current situation is the result of a British tourist assaulting a Chinese woman, the video of which went viral here in China. While many question or deny the connection between an assault perpetrated by a tourist holding a VALID visa and current attempts to rid China of illegal immigrants, a look at China's history would explain why just one act of violence could spur such a harsh backlash towards all of China's foreign nationals.
A superficial look at China would reveal a country that has historically valued well established boundaries. Physical boundaries such as the great wall and walls that encircle entire cities have been erected to keep out invaders. As far back as Confucius, social boundaries have been erected to establish roles to protect families and communities, and even the country itself. Some would argue that this is a particularly Confucian value. China closed itself off from the world behind a shield of political boundaries after a succession of foreign invaders raped its women, stole its national treasures, and took over ports and cities... not to mention managed to hook a significant portion of China's population on opium in order to level out a trade imbalance. Anyone who believes that those wounds have healed underestimates China's enormous sense of pride.
Since the invasions that crippled China, there has been intermittent sentiment that traditional values left the country weak and open to aggression. Many, such as Chairman Mao encouraged complete abandon of traditional ways of thinking. However, China's defense mechanism of establishing boundaries has held fast. The most controversial boundary that China has in place now is the Great Firewall.
Yes, one man perpetrated one crime. Another crime against the Chinese people at the hands of a foreign aggressor. Chinese officials claim that the crackdown was already in place before this crime was committed. It may have been, but with the Chinese already always on the defensive, is it any big surprise that China is protecting itself in the way it knows best... by attempting to shut out foreigners?
Many believe that the current situation is the result of a British tourist assaulting a Chinese woman, the video of which went viral here in China. While many question or deny the connection between an assault perpetrated by a tourist holding a VALID visa and current attempts to rid China of illegal immigrants, a look at China's history would explain why just one act of violence could spur such a harsh backlash towards all of China's foreign nationals.
A superficial look at China would reveal a country that has historically valued well established boundaries. Physical boundaries such as the great wall and walls that encircle entire cities have been erected to keep out invaders. As far back as Confucius, social boundaries have been erected to establish roles to protect families and communities, and even the country itself. Some would argue that this is a particularly Confucian value. China closed itself off from the world behind a shield of political boundaries after a succession of foreign invaders raped its women, stole its national treasures, and took over ports and cities... not to mention managed to hook a significant portion of China's population on opium in order to level out a trade imbalance. Anyone who believes that those wounds have healed underestimates China's enormous sense of pride.
Since the invasions that crippled China, there has been intermittent sentiment that traditional values left the country weak and open to aggression. Many, such as Chairman Mao encouraged complete abandon of traditional ways of thinking. However, China's defense mechanism of establishing boundaries has held fast. The most controversial boundary that China has in place now is the Great Firewall.
Yes, one man perpetrated one crime. Another crime against the Chinese people at the hands of a foreign aggressor. Chinese officials claim that the crackdown was already in place before this crime was committed. It may have been, but with the Chinese already always on the defensive, is it any big surprise that China is protecting itself in the way it knows best... by attempting to shut out foreigners?
Illegal Immigrants in China - Part One: The Need for Immigration Reform.
I'd like to start with a disclaimer. I'm an English teacher in China, and much of this article is in reference to the situation as it relates to a large percent of China's foreign workforce... English teachers. Those who are here working for large corporations doing business as such do not have trouble obtaining valid working visas.
Here's the situation. Only the Z visa comes with a legal work permit. A Z visa can only be sponsored by an individual employer. Working, even part time, on any other visa is illegal in China. Many of the foreigners I know teaching English here in Beijing are working on an F visa, which is technically for those here on business, doing research, or attending conferences. The F visa does not permit a foreign citizen to work in China.
Recently, China has been raiding schools, detaining teachers, and denying attempts to renew F visas. There's debate about what prompted the current crackdown on "illegal immigrants". I think there are multiple reasons for this. I'll discuss one in this article. YES, many foreign nationals ARE working under the wrong visa. It IS a problem, the impact of which is not under debate here, however, it is one prompting the need for immigration reform not punishment and exile for "illegal immigrants".
The media here in China often places blame on what I would call expatriates, not immigrants, casting them as greedy westerners who are out to cheat the government, getting paid under the table by working on the wrong visa. In reality, many foreigners lust after the coveted Z visa and would prefer it over other visas that require leaving the country as often as once a month. Several barriers exist, however, making it difficult for willing foreigners to obtain the proper visa.
I myself have only been offered a Z visa once in my four years in China. My previous employer confessed that they don't even have the proper license to employ foreign nationals. Without this license, a company can not sponsor a work visa. Such licenses are expensive and difficult to obtain for entrepreneurs without the proper connections and extra cash to "grease the wheels". The demand for English schools in China is so great, they're popping up everywhere to meet that need, but with barriers so high that employers are discouraged from following proper channels in obtaining legal licensure.
The job market is flooded with teaching jobs that, in Beijing, pay between $25 USD and $45 USD an hour! A quick glance at the local classifieds shows that only 1 out of 5 employers are offering to sponsor Z visas. Just this week I was offered a job by an agent who told me that the offer did not include sponsorship of a proper visa and was contingent on the fact that "we" be careful and lay low because "they" are cracking down workers with F visas.
