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December 26, 2005
SMS in China
So here's something that's really puzzling when it comes to SMS (short message service) in China that completely baffles me.
a, 95% of the time when someone from abroad sends me a message it does NOT arrive, this also applies to foreign network phones roaming in China, exceptions have been Singapore and India, however my replies never reached these people.
b, Quite often you can send a message and delivery report arrives 15 seconds later informing you that the message was delivered, when in fact it never arrived on the other persons phone, I have tested this on a number of ocassions and can confirm this.
As you can imagine this can be very frustrating, especially in a country where SMS is so widely used, I must send 20-30 messages per day.
So a word of warning, do NOT rely on SMS as a sure fire method of sending a message, well worth following up with a phone call, or asking for RSVP to be 100% sure.
And finally does anyone happen to know whether my China Unicom (prepay) sim card can be upgraded to be able to roam internationally, or alternatively upgraded to a contract (post pay) whilst keeping my existing number ?
Posted by shak at 2:48 PM | Comments (9)
December 23, 2005
Merry XmaX
Since today is probably the last day at work for all you lazy folk back home in UK and also in the USA, I thought better send you seasons greetings and wish you a Merry XmaX
The reason I spelt it with a X at the end was after seeing 1 of Shanghai's top Shopping Centres with a huge sign outside saying this, and since I have no idea what's happening back home, I assume it's been changed to XmaX.
Posted by shak at 2:55 PM | Comments (6)
December 22, 2005
A year without 'Made in China'
Came across this on Danwei
We hit the first rut in the road when I discovered our son's toes pressing against the ends of his tennis shoes. I wore myself out hunting for new ones. After two weeks I broke down and spent $60 on sneakers from Italy. I felt sick over the money; it seemed decadent for a pair of children's shoes. I got used to the feeling. Weeks later I shelled out $60 for Texas-made shoes for our toddler daughter.
Nice experiment and well worth reading the whole article. funny thing is that in China a lot of the well to do Chinese feel the same way, especially when it comes to Luxury Goods.
Posted by shak at 3:34 PM | Comments (3)
December 19, 2005
Survival guide to staying warm in Shanghai
So after 2-3 weeks of hell here freezing my XXX off in Shanghai, I think I have finally got to a stage where things are kinda under control, although this being China, menas that a big surprise awaits no doubt!
so here goes in terms of keeping warm in Shanghai:
Fleece Vest or Jacket is a must
Regular trips to Coffee Bean for hot drinks, as they offer free WiFi and are a lot warmer than Starbucks in my opinion, less people means less opening and closing of doors.
Heated Electric Blanket
Duck or Goose Feather duvet is an essential piece of your bedding.
Electric Heaters and Warm air from Air Con unit is fine if CONTINOUSLY on, as there is NO insulation and lots of gaps in windows for draught
However the heating leads to severe dryness of the air, and to counteract that you need a Humidifier to spray some moisture in the air on a continous basis.
So now you know why I havent blogged since last week as I have been busy soling my heating issue in the apartment, only problem now is the fact that I dont like stepping out anymore ;)
Posted by shak at 3:09 PM | Comments (1)
December 12, 2005
new Maid and new Chinese Teacher
All change round here since returning from the UK last week, new maid seems to be rocking at the moment, even making Fresh Orange juice for us and delivering the Dry Cleaning on her day off over the weekend.
I also have a new Chinese teacher with whom I start lessons today, I actually came across her whilst she was giving a lesson to a student in STARBUCKS, and I watched from afar for about 10 minutes and was suitably impressed. although I am a bit worried as she showed my Business card to some of her other students who seem to know me from Clubs and Bars in Shanghai, surely I don't go out that much, do I ?
So if you see me and a Chinese lady in her late 20s in various Coffee Shops around Shanghai, do NOT come up to say HI, as it'll cost ya big $$$s
the saga continues ...
Posted by shak at 7:53 AM | Comments (4)
the best China blogs of 2005
Danwei as always has a great piece on english blogs in China that are worthy of awards and mentions, a lot are my daily reads:
Thanks to Danwei for including me on the list, it's a true honour, as Danwei was 1 of the first blogs I started reading when looking at the whole "move to china" thing started going on in my head. Gracias Guys!
Posted by shak at 7:37 AM | Comments (0)
December 9, 2005
Shanghai in the eyes of Silicon Beat
When I frst came to China, Silicon Beat the VC blog out of Silicon Valley very kindly did a piece on my mission to China, ever since then I have been inviting Matt out to come sample Shanghai for himself, however his trip coincided with my trip back to London.
That aside he has written up on what he experienced here, and I am glad he managed to party with some of my buddies here at Bar Rouge, apparently Mimi was there aswell and Matt has a picture to prove it somewhere.
