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Posts: 2531

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Q: How do you feel about leaving China?

For those that have left China, either for a small period of time or permanently. Do you miss it? 

 

I was in China for 10 years then left to Canada for a year. I didn't miss it immediately but I did as time went on. I went back to China for about 8 months and started to hate it and needed to get out. Moved back to Canada and got a Fifth Wheel at a campground as I know the call to go back to China would raise its head (seasonal stay in Canada was a good idea). And in a few days I will return for several months. 

 

My main draw is my wife, her business is there but I will admit there are some contrasts to Canada that I do love. For example, the real Chinese food, the freedom of chaos that is China... both interesting and frustrating. I both enjoy and hate the attention given being a foreigner. I have financial freedom in Canada but obviously it is to a higher extent in China because the cost of living is much lower.

 

For those that left, do you get a bout of nostalgia now and then? What do you miss the most? Are you thinking of going back? And for those of you still in China, are you itching to get out? 

6 years 25 weeks ago in  Transport & Travel - China

 
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I've left.  I wasn't sure if it was going to be permanent or not when I left but more and more I think it will be.

 

I do miss a lot of aspects of China. I spent well over a decade there and after that long my life was pretty much in the Guo. Most of my best friends are people I met there. The work I really liked doing was there. The great lifestyle I enjoyed was there. Leaving wasn't an easy thing and it really turned my life upside down.

 

At the same time I don't miss the place at all. In fact I often think about the negative aspects of living in China ( everyone here knows what they are so I won't bother going into them) and wonder why the hell I stayed so long.

 

I've had a few good job offers from people I know well and trust so I know I can go back at any time and pretty much resume life as I left it, and I've thought about it a few times but I think when I arrived there I'd really regret going back. Nostalgia is great until you start choking on the pollution again and have people pushing, screaming, spitting, littering etc around you every day while the govt makes foreigners more and more unwelcome.

 

 

 

 

Robk:

Yeah, I gues for me it will be a back and forth thing for a while. My wife's business is only growing and she really enjoys it. 

 

I just look at it like I am vistiing for 6 months off and on... makes it a little more bearable. 

6 years 25 weeks ago
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6 years 25 weeks ago
 
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I've left.  I wasn't sure if it was going to be permanent or not when I left but more and more I think it will be.

 

I do miss a lot of aspects of China. I spent well over a decade there and after that long my life was pretty much in the Guo. Most of my best friends are people I met there. The work I really liked doing was there. The great lifestyle I enjoyed was there. Leaving wasn't an easy thing and it really turned my life upside down.

 

At the same time I don't miss the place at all. In fact I often think about the negative aspects of living in China ( everyone here knows what they are so I won't bother going into them) and wonder why the hell I stayed so long.

 

I've had a few good job offers from people I know well and trust so I know I can go back at any time and pretty much resume life as I left it, and I've thought about it a few times but I think when I arrived there I'd really regret going back. Nostalgia is great until you start choking on the pollution again and have people pushing, screaming, spitting, littering etc around you every day while the govt makes foreigners more and more unwelcome.

 

 

 

 

Robk:

Yeah, I gues for me it will be a back and forth thing for a while. My wife's business is only growing and she really enjoys it. 

 

I just look at it like I am vistiing for 6 months off and on... makes it a little more bearable. 

6 years 25 weeks ago
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6 years 25 weeks ago
 
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I also left in June and will come back most likely just for the visit and not for working. Can't deal with dishonest management anymore.

 

I don't miss China especially not job wise.

I'll have a look at Vladistan from next week on with easy obtainable and low cost Business visa.

I cannot accept full-time employment while on Business visa but any part-time is OK by Ruski law as I understand.

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6 years 25 weeks ago
 
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Haven't left, I've learned how to do the "Mr Robot" delusional effect. I can walk in China and not even notice I'm in China or walking around China. I haven't even made eye contact, I only focus on the needs of work and like Chris Rock advises people to do after an hour and half at a restaurant.

I've made the adjustment and I feel the things that foreigners complaine about and can't handle are not a problem for me as I can sacrifice or work harder to make a situation work out for the better.

PulSartre:

Iron, you should teach us to do the same. It must have to do with strengthening the character anyway. It's great that you come this far and certainly it help you out enjoying your life in China. Well, maybe not all the time, but you get my point anyway.

