Life in China | Dominik Mayer – Products, Asia, Productivity
In 2008 and 2009 I spent 1.5 years studying Chinese at Tongji University in Shanghai. This is my way to China, these are my experiences in Shanghai.
I arrive in China on page 15.
Electric Chair
A friend is on the phone. She found a doctor with an “electric chair” that can “heal my sick”. She tried to sit on it and it is “very comfortable” and “a very good chair”. It can “clean our blood”. And it is free.
When you sit on the chair you have “no other feelings”. Today she saw “many, many people sit on the chair, they all say it is very comfortable.” The doctor is in a hospital but “this chair not in a hospital”, outside the hospital in something “like a store”.
“The doctor says it is good for our health and will heal your sick”. I’ll give it a try.
Wedding Pictures
Opposite to the International Students Building:
Pimp My Bike
A friend with his “new” bike. His language partner had bought it for 50 Yuan (about 4,50 Euro) and will lend it to him until he leaves.
Ouwen and I had pimped our bikes earlier. In our case it was only the missing air in the tires, this bike needed more care.
Luckily the man near the International Students Building has everything and can fix everything.
The chef of the two restaurants above the dining hall inside the International Students Building and a security guard. The chef has been living in Germany for several years and called the other one “Gestapo” in joke.
One hour and 80 Yuan later.
How to Become a Movie Star
Hi,
I think I forget something. Some of my friends are major in director (making films) and they need a foreign actor.I think you are the best for the role!Are you willing to come and help them with the short film?
A: One day a foreigner received a postcard from his friend and told him to find some treasure in the old cinemas
… So he visited these cinemas and know many different stories but didn’t find any treasure, finally he found the really treasure was this trip
B: but you don’t tell me that I am that foreigner, right?
… I just play someone who says “hello” or something and that’s it
A: of cours ure the foreigner
B: aaaaaah
… but I am a very, very, very bad actor
A: They’ll tell you how to act, take it easy
[…]
A: actually it will be on the TV
B: whaaaat?
… which tv?
… tongji=
… ?
… shanghai?
… china?
… aaaaaah
A: Shanghai Educational Channel
B: na halleluja
I’m B…
First Time KTV
KTV is very popular here and one of the things I wanted to try since I arrived. We finally decided to go but didn’t know where. After hours we chose Partyworld in Fuxing Park.
We paid 824 Yuan (about 75 Euro without food and drinks) for more than four hours.
The Asians seem to be naturals. The three Koreans were fabulous, the four Chinese also very good and we three Germans… Ah mei. In our defense: We couldn’t sing in our mother tongue but I doubt that German songs would have made any difference.
The terminal allowed to adjust the volume of the music and the two microphones, toggle the singer on the video on or off, call for the waiter, add songs to the queue and so on. There were also two smaller panels in the wall so it’s possible to jump to the next song without having to stand up.
(Thanks to Ouwen for pictures 4 and 7.)
Just Around the Corner
Old and new. The World Financial Center.
I think my house is the second one on the right. (Update: Ok, it’s not.)
Just a Little Bit
My vegetarian food didn’t even comply with the Chinese definition as I could spot the meat easily. The waitress said it’s just “a little bit” but they finally cooked the dish again.
Mifan. I could eat tons. And I begin to understand why Chinese like it that much.
Waitresses standing around. As all Chinese restaurants this one also had personnel en masse.
The 3 Kingdom Restaurant
The upper thing was also yellow, I have no idea why it’s green on the pictures.
Every table has its own fume hood and barbecue grill.
So many people are running around in the restaurants but no one takes care of your clothes. You always have to put them over your chair. I did it and then someone came and put this thing over my coat to “protect” it. Weird.
Free appetizers.
Gou rou, dog meat. No one wanted to order it and I only eat dogs when I can kill them myself. :-P
A waitress cooked the vegetables at another table, away from the meat.
The barbecue was changed very often. The waitresses came with a new one, put the meat on it and took the used one away.
Korean cutting the meat.
You eat the things wrapped in a lettuce leaf.
No idea why our Koren friend poured her tea in her rice.
Dessert
Air conditioning with jet engine
Cleaning
Hongkou Night
Women Hospital
My barber’s. We think the sign says they will reopen on April 30th.
As usual: We know many characters but have no clue about their meaning in combination.
My street.
The house on the other side.
For They Know Not What They Do
Ok, better than this.
Match your bedding to your dress. Or the other way round.
Better than living food.
Wood and Food
We just said we want something without meat and something with. I always said yes when the man, seemed to be the owner, asked about tofu, corn, etc. as I eat all of them. I never intended to order all the things… A great deal too much food for two persons and not as cheap as it could have been. But very delicious.
Rainbow City Lifestyle Mall
Watch the video here.
The only thing I bought. Very useful. And only 32 Yuan (+ 2,90 Yuan for the bulb).