Mad About Shanghai

Happy Lunar New Year 2012 !

Lunar New Year is the biggest festival in the Chinese calendar.

The good thing about being Chinese in ethnicity is that Chinese gets to celebrate new year twice ! Once on the first day of January and the other on Lunar New Year.

Every year, about a month before the actual day, the largest human migration exercise in the world takes place, as millions and millions of migrant workers, children studying overseas, sons and daughters that have relocated out of the town where their parents stay, makes it a point to come home for the reunion dinner the night before the Lunar New Year starts.

To be exact, the estimated number of people participating in the rush home is estimated to be around 140 million! Or about the population size of Russia !

Rain,snow, overcrowding, pushing and shoving are not going to deter most from going back home to have the reunion dinner. To many, home is a place where they seek consolation and rest from the weariness of work, fighting it out in the big city or the unfamilarity of a new country.

This is does not happen only in China but also in countries where there are Chinese . To name a few more: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore etc.

Then of course, we also have another group of people who either stay with their family or very close that long trips back home are not necessary. Nonetheless, they are also just as happy to be close to their loved ones, feasting and laughing. These are just some of the little things in life that money cannot buy.

I find it so apt that the most distinct values of the Chinese culture, family and filial piety are expressed in the biggest festival on the Chinese calendar.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, most would spend the day visiting relatives and friends or hosting them. Children love this festival as the Lunar New Year to them, means lots of delicacies, celebration and red packets (红包 - red envelopes with money inside as pocket money for them)

So, how what are your Lunar New Year plans ?

I wish all my readers 新春愉快! 吉祥如意! 心想事成！

                             

Remnant Pavilions from World Expo 2010

If you missed the World Expo in 2010 and you intend to visit Shanghai, do you know that you still can have a taste and glimpse of the Expo?

Yes. Some pavilions from the World Expo held in Shanghai in 2010 has not been dismantled yet. Even the official gift shop there is still open for business. If you would like to take some pictures of the pavilions itself, you still can go there though most of the interior exhibits have been removed. For example, the China Pavilion is still there and serves as a exhibition center and other events.

Some time back, Regine and myself went there to have a look and toured the Picasso Exhibition held at the China Pavilion. The immediate thought that struck me was the irony. Italian masterpieces being displayed in a pavilion that is suppose to represent the best of China? It was just like the first time I went to the Forbidden City in Beijing. Some of the exhibit and national treasures were proudly displayed as "Exhibit sponsored by American Express ".  Anyway, that is a separate thought all together.

The moment we got out of the metro station, we were swarmed with touts asking us to buy expo memorabilia, fully stamped expo passports and cheaper tickets to the exhibit.

One tout followed us for a good one hundred yards. Another offered a fully stamped Expo passport for only RM10. Despite their eagerness to close the sale, we ignored them and bought the tickets from the booth.

Sorry, no photos of the Picasso exhibit as we are not allowed to take pictures inside. However, I managed to see a few people standing in front of the masterpieces and copying/drawing the same thing. One of them was quite and elderly lady and she probably did it out of interest, what she close was really close to the real thing!

Overall, I would say it is a fairly good day trip. A place I would recommend still for all the shutterbugs out there.

Shanghai is the 8th most expensive city in Asia

These are the latest survey results released by ECA International on the cost of living in Asia.

The most expensive cities in Asia are:

1) Tokyo

2) Nagoya

3) Yokohama

4) Kobe

5) Seoul

6) Singapore

7) Beijing

8) Shanghai

9) Hong Kong

10) Busan

You can read more about it here.

Glowing Pork

Recently, there was a pork scare in Shanghai.

This is how the story goes:

A woman bought some pork to make dumplings. In the middle of the night, she woke up to use the bathroom and noticed a glow in the kitchen. On closer inspection, she realised the glow was emitted from the pork she bought earlier.

Shanghai Health Supervision Department food experts say the pork has been contaminated by phosphorescent bacteria. The pork is still safe to consume after cooking and heating.

In case you have not come across the news, dont be alarmed when you see glowing pork in your kitchen next time... Or are you skeptical ? 

