I wanted to share some personal news with you, but first, I apologize for having neglected this blog for much of 2010.  I wanted to thank fellow blogger Baoru (aka Katherine Tanyu) for publishing some great content on the World Expo and I appreciate her keeping the blog alive while she was in Shanghai in 2010.

I just accepted an offer to join Google as head of product management, based in Beijing.  I wrote about this on my personal blog, and since no one even knows about that blog, I’ll excerpt from it liberally here:

In this role, I’ll be leading a small, very-talented team of product managers who are doing two things: (1) launching products and supporting global R&D projects focused on Google’s global markets, and (2) driving a product roadmap serving the domestic Chinese market.  I’ll be commuting to China from Mountain View until June or July, at which point my wife, our 3 boys, and some subset of our accumulated “stuff” will lift off from our home near Mountain View and land in a new home somewhere in Beijing.  In the meantime, I’ll have plenty of time to rack up frequent flier miles, become “Googly” (aka programmed in the Google global culture) and build important relationships in the global R&D organization at Google which is Mountain-View centric.

If you’re reading this post, you probably already know that I think China is “one of the biggest stories of our time.”  Like most of you, I also firmly believe that when the history of our period is written, the internet will be another one of the biggest stories of our time.  In this role, I’m excited about the chance to play my part in both of these stories at the same time.

In many ways, I can’t think of a better vantage point to contribute to China’s development and to contribute to the development of the internet.  And because the role is intensely cross-border and global in nature, it is something that plays to my strengths as a foreigner.

I also shared about the loss of the naive enthusiasm I once had about all things related to China back at the very beginning…

But during the past 5 years, I’ve come to appreciate an apt characterization of China made by James L. McGregor (now on Twitter), former Wall Street Journal bureau chief and Dow Jones China chief executive, who called China “the world’s greatest startup” and “the world’s greatest turnaround.”  I now try to understand everything in China in terms of these two faces–or aspects–of China.

Just about one year ago, Google announced it’s new approach to Chinawhich some later characterized as “the pullout.”  Some others have characterized 2010 as a “bitter winter” for the Chinese internet overall.  In fact, according to the saying “guo jin, min tui” the rest of Chinese entrepreneurs and non-state owned businesses also faced a bitter winter of challenges in 2010.  Even Jeffrey Immelt went off script to express his frustration.

So I’ll seek to recapture and use the energy that comes through youthful optimism…while keeping a realistic eye toward the situation at all times.

A little bit more about joining Google China at original post.

So what does this mean for the ol’ CNReviews?  I’m not sure.   I expect the job to be pretty demanding from a time standpoint, especially given the heavy travel required between Mountain View, CA; Beijing, Shanghai, and Taipei.  But I know I’ll be needing a place to write about life, people, and business in China and I can think of no better place than here.

I’ll be thinking about how to resume blogging on CNReviews with a narrower focus and with a mission that gets me posting more often!  Your thoughts and advice about what to write about on CNReviews is welcome.

photo: CC courtesy of veen on flickr.

Hong Kong

Review: In HK, when you do not have a job, you can’t eat so to speak (手停口就停). Everyone is into investing. Artists need to work, and do not dare fall in love nor take a rest. Moonlighting is very common. Fast news or tabloids sell.

TV: A lot of housewives spend their time watching television. ATV (Asian Television Limited) and TVB (Television Broadcasts Limited) are favorite channels. But everyone is so busy that they only have time to listen to the radio. Because of this, this city has only up to 13 channels.

Fast foods: Hong Kong is the Chinese city with the widest variety of Western fast foods. McDonald’s advertises throughout the year.

Walking speed: The city is not called a dynamic city for nothing. At the turn of the green light, one can immediately hear the surge of motorists. And at every intersection, there is always a group of people waiting to charge.

Alcohol consumption: Besides Lan Kwai Fong, the tables in Hong Kong do not really have alcohol. It’s actually more of malt.

