Answers of the Day

Hi airyk.

I try to stay away from any questions about "trolls", as I think they are usually a big waste of time that leads to a bunch of useless finger pointing and name calling... But at the same time, I'm getting pretty tired of the "core" users on this board constantly proclaiming that new users who show up and ask XYZ question are automatically Chinese wumao,...

I guess you could, but the process would be much more slower.

The fundamentals of any culture are forged during the childhood/adolescence and it is very hard to understand those experiences unless you have a very close relationship with a Chinese person that can explain it to you on a daily basis. Or unless you have lived in China since you were a kid, but I guess...

I had a couple of ladies - one older, one younger, knock on my apartment door one night.

They told my wife that they were representing Walmart and wanted to demonstrate the cleaning products that Walmart offered.

I asked my wife, "Do they have any Walmart I.D? Do you think that Walmart does such a thing?" Out went the two women.

I...

This is a tricky question. I try to keep it on just to avoid catching a cold from the hoards of people coughing all over the place (don't know about pollution). However, it gets insanely hot on the subway, and the last thing you want to be doing is standing like sardines in full winterwear with a facemask on, so I usually end up taking it off, flu season be damned.

To get married in China you do not need a residence permit.  What you need are certified copies, translated to Mandarin and notarized, that you are eligible to be married.

Or if you get any flack, just go to Hong Kong, where you get married just with your passport, np documents required.  Must go once to request ban appointment, then return on the date given to...

If you're that worried about it, why not use an agent? No doubt more expensive, but it seems they have the connections to get around this issue.

I notice that they tend to say if you're denied F visa or similar, they they'll give you an L...

I would say extremely difficult to get one.  You must have a steady job and good income for over one year, have work permit and residence permit, and of course, anj account with the bank and some sort of credit record.

I gave up on getting one, I do use the debit card from a savings account instead.

I even tried to get a prepaid one, and Bank of...

Agreed about the expat market shrinking, and China is actually passing laws to hasten this. As example, the big four accounting firms have been told that they must employee 80% Chinese citizens by 2017. Additionally, all senior partners in the firms must be Chinese citizens.

This has the big four very nervous about their credibility, given that Chinese legislation forbids...

On the first day of every semester, I set rules for the class, and then enforce them. This takes many Freshmen by surprise, for while they are used to rules, they are not used to the consequences of breaking them.

All in all, I feel that I'm pretty patient. I don't lose my temper, but make light of a lot of things that happen. It's "ebb and flow," but I let them know on...