Most employers are up front about offering jobs to F visa holders. Others prey on ignorance. I remember when I decided to come to China, I spent hours online looking for the best school. I chose one that offered to provide me with a visa. At the time, I trusted the company to supply me with what I needed to work here legally. I had no knowledge of the nuances between visas and was glad that someone else had offered to do all the work! It was only after I arrived and my school was raided by the police (and several colleagues were caught and fined) that I even thought to question the validity of my visa. This happens in Beijing all the time. What's worse than being intentionally misled is that when the police show up, the employers are often given a choice between claiming responsibility and paying the fine themselves or giving up their employees and allowing them to pay the consequences instead, with no further action being taken upon the school itself. Just last month, a friend of mine was detained for two days because his company sold him out.
Does the abundance of available jobs being offered to F visa holders excuse the fact many expatriates are working illegally? No it doesn't. However, the existing job market makes it tempting to take the risk. I think China should recognize the demand for English teachers and respond accordingly by making it easier for willing and qualified individuals to obtain a suitable visa for working instead of hunting violators down like violent criminals. The proper licensure should be made more readily accessible to entrepreneurs instead of favoring those with government connections. Finally, school owners who refuse to offer Z visas and continue to employ workers with F visas should be held accountable and have to shoulder some of the consequences for their actions.
Now that we got that settled... let's get back to this crackdown. YES, foreigners are violating the law. That's bad. I get it. But I've been hearing the media and even people on the street vilifying "illegal immigrants" and worse, foreigners in general. With a mere 20,000 violators in a country with a population of what??? 1.3 billion? The numbers are staggering. So why is this such a big deal? Why now? Next... Illegal Immigrants in China - Part Two: A Historical Perspective.
Here's the situation. Only the Z visa comes with a legal work permit. A Z visa can only be sponsored by an individual employer. Working, even part time, on any other visa is illegal in China. Many of the foreigners I know teaching English here in Beijing are working on an F visa, which is technically for those here on business, doing research, or attending conferences. The F visa does not permit a foreign citizen to work in China.
Recently, China has been raiding schools, detaining teachers, and denying attempts to renew F visas. There's debate about what prompted the current crackdown on "illegal immigrants". I think there are multiple reasons for this. I'll discuss one in this article. YES, many foreign nationals ARE working under the wrong visa. It IS a problem, the impact of which is not under debate here, however, it is one prompting the need for immigration reform not punishment and exile for "illegal immigrants".
The media here in China often places blame on what I would call expatriates, not immigrants, casting them as greedy westerners who are out to cheat the government, getting paid under the table by working on the wrong visa. In reality, many foreigners lust after the coveted Z visa and would prefer it over other visas that require leaving the country as often as once a month. Several barriers exist, however, making it difficult for willing foreigners to obtain the proper visa.
I myself have only been offered a Z visa once in my four years in China. My previous employer confessed that they don't even have the proper license to employ foreign nationals. Without this license, a company can not sponsor a work visa. Such licenses are expensive and difficult to obtain for entrepreneurs without the proper connections and extra cash to "grease the wheels". The demand for English schools in China is so great, they're popping up everywhere to meet that need, but with barriers so high that employers are discouraged from following proper channels in obtaining legal licensure.
The job market is flooded with teaching jobs that, in Beijing, pay between $25 USD and $45 USD an hour! A quick glance at the local classifieds shows that only 1 out of 5 employers are offering to sponsor Z visas. Just this week I was offered a job by an agent who told me that the offer did not include sponsorship of a proper visa and was contingent on the fact that "we" be careful and lay low because "they" are cracking down workers with F visas.
Most employers are up front about offering jobs to F visa holders. Others prey on ignorance. I remember when I decided to come to China, I spent hours online looking for the best school. I chose one that offered to provide me with a visa. At the time, I trusted the company to supply me with what I needed to work here legally. I had no knowledge of the nuances between visas and was glad that someone else had offered to do all the work! It was only after I arrived and my school was raided by the police (and several colleagues were caught and fined) that I even thought to question the validity of my visa. This happens in Beijing all the time. What's worse than being intentionally misled is that when the police show up, the employers are often given a choice between claiming responsibility and paying the fine themselves or giving up their employees and allowing them to pay the consequences instead, with no further action being taken upon the school itself. Just last month, a friend of mine was detained for two days because his company sold him out.
Does the abundance of available jobs being offered to F visa holders excuse the fact many expatriates are working illegally? No it doesn't. However, the existing job market makes it tempting to take the risk. I think China should recognize the demand for English teachers and respond accordingly by making it easier for willing and qualified individuals to obtain a suitable visa for working instead of hunting violators down like violent criminals. The proper licensure should be made more readily accessible to entrepreneurs instead of favoring those with government connections. Finally, school owners who refuse to offer Z visas and continue to employ workers with F visas should be held accountable and have to shoulder some of the consequences for their actions.
Now that we got that settled... let's get back to this crackdown. YES, foreigners are violating the law. That's bad. I get it. But I've been hearing the media and even people on the street vilifying "illegal immigrants" and worse, foreigners in general. With a mere 20,000 violators in a country with a population of what??? 1.3 billion? The numbers are staggering. So why is this such a big deal? Why now? Next... Illegal Immigrants in China - Part Two: A Historical Perspective.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
