Me Ol' China, 27th week in the land of the Dragon

It happens, in fast growing economies that people take part in the rat race to get more than they really need. While this is widely accepted in Western societies, the same is not fully acceptable in other parts of the globe. The fact that family and traditional values have great importance for some, however, creates opportunities for those that do nor know what to do of these traditions, especially if the traditions are seen as a way of stopping people living in misery to get out of it and aspire to a better standard of living.

There are many Chinese that are taking part in the rat race and I had the opportunity of meeting a few of them. Realtors, pimps, prostitutes, shop owners, chefs, artists, freelancing journalist, crooks and desperate people; all taking part to the race to get rich and richer.

I know some people that do not understand why money is so important for some and questioning the power of money when it comes to happiness.

Here in China, like in Eastern Europe a dozen years ago, people who are willing to kill for success (and money) is on the increase and those who want everything and soon is an now an army. The sky is the limit for these inflated egos and they seem not realize that dignity is worth more than any sum of money.

I met a pimp. I asked this person to release a sort of interview that I would have published on this Mickey Mouse blog. The answer was positive but when she read the document I was going to publish here, she denied the permission because it felt like reading about someone that she wouldn’t like to meet. She was ashamed about herself. Ashamed of the business she is in, ashamed about the cynicism that she showed in the interview and, even more, the fact that she is not the way she portray herself. She still would like a family of her own and she would never accept her husband going with young chicks paying for their bodies.

I thought that it was a pity and I do not think that the interview and my comments will push her to change lifestyle but I respect her wish and I will not publish it but, for sure I will tell a bit of her story as soon as I can find some time to dedicate to it. Unfortunately these days I am very very busy.

The Prostitute. A sweet young lady looking for friends not to feel too lonely between a client and another. A 24 years old lady that pleases Westerners with a fat wallet. A young lady that sees nothing wrong in going to bed with someone to make enough money to buy her clothes shop. Selling your body for a shop seems ridiculous to me but for those who have no other way to make their dreams come true, like those starlet sleeping with the politicians to get popularity, there is nothing wrong and your ego is humiliated even more if you don't try anything to get what you want most. Of course, my objection is the usual one: easy money. The hedonistic principle at its top: great income with little effort.

The realtor. He pretends to be the nice guy he will never be. He deals only with Big Noses and only for apartments worth more than 15K RMB a month rental. He doesn’t get any percentage from the foreigner, only one month rent from the landlord. How good of him. Well… Let’s see the true thing rewriting what I just wrote with the right words and figures. He deals only with Big Noses and only for apartments worth less than 10K RMB a month and rented for at least 15K RMB a month. He doesn’t get any percentage from the foreigner, only one month rent from the landlord plus 50% of the difference between the landlord expected rate and the one the Big nose pays. That’s more it… The example? Apartment worth 8K unfurnished. Furnished at Realtor expense with 3K RMB and rented for 14K. This means, for one year he will get 3,000 x 12 and one month rental. 44K RMB that over here is a huge amount of money. But Big Noses love him! .

Beware of the artists over here! This is a warning signal for all those who are coming to Beijing for the Olympics. You will find many young or not so young artists offering to show you around the malls in exchange of practicing a bit of English. The offer is acceptable and they will be really pleasant. At a certain point, once the trust has been conquered, they will invite you either to a tea ceremony or to view their or their relative’s art shop, where you will be fucked great times spending a few thousand yuan for some cheap tea ceremony or end up buying some crusts…

Chefs. How about a nice Chinese cooking class? Perfect! Be careful. You will end up in someone’s house and you will learn how to cook and end up buying some spices and ingredients which are not only bad for your health but you will pay a fortune for them!

There are many many more cases of crooks but, the truth is that, as I mentioned at the beginning, people are literally crazy for money and to get rich at the point that they forget values.

