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Q: I'm half australian half chinese, never been to china?
so what would chinese think? I have never been there, but might be going the end of this year to visit fam.
You better speak Chinese, or you'll be in for a world of hurt, lol.
China is blast.
Today, I was 3rd time in Zhengzhou for the bank business. I left 40km away Kaifeng around 10 am, and I returned to my flat at 11pm.
I feel like 'Saturday in 19th century'.
I left Kaifeng this morning ready! I had East Bust Station written in characters. Last week, there was confusion in Zhengzhou, because I had written only 'bus station' in Chinese, and in Zhengzhou there are at least '77' different Bus stations, but return to Kaifeng is possible only from one (East) station.
I also had CMBank's address and Metro Super written in Chinese.
Chinese teacher found out, which busses I should use to and from each of the three points. 'Avoid cabs' was my wish.
I entered Zhengzhou CMB around 11am, and I left bank after 5pm.
A week ago, I told them I need 300 EUR cash, and I want to pick it up together with new CMB Visa ATM card this Saturday.
Today, Bank only had US$ 150 cash, so teller directed me to the computer with advice I can change Rmb to any currency I desire online through the Bank's puter. Another teller assisted me, and aprox. after 45', they told me over translator that only Chinese national can convert Rmb to other currencies, and teller will change Rmb to EUR for me (like they always did in any CMB around China), butT.....I cannot get EUR cash today.
I grabbed US$150, and 'escaped' to Metro for some grocery shopping. I was done in an hour, and jumped on the bus to return to East Bust Station. However, it was 6:30 pm, and there were no busses available to Kaifeng anymore.
Chinese student I asked for help in Zhengzhou told me, I could use train for return to Kaifeng. OK! Other option was overnight hotel ('we don't accept laowai'.....), so train option made me really 'happy'.
At our arrival on the Railway Station, she found out that tickets for today to Kaifeng are all sold out, however there was guy selling 'non-existent' train tickets, so she arranged the guy sold us (me) ticket worth '10 Rmb for 30 Rmb'. She used her ID, and ticket was real. Problem appeared, when I tried to enter 'departures', because my EU ID has photo on R, and Chinese on L...........but they let me entered with my ID.
Express train from 'somewhere' passing through Zhengzhou with stop in Kaifeng was delayed, what I wasn't aware.
8' before the displayed train's departure, I jumped over the railings, because 'mastards' didn't open the doors for entry to train. I 'survived' without being arrested or troubled for jump.
I feel need for counseling. Real thing, me in bed and psychoanalytic MD in the chair.
I think, I'm humble! Aberfeldy and 'All Along the Watchtower' by D. Matthews & Phish had 'healed' moi. Good music can really 'feed' me!
icnif77:
I have more, or maybe it was just a bad 'china' month
?
A month ago my Longines watch stopped, so I looked over the Inter about repair shops available in China, which are authorised for Longines repairs. Shop in Shanghai checked my watch and issued repair bill for 1900 Rmb, what amount I deposited to Shanghai's repair shop. 'House' charged me for the 'express' service, despite I received 'repaired' watch only after 30 days.
As soon as I opened package from Shanghai and checked my watch, repaired part (switch button) remained in my hand. It looked like they just glued (new) switch part to the watch.
I resend watch back to the shop with 'complaint' for new/old repair.
Repair shop issued new bill for around 1500 Rmb. It's called 'new/new song......'. In China.
They start with 'repair' as soon as demanded amount is posted to their ICBC account.
I emailed complaint to the Swiss Longines ('mother farm'), and few days later I received apology from Shanghai's shop, and statement 'I won't be charged with new repair bill..., and watch will be 'repaired' as soon as we can.....' thingy statement.... 
......
What I couldn't do with occasional 'scotch&rocks'
What about weed? It could be healthful too, me thinks........
Lord_hanson:
It sounds like most of your troubles would have been avoided if you could speak more of the language.
royceH:
Hahahahahahaha.......
Thanks for that story, it's made my bcd pale into insignificance and now I'm feeling powerful and bouyant.
I think you should take up heavy drinking, it works a treat! 
icnif77:
@Lord: ''couldn't 'delayed train' be ALSO displayed in numbers like we do in West for non- English speaking passangers? In China, they keep repeating 'delayed' in Chinese over the speakers, however dep. time on display is 'on time'-----> same/not adjusted!
It was the last option for return home that evening, so ........and I had loads of 'problem solving attempts' that day/month......Zhengzhou is different China...."
@Royce: 'It helped somehow, buTT.....I'm always sick after the alcohol treat.'
Ask your fam perhaps.
You will be fine. Your Chinese fam will accept you with open arms.
But be warned...... let your fam know you are coming.
You better speak Chinese, or you'll be in for a world of hurt, lol.
They are likely to hold your fluency in Mandarin (or Cantonese, or Hokkien, or...) to high standards, if you look Asian. If you are mixed European/Asian, you might look like people from West of China, which might freak out some ^^
llcc221:
well i do look mixed, why would they freak out???? i think if i go to any different country not knowing the language its probably going to be interesting,im kinda prepared for that... still not sure if i want to see china yet
MissA:
West of China = Uyghur. Han are quite frequently scared of Uyghurs.
Eorthisio:
More than scared, they are absolutely terrified by Uyghurs. One day in Guangzhou I saw one of them walking into the bus, big guy with a beard and the typical clothes, nearly every other passenger got out at the next stop, not even an important location, just a random stop along the line where 1 or 2 folks get on or out usually, and they all waited there for the next bus with the same number. Just because some Uyghurs are involved into terrorism doesn't mean they all are. Paranoia is never a good state of mind.
DrMonkey:
If you just shave and don't wear that kind of cap that Uighur wear, you'll be fine ^^
What part of China are your family from and where will you be going? There's a huge difference between visiting an urban Shanghainese family and a village in the sticks.
MissA:
I've replied, although I don't think I'm very helpful, here. From what you've said I can see good reasons to visit and no reason not to.
To be honest, I find it difficult to believe that your Chinese parent has not been in regular communication with his/her family so you do not have some sort of relationship already with your Chinese family.
If you are in communication with your Chinese family, what is their attitude to your impending visit?
What is your relationship with them like?
Have you tried communicating with them in Chinese (Mandarin, or whatever they speak)?
You would know better than any of us how they feel about you.
llcc221:
i dont know why its so hard to believe..
but anyway heres something else to add to your disbelief.. i am not in communication with my fam (China) neither do i speak chinese,and i have no idea what my visit will be like to them. in fact they dont even know i am going.