Hong Kong

Daily schedule: Work hours are from 9am to 5pm, but OT is a favorite mantra among the Hongkongese. There are 2.3M passengers using the subway daily from 6am to midnight. At this rate, the night club is also crowded.

What are the streets like during work time: Hong Kong ranks second in Asia as the most work-efficient city with little or no workers leisurely strolling the streets during work time. Majority of those who shop are actually mainland tourists. During this year’s Chinese New Year Festival, the mainland tourists alone brought RMB 270,000,000 income.

Job-hopping frequency: The civil servants do not quit their jobs. As for the private citizens, they change careers anytime due to the economic boom, job layoffs, and salary issues. Around 30% youngsters (aged 18 to 24) become entrepreneurs at those ages.

Fitness: They rarely exercise with more and more having eye and digestive system problems.

Telephone: When they do have time to chat, they talk more or less about work every time.

Love: The number of couples getting married is getting lower. The divorce rate is getting higher. The number of single parents have increased by 7% as compared to ten years ago. The trend is that the women wants to live in together with their partners. The guys want to get married. Go-Con is very popular. It’s a Japanese dating culture where men and women mingle in single parties.

Suzhou

Review: First in the country to attract foreign investors–through its number of human capital. It is also becoming the world’s factory shaking the positions of Dongguan and Shenzhen. Suzhou is also a tourist destination. It is because of the people working that the city is developing. Many of the workers are paid using piece-rate wages.

TV: People here watch a lot of TV. It’s like their emotional nourishment.

Fast foods: A lot. But there are more factory canteens.

Walking speed: Some people say that Suzhou is like a frame on wheels. There are two kinds of Suzhou: the industrial Suzhou and the classical Suzhou. The former is in a hurry, while the latter is graceful.

Alcohol consumption: Low. Shiquan Street‘s wine is no match for Suzhou’s (水天堂) tea.

Suzhou

Daily schedule: Conservative time-table. Model for proper rest and work time. Their policy is to have enough rest to go back to work.

What are the streets like during work time: Many people are concentrated on Guanqian Street and Renmin Road. They are mostly tourists from Hong Kong. The locals do not wish to be 168 (The laid-off workers in Suzhou are given renumeration wages of RMB 168, but it has since increased.).

Job-hopping frequency: Generally because Suzhou has an export-oriented economy, business is more or less good. No reason for workers to change jobs.

Fitness: There is still room for exercise. Some buy gym memberships, while others treat their manual labor as exercise already.

Telephone: Busy. They use the telephone for entertainment and as a way to interact with each other.

Love: The business of matchmaking is good here. The wedding photography industry is also developed. Marriage is busy. Either they get married and start a career or start a career and get married.

Shenzhen

Review: People are getting busier and busier. Quite a lot of people choose to open their own shop, company, or studio.

TV: Not a lot, because of the abundant night life. For those who still want to watch television, they have one channel that talks about business and investments, two channels if you want to learn Cantonese, and finally three channels for simply relaxation.

Fast foods: There seems to be a fast food “invasion”. There is even a fast food internet network in Shenzhen.

Walking speed: Before, it was fast. But now it is considered slow due to the crowded streets. People are impatient–cannot tolerate those walking slowly.

Alcohol consumption: High. Shenzhen is where the Northerners and Southerners converge. The Northerners can drink. The Southerners dare to drink.

Shenzhen

Daily schedule: Similar to Hong Kong. But the night life takes a lot of sleeping time. In fact, the people in this city lack sleep.

What are the streets like during work time: Populated, because work is everywhere.

Job-hopping frequency: High, because there are a lot of work opportunities.

Fitness: The use of a private car to go everywhere has increased. Concern for individual fitness has become sparse.

Telephone: Talking on the phone is a common sighting in the streets. It has become a necessary channel especially for work.

Taipei

Review: During the height of the economic boom, everyone is suddenly eager to look for work. The working class feels a lot of pressure. Travel is considered a form of escape.

