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SnappySammy
Board Buddha
Joined: Nov 01, 2007
Posts: 14932
Status: Offline
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Nov 28, 2008 - 04:41 AM |
 
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Perhaps it's a little bit planned |
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Yank My Doodle It's A Dandy |
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timhortons09
Reacher
Joined: Nov 13, 2008
Posts: 223
Status: Offline
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Nov 28, 2008 - 09:30 AM |
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this is probably the best thread on this website |
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Zak101
SuperStar
Joined: Jan 20, 2003
Posts: 1597
Location: 苏州 Suzhou
Status: Offline
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Nov 28, 2008 - 11:53 PM |
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Got a couple of good ones.
Highly tipsy after a good night out with "the lads". Hail a Taxi home. Arrive at home. F**k, only 5 kuai left in the wallet for a 17 kuai trip. I did say, Highly tipsy.
Cabbie refuses the fiver and wishes me goodnight with a smile.
Stumbling, slurring, swaying Laowai. I did have many Mao redbacks in the drawer at home, or I could raid the wife's purse for a 20 if he could only wait 8 minutes. Very confident that I could pay him for the journey once I got back.
I explain in Chinese that he should wait, and that I would be back with coin, but he waved me away and drove off.
Take his cab number, put it in the phone but I lost my old China Mobile SIM card - vacuumed up.
I have yet to repay his good turn, but I'm sure I will find the chance. Randomly.
Second :
I had some good Aussie friends come to stay with us from Zhengzhou, a couple and their 2 daughters. Went to the megamarket to buy fresh linen (sheets), new pillow slips (cases), new quilt covers, an air mattress & pump + 4 new pillows and what not.
Struggling with all this stuff to the taxi stand, 2 of the plastic handles on the pillow packages broke and they fell to the muddy ground, Ah F**k. Anonymous elderly man picks up the 2 packages and walks with me to the taxi.
Mastercard moment.
#3. Shanghai station. Picked up my daughter from Pudong airport and we're heading back to the 'Zhou after a night in SH. We've got baggage and gifts, she has 2 trolley bags and I've got a large suitcase.
We're hauling our luggage down the ramp on the side of the stairs and one of the wheels on her trolley bag breaks, so it's a dragging event not a smooth ride.
Young Chinese guy steps in, picks up her errant bag and carries it down, in step with us, and we get on the train happy as Larry.
Xie Xie isn't enough. Another good turn I have to repay!
It's not always a sh*t sandwich here. You'll find kindness & honesty from the least expected people.
Complete Strangers swooping in to help.
Heads up and be reciprocal - to the least expectant people, raise the image of the Laowai. Surprise them, let them talk to others about their experience with YOU, the Laowai.
Doesn't cost a penny, and a sincere smile is the sweetest gift you can give to anyone.
You know, I've had so many PMs asking for where they can help in orphanages, or work with disadvantaged people (millions) that I have a stored .RTF file providing advice. Very glad to see that we can give so much if we wish. I'm not Ghandi, I'm not holy.
Another writer here said that good things happen every day to him/her.
Yep, today before a tuition session, I got a huge unprompted hug from one of my kiddie students.
Other days I feel like I'm on an 18 month manned mission to Mars, completely alienated - somehow contemptible for no reason other than being different.
It's not that bad here on balance. Have to keep reminding myself that I sometimes make more folding (cash) in a day than some make in a month.
Save your nails for someone else more deserving.
Cheers,
Z. |
_________________
The luckiest guy in China ! http://lucky-jamieson.com Try your luck.
Last edited by Zak101 on Nov 29, 2008 - 06:07 PM; edited 4 times in total |
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SHstormtrooper
Reacher
Joined: Sep 18, 2008
Posts: 277
Status: Offline
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Nov 29, 2008 - 12:05 AM |
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An old local, stood up and allowed me to sit down on his seat as he was getting out of the Metro. That was wierd, I kindly refused because I didn't know what to do. |
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God must love stupid people. He made SO many. |
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Shangstar
Low Seater
Joined: Feb 07, 2008
Posts: 3313
Location: Spitland
Status: Offline
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Nov 29, 2008 - 12:24 AM |
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a local guy allowed me to get off the Metro before he boarded. |
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heretoday
Talker
Joined: Sep 23, 2008
Posts: 80
Status: Offline
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Nov 29, 2008 - 01:17 AM |
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I was sitting on the subway and an old lady gets on assisted by her grown daughter. I instinctlively jump up and offer my seat to her and they glady accept. I felt good for having done it but then the daughter later on asked for me to have her seat but I said I was about to get off the train. It was a good experience but I can't help feeling I benefited the most. |
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heretoday
Talker
Joined: Sep 23, 2008
Posts: 80
Status: Offline
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Nov 29, 2008 - 01:38 AM |
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I was geting money changed in the bank and the teller, a young man, was helping me with the paperwork and I was taken by how cheery he seemed. As we proceeded he got distracted with some detail from a previous transaction that a colleague pointed out to him but he got back to the task of changing my currency.
