User Comments - RJ

Posted on: Welcome to ChinesePod

hehe, I was thinking the same thing. It took me 12 months just to learn "how" to learn Chinese. Unless this is Simon's brother, he better pack a bigger lunch than that.

Posted on: Help Calling a Cab

I asked two Chinese friends who live in SH. Sometimes people "believe" things are one way when if fact they are not, but this is the answer I got. They are not big on details as you know, so I may need to call him to nail it down airtight. I do remember him saying a couple years back that you can no longer register a scooter in SH but there is a grandfather clause. This guy used to have a scooter and I know he rode it to work, but now he has graduated to owning a car. Our office is way outside the city however.

by "scooter" I mean a gas (petrol) powered Vespa. Something so ugly no motorcyle enthusiast would ride. Those abominations with the little 10 inch wheels or whatever they are. I have seen entire families on these things and they are everywhere in china. If you rode one in the US, you would get beaten up by the guys on "real" motorcycles. This has nothing to do with mopeds, bicycles, or electric powered bicycles.

Posted on: Help Calling a Cab

bodawei- as a follow up, I did ask. The answer I got was that anything under 250cc is permitted, except on the elevated highway. All others are banned in Shanghai. I guess that explains the scooters I see. I dont see the logic here unless they are just making a concession for those that cant afford another way to work. I have never seen a 3 wheel taxi in SH. Other places yes, but not in SH. I, like most Americans, would not be caught dead riding anything under 250cc or wearing one of those plastic helmets. I do respect the fact that they do what they have to do just to keep on keeping on however.

Posted on: Why are You Studying Chinese?

That reminds me of a joke on one of the TV sitcoms. There was a discussion about the parents not knowing their adopted child was from China and one of the characters commented that they would surely figure it out in a few years, once the kid started talking. The implication was that she would speak Chinese, simply due to heredity. Too bad it doesn't work that way. If it wasnt for that stickball thing, I would be a concert pianist and speak 5 languages today. We all have the same regrets. Good luck.

Posted on: Help Calling a Cab

hehe, well its supposed to be just a little bit funny, but Im guessing thats not the kind of "laughed at" you were describing. Oh well, back to the drawing board. It would work in the US.

Posted on: Help Calling a Cab

So if Im at a meeting or dinner party and I have to go to the bathroom, if I stand up and say 我出去办事，will they understand or will everyone think I am not coming back?

Posted on: Help Calling a Cab

I will ask. I always wanted to rent a motorcycle to learn my way about SH. Its not going to work if I get arrested now is it.? Admittedly, that may not be the biggest risk here.

Posted on: Help Calling a Cab

does a ban on motorcycles usually include scooters? Because I can tell you they are definitely everywhere inside the ring. I have never heard a ban mentioned in SH although I have heard of this in BJ. I do know its hard to register new scooters in SH because they want to limit the number.

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

bodawei,

I have one more question. The agent's percentage. This is of one month's rent and is paid only once - correct?

Posted on: Exchange Rates

Yea the exchange rate today is 6.66. In 2004 it was 8.21. At that rate 1000 RMB was only $122 vs your $150 today. The US pushes for this, and if they had their way you would be paying $200 for 1000 RMB. At least the US pretends to push for it. It would "reduce the trade imbalance" but its the weaker yuan that makes business in China so lucrative in the first place. So high power business types, politicians, and investors are getting rich off the same thing they complain about. Its the little guy who loses his job. Fortunately they can count on China to resist. Its a game, but it is creeping up slowly. Of course I like it better when the yuan is weak against the dollar. Fake Mont Blanc pens are cheaper that way. When you factor in the cost of all the shirts I have ruined with ink stains, it just isn't fun anymore.