Comments | torakiyoshi: Survival in Harbin: A First-Impressions Guide to North Chinese Culture Shock, Episode 6: Money

torakiyoshi

Survival in Harbin: A First-Impressions Guide to North Chinese Culture Shock, Episode 6: Money

Jan 13, 2018 08:16

This is attempt number two to post this entry... I had started it the other night when the computer blipped and I lost the whole thing. I hope I can do it as well again; I was quite proud of what I had already written.So there are a few more entries that I want to write for this particular blog. I've been here for two months, and I feel familiar ( Read more... )

china, first-impressions, money

Comments 6

makovette January 13 2018, 06:05:27 UTC

Lovely post TK, thanks!

This confuses me though:

"fines for driving an electric moped in Beijing are set at 50元"

Why is that a fine-able offense, runs counter to being "green" doesn't it????

CYa!
Mako

thewayne January 14 2018, 21:02:06 UTC

Same question about the electric moped in Beijing.

Very interesting post. I knew about the WeChat thing from my friend having visited there a few months ago. I didn't know how difficult it was for a resident foreigner to get integrated in to it, though.

torakiyoshi January 17 2018, 03:10:49 UTC

Answered the question direct to Mako, elsewhere in the comments.

English WeChat doesn't even have Wallet. We can add it as a glitch... when someone offers us some money, we can then use that offering to download the Wallet portion of the app. If you just download WeChat from the US, you won't be able to access it.

China really doesn't want its RMB going overseas. I can send money to the US, but not as much as if I were Chinese. Foreigners can get native-level privileges with a Type D visa, but those are extremely difficult to get. I have a "permanent" (read: two years) Work Permit based off of a Type Z visa, which only allows me to work at certified locations for which I am qualified, and will not allow me to get a Chinese ID. But AliPay (the software behind WeChat Wallet) will not function for overseas money transfers without a Chinese ID, so you see, I'm back to square one.

Still, when I'm home, I'm going to try to set my mom up with WeChat pay and see if we can make something work.

torakiyoshi January 17 2018, 02:57:08 UTC

Glad you enjoyed it!

And yes, it is contrary to the green initiative, but in this case, it's a safety issue. Both Beijing and Shanghai have determined that, in their traffic, it's not safe for riders to be using electric mopeds. It has to do with their stopping distance and control, which is significantly worse than a heavier, gas-powered variant. I've seen a few electrics waste out on the ice here in Harbin, but they're not yet illegal here.

Besides, if you do the math, 50元 isn't even US$10, so most people just pay the fine and go on their way. There's always a risk of impounding, but that's rare. And even with the threat of it, you can grease the cop and go on your way, too.

Hi anonymous January 14 2018, 21:29:10 UTC

I am finding your blog fascinating. I admire you for taking on this challenge to enrich your life. It is incredible what you have learned abour your new culture in only two months. Survival mode! We saw picture on TV of the Ice Festival in Shanyang. Beautiful. I need to look up the location of this city to see if it is near you. It is smart of you to have another outlet (Kendo) to integrate into the community. All is well here. I won’t tell you what the temperature has been here because you would be envious. We have seen you Dad a couple of times the last month. He seemed in better spirits the last time he was here. He has an appointment with a Kidney Specialist Feb 1st. Maybe his condition won’t be as alarming after consulting with him. What topics are you covering in your history class? Would love to see you school and studennts. How many students do you have? It would be fun to see where you live, too. Take care, stay warm and enjoy the moments.

Love, Aunt Carolyn

RE: Hi torakiyoshi January 17 2018, 03:04:27 UTC

Shenyang is the capital of Liaoning Province. It's on the coast due south of Heilongjiang, and really, Shenyang is the closest thing to the next major city for us. If I'm not mistaken, our closest kendo neighbors are there, and they're about three hours' drive from Harbin.

Interestingly, I'm not teaching history; I'm teaching an English class called "Foundations" to the first years - but it's all Australian grammar and dialogue (and not one of our teachers is Australian, nor do any of our students intend to study in Oz) so we spend a lot of time reteaching them for American grammar - and general science level II. Next semester I'll be teaching writing and general science level III. In science II, I just introduced them to Chemistry with electron bonding, and Physics with Newton's Three Laws.

The next blog entry will be about school. If I can get on the grounds during Winter Holidays, I'll try to get some nice pictures of the campus. I have a few simple shots with my phone, but I want to get some high quality photos with my camera.