So I say "xie xie" and leave the bank having counted my money and think nothing of it. That day I had forgotten my mobile, left it at home and when I got to it there were 17 missed calls. And then the next call I picked it up and it was the teller. I handed the phone to my girlfriend and he told her that he had been trying to reach me all day. Apparently he had made a mistake in converting my currency and was insistent that he track me down to make the correction. THen I asked - well how much does he owe me to which the reply was 7 rmb. My reaction was understandably - what a big deal, tell him to forget about it. But he wanted to make amends and was on his way to our apartment with the money. When he arrived I thought this is bizarre in a way but I really appreciated that he had gone so far out of his way to set things right. I shook his hand and marvelled at such honesty and trust while on the CNN in the background the latest bailout for the greedy and wreckless bankers was being reported on. This gesture made me reflect on the absence of cynicism that oftentimes is found in the youth and how life can make us jaded and also about having integrity in small things when no one else is watching. |
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OZDave
Raver
Joined: July 04, 2008
Posts: 423
Status: Offline
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Nov 29, 2008 - 04:48 PM |
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A month or two ago, on a friday evening after a long week of very hot days I was walking home from the metro station in light rain with no umbrella.
I was happy to get a bit wet as it was pretty refreshing after a long week of hot days.
A random chinese guy came up to me with an umbrella, and pulled me under it. He made sure my bag did not get wet which meant he was barely under the umbrella himself.
Despite many prοtests he walked beside me all the way home. |
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conniechong
Reacher
Joined: May 30, 2005
Posts: 338
Status: Offline
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Nov 29, 2008 - 05:00 PM |
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whenever and wherever I see old couples holding hands walking on the streets, is already a pleasant image for the day. |
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Zak101
SuperStar
Joined: Jan 20, 2003
Posts: 1597
Location: 苏州 Suzhou
Status: Offline
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Nov 29, 2008 - 06:23 PM |
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@ heretoday :
"Then I asked - well how much does he owe me to which the reply was 7 rmb."
..."and was on his way to our apartment with the money"...
Amazing. I hope this story is real, because it raises the bar for Chinese bank service. Either that or I'm so gullible that I (we) believe you.
Equations are nice. Bus/taxi fare = A, return Bus/taxi fare = B. Money returned to foreigner = C. Salaried time = D.
Ultimate result ? A+B+D > C.
Are you sure ? I'm somewhat unsure.
Which Bank ? What branch ? I'm holding out an olive branch here.
Cheers, Z. |
_________________
The luckiest guy in China ! http://lucky-jamieson.com Try your luck. |
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timhortons09
Reacher
Joined: Nov 13, 2008
Posts: 223
Status: Offline
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Dec 01, 2008 - 03:04 PM |
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going home one day i get into a taxi, i can hardly speak any chinese and after saying my address the driver looked at me blankly. a local woman walking past stopped, spoke to me in english asked me where i was going and then spoke to the driver. she then told me that the driver didnt know where i lived and offered to help me get another taxi, this was very late and i had already waited some 15 minutes for this taxi. she helped carry my bags waved a taxi down almost instantly put me inside along with my bags and told the driver the exact address, i stammered my thanks and said goodbye.
i have been in shanghai now for 2 months and have probably never met a larger gathering of such nice and polite people in my life, of course there are those out there who are not polite but it's the little acts of kindness that everybody remembers. Shanghai has truly made me believe in the kindess of strangers of I only hope that when foreigners come to the country I reside in I can be as helpful and nice as so many people have been to me. |
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MrInvisible
Talker
Joined: Feb 28, 2005
Posts: 90
Status: Offline
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Dec 01, 2008 - 03:19 PM |
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I got a 2-girl "massage" and in the end they only charged me for one girl. That was certainly unexpected! |
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fanfan1
Reacher
Joined: July 18, 2008
Posts: 223
Status: Offline
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Dec 02, 2008 - 09:09 PM |
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1 Standing on the street and looking at my map and compass(I always got lost), a man came and asked me where I wanted to go, after he explained the place for me long times, I still can't understand. He guided me to the place by walking.
