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Hi Sandi, good luck with the move and visas, etc.. I haven’t tried to transfer money between accounts, but I have just been using my Australian bank account here, as there are heaps of ATMs where you can take cash out. It’s worth looking into getting an account that doesn’t charge international transaction fees though, or you will get wrought.
Once you are here I think it is easy to open a Chinese account – I got my work to help me though. Then I think you can just use western union, though wouldn’t hurt to double check this with someone else.
I bought my phone and a new sim for about 150 kuai (about US$25), you can get a cheap nokia, or just a new sim for your existing phone. Yes, your computer will work here, you can access nearly everything except for facebook and youtube, and some outside news sites. Many people use a VPN for this, which is probably worth setting up before you come. I managed to set it up here, but it was a bit of a pain.
Andy, its more about my funding than the lack of lineup, organisation, etc 🙂 Don’t really know many of the bands, so any recommendations would be good… I usually like more rock/acoustic than electro… but pretty open…usually like festivals, though haven’t been to one here yet.
Maybe this type of ad doesn’t raise an eyebrow because it’s so common, but that doesn’t make it fine.
@stevo Fair point that opinions aren’t going to change by name calling, but they are definitely not going to change by sanctioning it and saying that it is fine, or pretending its not what it is because it’s not an extreme example.
I’m not judging people who are just trying to make a living. But I am judging the way of thinking that is in the ad.
Re similar ads back in the US/Europe, if you rock up to the interview and the guy/girl who posted it isn’t sexist (i.e. views women as objects), then I think that’s probably the exception. I’m basing this on my experience with shitty bar/promo jobs back home, though I’d really love to be proven wrong on this. Here it grates more, because it feels like there are extra points for subjugation of a white girl. And my money is on the Chinese girls who do this job having to deal with sexism in spades. Thus, sexist.
On the fashion industry, yes, I do think they have a lot to answer for. Like why they plaster photos of 15 year old (looking) waif models all over the giant shrines to prada and loius vuitton that you see here – and elsewhere, but the shopfronts here are really huge. And in some other ads, why are the models photo shopped to look ambiguously western? It’s bad, I think, and partly responsible for the import of only some Western values here.
It seems like some of you are saying that people that post ads like this lack education/awareness. Isn’t it fair enough to say what I really think about it, instead of just laughing?
At the risk of further criticism…
If I don’t agree with worker exploitation or the ad, does that still make it a double standard?
@steevo, rick – ok, fair point that maybe the word racist was a bit harsh, but the sentiment remains. Both chinese and foreigners seem to cringe at the ‘token white bugger’ in much of the advertising here. Why does it make so many people feel uncomfortable if it is perfectly ok? Racism means a white girl will get paid more for doing the same job as a chinese girl. It’s (maybe?) not negative if you’re on the ‘paid more’ side, but what other word should I use? If I was a Chinese girl could I use this word?
On the sexist point, if I would be offended by this type of advertising back home, why should I change my standards just because I am here? I’m not naive, but don’t think ads describing people like a piece of meat are ok, anywhere. Also, I think it goes beyond mere political correctness.
Btw, not a fan of hooters either…
Hi I am foreign white skin girl. No I wont accept your job, because your ad is racist(种族主义) and sexist(性别歧视).
I think we should give Chinese people a break before we criticise them for wanting to be like the group. Just because we romantacise the individual in western countries doesn’t mean that is the ideal. Also, if you look at China’s recent history, perhaps it is natural that older chinese encourage their kids and grandkids not to stand out too much from the crowd…
As to foreigners being advertised on taobao, clearly that is ridiculous.
@Linka – thanks for your point about some people thinking foreign countries are better thanks to movies, etc. Actually I think we can blame hollywood movies for a lot of things, not just the two-dimensional view of western countries (and western women) that seems to be in many countries. Most movies are just a different kind of propoganda… (e.g. they want us all to strive to be rich, and buy nike!)
I think we should give Chinese people a break before we criticise them for wanting to be like the group. Just because we romantacise the individual in western countries doesn’t mean that is the ideal. Also, if you look at China’s recent history, perhaps it is natural that older chinese encourage their kids and grandkids not to stand out too much from the crowd…
As to foreigners being advertised on taobao, clearly that is ridiculous.
@Linka – thanks for your point about some people thinking foreign countries are better thanks to movies, etc. Actually I think we can blame hollywood movies for a lot of things, not just the two-dimensional view of western countries (and western women) that seems to be in many countries. Most movies are just a different kind of propoganda… (e.g. they want us all to strive to be rich, and buy nike!)
Brendan – lol, def up for hilariously sadistic firework fun. Beijing confirmed. I’ll be staying in the houhai area, if you’re around…
Brendan – lol, def up for hilariously sadistic firework fun. Beijing confirmed. I’ll be staying in the houhai area, if you’re around…
Awesome, I love fireworks. They are banned in Australia, some damn idiot kids blew up their faces or something and spoiled all the fun. Or was it drunk Aussie adults? Who knows…. anyway sounds fun!
Hey guys thanks for all the advice. I’ve decided just to go to Beijing for a few days as I have some friends there I’d like to visit, and just hang out – flights out of China were a bit too exy, much cheaper to BJ. Though flying to Nanjing and then going to Vietnam did sound pretty cool too.
Rick – you gave me a great idea, any one else want to buy fireworks and set them off “safely”?
What about the Chinese man’s thinking?
Hi thanks all for the advice. So I’ll try and enlist the help of a local, and try not to look desperate (or bourgeois).
Hi thanks so much everyone, will give computer city a try. In any case I will back everything up before I take it in…
Do you know if they speak english there?
Hi Charlie, little bird told me you might still have one ticket for this avail. If so, I’m in… let me know 🙂
Hi just wanted to confirm that I’ll bring spome kind of fancy salad – e.g. chicken and pumpkin, as well as a bottle of red.