6 years 25 weeks ago
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6 years 25 weeks ago
 
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I'm ready to return. The problem is if you stay away too long...what you’ve achieved becomes meaningless...People here act like those 6 years of my life...where I did some incredible things...and lived and loved dearly...never even happened......So... Signed a contract to teach again beginning next year. More interested and involved in that work now than any other. Made some important investments here though and would like to pursue them in China also...Was hoping to bring the woman I love in China l over here but she doesn’t seem willing so playing it as it lays...Looking forward to returning with a better standing. There's still personal goals I have in China that I don't have here. I find, for me, achieving personal goals in life tend to outweigh the social ones. 

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6 years 25 weeks ago
 
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I’m very divided. After a decade here, I’ve generally separated China into two parts. My Chinese friends, food and travels are great, but, then there is the business side. A well established business culture of lying, cheating, anything for the RMB, Chabudo attitude. In the West, I’m surprised if a product doesn’t work or is counterfeit. In China, I’m surprised if it’s on time, on spec, on budget, etc. ISO, QC, etc. Certificates should be printed on soft tissue, so, at least, they can be useful. I’ve lost my optimism. However, I’m a professional troubleshooter, facilitator, so I choose to view it as a challenge, rather than being frustrated. The Japanese say all great men have great enemies and should be grateful for them, because, you’re only as good as your best test. So, I’m still here. Rant over. Non illigitimi carborundum!

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6 years 25 weeks ago
 
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Awaiting the time when I can do so permanently... 

 

However, it's sort of ironic (or appropriate!) that the reasons I don't like it here coincide with the reasons why staying can be very profitable - higher standards in a place where crap is the norm.

 

So many things I won't miss about this place... and frankly, I can't think of a single thing that I would miss! (that's China, that is... except a couple of people)

Stiggs:

What about the food? You wouldn't miss that?

 

I do. I learnt to cook some of my favorite dishes but somehow they're never quite the same - maybe because I haven't been able to find shitty gutter oil or 'guess the species' meat.

 

And there's something about the small street restaurants that, for all their faults are just awesome. I always liked the atmosphere in those places.

6 years 25 weeks ago
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Shining_brow:

"What about the food? You wouldn't miss that?"

 

Nope!  

 

Nothing great enough to miss. Sure, there are some nice things... but hey, there's nice food everywhere!

 

 

6 years 24 weeks ago
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6 years 25 weeks ago
 
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I guess I am one of the privileged few that only spend a month or so a year here.
Lucky for you guys in relation to the amount of posts i do while im here.
I will miss my family and friends of course but also the lifestyle of a small livable city.
China for me is a recharge of thoughts and ideas. ..the trick is to get out before it becomes a burden to mental health.

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6 years 25 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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philbravery:

Can I get another 30day visa ?

6 years 25 weeks ago
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earthizen:

Ask Mrs. Philbravery. angel

6 years 25 weeks ago
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6 years 25 weeks ago
 
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Back in China now, got the feeling like I never left... not sure if that is good or bad. 

 

Seems like most of you have dividing feelings about it. As soon as I landed in Beijing... I started to feel the annoyance a little. Huge line-ups... people cutting you off and walking in zig zags... but when I reached my wife it made it all worth while. 

 

 

ironman510:

Which city are you working in?

6 years 25 weeks ago
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PulSartre:

Welcome back! Enjoy your stay.

6 years 24 weeks ago
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Robk:

I am in a smaller city called "Yuncheng" about an hour east of Xi'an by speed train. 

6 years 24 weeks ago
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6 years 25 weeks ago
 
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Been gone 2 years in December. I guess i kinda miss how easy life was but thays about it.

My kid will be raised here.

My wife has her permanent residence and will get citizenship in around 2 years.

I have not fingered anyone, yelled in anyones face, got in a fight with anyone, had my picture taken when i wasnt looking ( or was) or dealt with any of that bullshit.

I talk to my friends in China nearly every day and they have mostly all come to visit.

I will go back to Shanghai and GZ for a month in Nov/ Dec so we will see if i feel any nostalgia then. But as of now..... Nope!

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6 years 24 weeks ago
 
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