2.I ordered my food, everything packaged, suddently realise I forget to put my wallet into my bag, before i said "sorry", the seller said "take it, give me the money tomorrow." |
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昨夜西风凋碧树 独上高楼 望尽天涯路 |
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SnappySammy
Board Buddha
Joined: Nov 01, 2007
Posts: 14932
Status: Offline
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Dec 02, 2008 - 10:51 PM |
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sounds like a scam! |
_________________
Yank My Doodle It's A Dandy |
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timhortons09
Reacher
Joined: Nov 13, 2008
Posts: 223
Status: Offline
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Dec 08, 2008 - 03:01 PM |
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i went to shenzhen on the weekend for my visa and went to hong kong for about 2 minutes before going back to shenzhen however i missed the last bus back to my hotel and a taxi from there would have cost me 160rmb, which would have left me short for my hotel. i asked if there any more buses around and 1 of the locals who sort of understood what i was saying took me to a police officer. he told me that the buses were finished for the day and that the only way back was taxi. i told him i didnt have enough money so he said for 80rmb he could get me back to my hotel, i sat and talked to him before eventually he told me to give him 50rmb and said he would make sure i got back to my hotel. he told one of his colleagues to walk me over to the nearest taxi. here he told him in chinese that he was to take me to my hotel for 50rmb, the taxi driver didnt look impressed but agreed i handed him my money and said my endless thanks to all the police officers who helped me and the guy from the bus service. these people helped me get a half hour taxi ride for only 50rmb and guaranteed that i didnt spend the night in a cold park in shenzhen as that looked like my only option at one point. it is unlikely that they will ever read this post or know about it but they truly helped me so much that night and i will be forever grateful.
p.s nice one on the taxi driver for taking me back to the airport for so little, i know he wasnt pleased but not sure he could say no to the shenzhen police lol |
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america-is-best
Seeker
Joined: Nov 28, 2008
Posts: 45
Status: Offline
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Dec 08, 2008 - 03:50 PM |
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I went for a massage, got A LOT more. Legalized prostitution. THe only redeeming point to this country. Luckily the woman here have no problems with being whores. |
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Zak101
SuperStar
Joined: Jan 20, 2003
Posts: 1597
Location: 苏州 Suzhou
Status: Offline
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Dec 08, 2008 - 04:30 PM |
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No, I can beat that.
Suzhou.
Went to the PSB Dungeon today with Mrs Zak101, got all the forms signed and chopped on the spot.
Then on to the Entry/Exit Bureau in the huge Government Office section for foreigners where everything was stamped and approved, and a visa for a further 12 months here in China was approved immediately.
Guess I haven't f**ked up in 5.8 years.
Now, that's an unexpected pleasure, having things done the way I would expect the procedure to be done linearly in Oz. However, a visa in China is not a right.
Got all your "ducks in line" = all your paperwork in order, and things go very well.
I'm as happy as an Anhui sow in mud on a sunny day.
Got the nod for another 12 months here in China, today.
Whew.
Unexpected pleasure when I needed it the most.
I hope you, dear reader, also receive an unexpected pleasure tomorrow in Shanghai.
Z.
@AIB: I hope you receive an unexpected pleasure tomorrow. I expect there is a minimum level of civility among the users of this forum.
I'm talking about experiences that enrich your life, not enrich your d**k.
Attack ! You have engaged and enraged posters and viewers here with various unreasonable diatribes. Be prepared with your limp replies.
I'm just advising a celebratory event, as a guide to all SH EXPAT viewers, to illustrate that it isn't always cr*p here, and it it isn't too hard to get permission to stay here under the right circumstances.
Double Z.
Bring it on ! |
_________________
The luckiest guy in China ! http://lucky-jamieson.com Try your luck. |
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SnappySammy
Board Buddha
Joined: Nov 01, 2007
Posts: 14932
Status: Offline
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Dec 13, 2008 - 12:33 PM |
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having a woman say that was great let's do it again NOW |
_________________
Yank My Doodle It's A Dandy |
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sbergman
StreetBeater
Joined: Sep 12, 2007
Posts: 2427
Status: Offline
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Dec 13, 2008 - 01:49 PM |
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SnappySammy
Board Buddha
Joined: Nov 01, 2007
Posts: 14932
Status: Offline
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Dec 15, 2008 - 08:42 AM |
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Now that really is an Unexpected Pleasure... |
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Yank My Doodle It's A Dandy |
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seanryan471
Reacher
Joined: Aug 08, 2008
Posts: 307
Status: Offline
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Jan 16, 2009 - 12:22 AM |
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I've read this thread three or four times since being here. I've always wanted to post something, but nothing ever came to mind.