Before I left from the U.S., two friends had recommended I look up Mark, a passionate and plugged-in young man of 35. However, despite emails back and forth, we'd missed each other -- he is a busy guy.
Then here I was, being introduced to him at 3am in a bar with next to some Ukrainian and Brazilian models. This wouldn't have happened in Silicon Valley -- namely because there's no such thing as a hip bar that jams until 5am -- or at least one that I know of, or which VCs frequent. And alas, no Ukrainain or Brazilian models.
Shanghai Scene
The China Wars
Play in Silicon Valley vs Shanghai
Posted by shak at 2:17 PM | Comments (0)
December 8, 2005
Welcome back to China
Flight landed on time and everything was super smooth, so whilst looking for my driver amongst the crowds surrounding the exit, I was amused by a driver holding a sign which read:
"Please pick up this passenger from the Airport"
I can only assume that an email or message arrived in English and they printed off whatever it said first and handed that as the name sign for the driver to take with him!
====
Arrived home safely to be greeted by the new AYI (maid) who seems to have initiative, common sense and is hard working, unlike the previous one who was sacked in my absense, this 1 even refused to take my clothes for dry cleaning 100 yards away as in her opinion they charge "White man prices" and instead will take home with her to her local place and pay local money, we shall see I suppose.
====
It's absolutely FREEEEZING here, so after getting settled in, I decided to go buy an additional Oil filled radiator as Gas Central Heating does not exist, shop across the road obliged and sold me a lovely unit for about $30, however upon bringing it home, unpacking and assembling wheels etc, as soon as it was due to work it decides to EXPLODE, so now the hallway stinks of Oil and I am out of pocket by $30, until I hopefully get it replaced in the AM.
Welcome to The People's Republic of China
Posted by shak at 6:25 PM | Comments (1)
December 7, 2005
Here we go again ...
Just gone 8am in London and I am taking a break from packing my suitacases as I my flight to Shanghai leaves in about 6 hours time, I am looking forward to going back apart from 1 thing:
Cold Weather and NO Central Heating
I am so used to being in a nice cosy apartment here where there is heat 24 hours around the clock, and being faced with Cold mornings etc in Shanghai just don't put a smile on my face. Oh well, nobody said it'd be easy.
See ya soon folks !
Posted by shak at 2:04 PM | Comments (1)
Business Cards
10 days and about 20 meetings and a total of 28 or so new folks I had never met before, and my Business Card collection has increased by about 4.
If this was China, It'd be at least 28 but probably more like 56, as no doubt the waiter, cab driver and cleaner would want to share their business card with me.
And some strange looks when I was giving my card in Chinese fashion ...
Posted by shak at 3:59 AM | Comments (2)
December 5, 2005
Cost of living in China
Seems like a lot of people in the UK suffer from what I call "China Syndrome" (= assuming everything in China is $1), so to hopefully share some info, I thought maybe I should do a breakdown of what it costs ME to live in Shanghai per month.
Rent and Bills = £300
Taxis = £100
Communication costs = £100 (mobile, web, landline)
Chinese Lessons = £200
Food = £300 (Lunch and Dinner)
Sub Total = £1,000 ($1,730 or 14,000RMB)
The above does NOT include any entertainment costs, and these can be a lot of money, a $500 saturday night is quite possible and happens once or twice a month, the above also does NOT include travelling within China when applicable, flights to most Chinese cities are around £100 return, and a day's Car hire with driver to go visit factories etc would be around £75.
The above as I am sure you can work out is in GBP Sterling, so to get a U$ figure, simply multiply by 1.73 and to get the Chinese rate simply multiply by 14
So there ya have it, a bit too much information on my spending habits in China, but hey, I am sure it will all be worth it in the long run ;)
Posted by shak at 2:38 AM | Comments (9)
December 2, 2005
Mike Grehan blogs about his trip to Shanghai
the world famous search expert and author Mike Grehan was in town a few weeks ago for AdTech Shanghai, and has finally managed to get it down for the masses to read.
Fortunately, I had printed the details of the hotel from the web site. So I had a picture of the hotel along with the name written in Chinese below the logo. So I get the thumbs up from the driver. And off he lurches... I've never felt G force in a car before! I was pinned to the back seat of a car driven by a man seemingly on a death wish. Nothing can prepare you for the total and absolute impatience of a Shanghai cab driver. Any speed in any lane, with hand firmly keeping the car horn pressed down!
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
The End
It's fab reading and gives you serious insight into China from a first time visitor, must read over coffee time in my opinion.
Posted by shak at 2:14 PM | Comments (0)