Number of Expats in China

Ever wondered how many expats are there in China?

Ans: About 593,000*

*As of May 2011

 

Top 10 Chinese Cities Voted by Foreign Participants

In an online poll (http://vote.chinajob.com/) organised by International Talent Magazine, these are the top ten cities voted by 179,000 foreign participants based on living/working environment and aspects of entrepreneurship:

Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Qingdao, Xiamen, Yantai and Wuhu

Another ten cities were norminated:

Nanjing, Wuhan, Guilin, Sanya, Chendu, Changchun, Changsha, Lanzhou, Dali and Nanning

Fa Piao

If you are new or first time in China, while dining in some restaurants, sometimes, you would asked if you wanted "Fa Piao".

Well, don't be puzzled. Fa Piao simply means tax receipts and comes in denominations of CNY 01, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100. They back up the basic receipts which the Chinese tax authorities think could be easily forged. They are create to deter tax evasion as businesses need to pay taxes every time they issue one. Needless to say, some business would not issue them to you unless you ask for it.

Well, for some people, especially tourists would not request for it. For those that are not tourists, these Fa Piao are sometimes needed for tax deductions, allowances top up by companies and even as proof of property tax paid. 

So do you want a Fa Piao?

Most Expensive Cities in Asia

Here is the latest release from ECA International:

1) Tokyo

2) Nagoya

3) Yokohama

4) Kobe

5) Seoul

6) Hong Kong

7) Shanghai

8) Singapore

9) Beijing

10) Busan

Top Jobs for Non-Mandarin Speaking Foreigners in China

I think this is one of the most common questions around.

If you would like to work in Shanghai or China, doesn't speak a word of Mandarin and willing to accept the pay compromise, here are a few jobs you can start with till you establish the relevant contacts:

-Embassy jobs

-Teacher

-Consultancy

-Child care

-Design work

-Music related jobs

Happy job hunting !

PS: Anyone have any more to add?

Relocation With Children: Surviving Culture Shock

Thanks to a revitalized economy, Shanghai has moved to the forefront of the Eastern marketplace, and will soon hold a starring role on the global scene.  Not surprisingly, foreign businessmen and businesswomen are being recruited and subsequently relocated to Shanghaiís bustling metro areas.  

With many monetary perks attached to relocation, itís not surprising that many new foreign employees bring their families with them.  Families with children face a unique set of challenges helping their child(ren) integrate into a new culture and environment. Here are a few tips to make the transition easier:

1. Make the most of your schooling options.

Many employers offer relocating employees financial incentives to help defray the cost of enrolling their child in a private school that caters to foreign families.  These schools range from preschool level to 12th grade and can be quite expensive. 

Families that donít receive special funding for private schools or that want to give their child the advantage of being bi-lingual often enroll their children in the local Chinese schools or special private schools that teach half the classes in Mandarin and the other in English or French.  By attending these schools, young children quickly pick up a second language and they learn about a new culture. 

2. Join local expatriate childrenís groups.

There is a large expatriate community with numerous families from various European and English-speaking countries. Within these communities, activities are often organized for children.  American and European holiday celebrations are popular and will help children feel more at home in a new country.  During the summer months, many expatriate organizations schedule inexpensive child-friendly activities for all age groups. 

3. Enjoy low-cost after school and pre-K care.

The cost of a full time nanny is very low in Shanghai, and most families opt for this option instead of daycare.  Some of the English speaking schools start preschool at 18 months of age, much earlier than standard American preschool classes.  Traditional Chinese schools donít start preschool programs until children are 4 years old. 

4. Create new traditions.

The more time you spend in Shanghai, the more your children will naturally integrate themselves into the culture surrounding them.  If they attend a Chinese school, you might soon find yourself learning about Chinese culture from your own children.  Enjoying the experience of learning about a new culture can bring your family closer and make for good memories. 

A guest blog contribution by Alexis Bonari

Bio: Alexis Bonari is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident education blogger and performs research surrounding College Scholarships. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.