Today, my company had a Chinese New Year Celebration. Probably 350-400 people, 95% or more Chinese. It was great fun. It was my first such observance of a gathering of such a large number of Chinese. The performances and shows to entertain the crowd were very Chinese. The kind of stuff that made me laugh like Phillip Seymour Hoffman in Along Came Polly during Alec Baldwin's wedding speech (check it out and think of me if you haven't seen it). But, that's not the point.
At the end of the night, they held an auction to benefit charities around China. Real, legit, let's help the people who need it charities. They were selling paintings done by children of employees. Think crayons and sunshine shown with straight yellow lines. As the auction is beginning, the auctioneer tells everyone there is no minimum bid, but the bid increments will go up by... I thought he was going to say 5 RMB. He said 100 kwai! My mental monologue says, "He'll be lucky to get a single bid."
The bidding begins and people are going nuts. The first "painting" gets up to over 1,000 RMB in less than 30 seconds.... and it keeps going. There are people who are outbidding the lao wei CFO who probably makes at least 10 times what they make (and they know he does) consistently. They bid, he bids, they bid, he bids, they bid. I think they sold 5 paintings or so. Not a single one went for less than 2,500 RMB. The top seller went for close to 5,000.
It truly was exciting, awe-inspiring, relieving. It was really nice. Brought me a little warmth on a cold winter night in Shanghai. |
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needles
Squeeker
Joined: Dec 27, 2008
Posts: 15
Location: a van down by the river
Status: Offline
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Apr 04, 2009 - 12:52 PM |
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i wear combat boots, hell, i live in them. my favorites are these old jungle boots.
once a year i have to have the soles re-glued on. i refuse to give them up. i've worn them all around the world. i even wear them with suits.
so i'm here and i notice the soles separating again, it freaks me out to be without them.
i find this little place on Loushanguan lu. tiny. the guy in there speaks no english of course, but there was nothing to say, he could see the problem. he took the boots, and neither of us said anything. he just gave me a ticket.
i went back to work, and my assistant showed me that the ticket said they would be ready in two days.
when i picked them up, he had not only re-glued them, he had actually sewed the sole back on also. replaced the laces, didn't polish them (which i was thankful for. i like them looking rough), changed the insoles, and would not take any money. i insisted repeatedly, but he refused. i was blown away! still not sure why he was so nice to me.
I have taken these boots in for repair in NYC, LA, Rio, Cayman Islands, etc., and half the time cobblers won't even re-glue them saying it would not work. I have always asked if they could be sewn, and everyone has said no to me.
i don't know how this guy did it, but leave it to the chinese to figure it out.
only here 6 months, and i have many stories like this.
mind blown! |
_________________
Chicken feet tastes like feet. |
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maneo
LoopKicker
Joined: May 12, 2007
Posts: 857
Location: neither here nor there
Status: Offline
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Apr 05, 2009 - 05:11 AM |
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^ Also had some shoes (my favorite running shoes) needing the soles to be reglued.
Tried to glue them myself, but the soles came off again.
Was directed to a lady down some alley not far from Xinzha Lu.
Next day, shoes were ready, soles glued and sewed for only 15 元.
Very unexpected. |
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SnappySammy
Board Buddha
Joined: Nov 01, 2007
Posts: 14932
Status: Offline
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May 06, 2009 - 09:16 PM |
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| sbergman wrote: |
| Let's do it again NOW |
Lady Bergie..where did you go.. |
_________________
Yank My Doodle It's A Dandy |
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hitmen
Lurker
Joined: May 30, 2009
Posts: 39
Status: Offline
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June 08, 2009 - 01:39 PM |
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| sbergman wrote: |
| People were nicer in 1990 but it was so hard to make Chinese friends. Every time you started to get close to someone they'd get a "friendly" visit from the PSB. I remember having the definite sense that the wall and guard around my living quarters was to keep me in rather than keeping anyone out. On the other hand, most of the expats who were here had a genuine interest in China and we all seemed to get along. |
Can anyone elaborate about the PSB coming to your house? Why will they want to do that? |
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