Read the ad below, which I find rather sad and amusing:

I am doing quite well with my business. at same time i've missed sth important in my private life.
Seeking obedient guy for taking care of babies & marriage.Hope u is handsome & obedient with the age under 36. u should trate me like a queen. Or i'd let u out if forget this someday.
No Asian, african, Latin, muslim, thx.

One of the nicest areas in Beijing is Houhai and going through a Properties advert site I read this funny one:

do you want to enjoy old beijing culture ,and it is near to Houhai ,it is not good apartment ,but it is better than apartment ,and coputer can be on line, and china ,nice bed,and airmachine ,
and it is near to HOUHAI,very great ,nice place,you can see bar,and coffe street, and the transportations is convenient, and you can see HOUHAI. sea,and play on the sea ,and park ,
you are interesting you can call mrs tong old gentleman in chinese 130xxxxxxxxx ,he is owner
or you can call me melissa
you can speak english
welcome you long time or short time its up to you

funny innit?

This week, Me Old Chinas, has been really stressful. The weather is still very odd and I am getting closer and closer to leave this country. I feel rather sad at the idea but sometimes the heart has to subdue to the mind’s orders. I think the chances I will stay in Beijing are slimmer than ever and I might take a decision by the beginning of August. Olympics are nearly here and the attacks versus China are increasing day by day on foreign TV’s. Chinese are really saddened by this as all reportages tend to show all the oddest and saddest aspects of this country. Seems like Beijing 2008 has marked the year China will get hammered by foreigners. It reminds me of a group of friends picking at the most reserved one to show off. This sort of bully attitude is pissing me off great times. China should ha ve been isolated after Tian an Men and not these days. Fucking hypocrites are all filing their nails when all the eyes of the world are pointed on the Games…

My daughter is enjoying Beijing a lot and she loves people. She looks at everything around us with the same eyes I see it: enthusiastic and naïve. While my wife is enigmatic, difficult to understand. Not that I expect to understand my wife or any other woman on this planet but, once again, I do not think that she would be happy if she would move over here. And, of course, her unhappiness will coincide with the start of mine so, I guess, leaving China is not only something that is due to business but to the fact that if I have to live here with someone unhappy, I rather stay alone but if the choice is here together or somewhere else together, I feel that it’s better to move, perhaps back to Europe.

Last week Acrobatic show at the Poly Theatre is the best Acrobatic show I have ever seen. 160 minutes of pure entertainment with 40 to 60 artists performing live on stage. A huge stage, a beautiful production with lights, sounds and athletic capacities that are unmatchable at that price. If you come to China, book a ticket. The show will be on during the Olympics and you cannot miss it!

This weekend we are at the sea, Nandaihe. 250 kms from Beijing in the Hebei province. I have been invited by a friend and we have taken off with a coach with 33 people, all friends, for my first mini vacation since I arrived in Beijing. This location, and the close Beidaihe, is very popular amongst rich Beijingers and Russians. Most of the Communist Party officials come here on holidays and Chairman Mao was one of those who used to spend his vacations in this nice resort. According to some Chinese, this place is highly over rated and reminds a bit of England’s Brighton. Well, I found Brighton pretty nice and the same with Beidaihe so, no problem at all. I will talk about this weekend in next week’s blog.

I have been asked by some friends to write about do’s and don’t’s in Beijing.

I was thinking of what to write but I guess that the advices are the usual ones you give to someone travelling to any other country where you do not speak the language. Be nice but not stupid, be corteous but do not look silly, be tough when someone bothers you, but don’t be rude. Do not show wealth around, do not accept freebies and tend to stay in areas where you see some Westerners around. Foodwise tend to eat in proper restaurants and if you need a barber or a hairdresser go t othose in the shopping malls or on high streets. Chinese people are friendly and nice but this doesn’t mean that they all are. So, stick to your own kind and adventure yourselves in Hutongs that are not too shanty…

What will annoy you about Beijing?
Spitting, drivers, pushy salespeople in malls, tofu smell, beggars in some areas.