TV: Many Taipei locals love watching television, maybe it is because there are a lot of entertainment gossip. They enjoy watching the antics of the indispensable variety show hosts Chang Hsiao-yen, Chang Fei, Hu Kua, and Jacky Wu.

Fast foods: Many but most are considered “slow” foods or the everyday type of meals. The ones sold in the night market are notable also.

Walking speed: Generally fast paced. An analysis of the people using the Taipei metro daily says that on average, 60 to 80 people walk past the ticket gate per minute.

Alcohol consumption: High.

Taipei

Daily schedule: Half of the population works from 9am to 5pm. The other half works from 5am to 9pm.

What are the streets like during work time: Taipei is always very populated.

Job-hopping frequency: High. Whenever there is a new book released on motivation and the workplace, there seems to be a spike on people looking for jobs.

Fitness: Not so much. Because work and play really stresses out the body.

Telephone: It’s stuck to their ears for 24 hours. Using the telephone equates to socializing.

Love: Falling in love is treated seriously, whereas marriage is treated lightly. It’s more of looking for romance and a new kind of feeling and experience.

Guangzhou

Review: Changes bring more jobs in Guangzhou. Property prices are so high, oftentimes you have to “tiptoe” to reach it (form of expression to mean really, really high). You feel free, no one cares about your personal affairs, each person’s life is very busy. When you don’t feel free, because you worry about going to work and the traffic jam, you think about being your own boss.

TV: Not so much, because many people have to work overtime. But Guangzhou is developed when it comes to print media. So there are lots of newspapers to read everyday.

Fast foods: Many. These basically cater to two extremes, the shantytown crowd and the white-collar workers.

Walking speed: Slow, because there is no good walking space. Most take the taxi or metro.

Alcohol consumption: Low

Guangzhou

Daily schedule: Conservative schedule, but fairly diversified. In fact, many sleep and wake up late.

What are the streets like during work time: Busy. Most of the idlers are SOHO (small office home office), students, or those who have no work and/or looking for work.

Job-hopping frequency: High. Because there are always new companies recruiting people. Jobs are oftentimes better-paying.

Fitness: Lessened. This is a city which has no time for exercise. But those exercising near the Pearl River are mostly the elderly.

Telephone: Used for working and making appointments.

Shanghai

Review: The catchphrase of this city is internationalism. Many go to Shanghai to work and “pan for gold”. Working is number 1, whereas spending is number 2. The people of this city are smart when it comes to making investments and buying luxury goods. But when it comes to buying property, their money seems to flow like water.

TV: Not so much, even the use of  internet and making phone calls. They read more newspapers and enjoy watching the world pass by.

Fast foods: A lot. The number of convenience stores is proportional to the growth of the city.

Walking speed: Fast. There are almost no idle people in the city. Mostly tourists and passersby.

Alcohol consumption: Low. The pursuit of this city is elegance rather than intoxication. Also, the hottest night spot is Xintiandi. The wine there is all foreign-flavored.

Shanghai

Schedule: They have a conservative time table. Work is considered important.

What are the streets like during work time: Populated. Except for Pudong, everywhere is a working area. The crowd in Nanjing Road would only disappear if there is torrential rain or a SARS epidemic.

Job-hopping frequency: High. The Shanghainese are always looking for something better.

Fitness: Not so much. Shanghai has never been an exercise-kind of city. Much worse than Dongbei.

Telephone: Used for work and making appointments with people. Most of the time, email is used.

Love: They consider a lot of factors when it comes to marriage like the person’s hukou and background. Expectations are high. For example, their concept of a good man is if the man goes to the market at 4am to buy food.

The term “middle class” is relative per country. Recently, ADB released a report (Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2010) early this year and mentioned that China’s middle class is numbered at 817 million. The report defined the middle class as those consuming between USD 2 to 20 a day. The middle class is also divided into 3 levels: first class, second class, and third class. Within China’s middle class, 303 million are at the lower level. Once they experience a crisis, it is easy to go back to poverty level.

The concept of “middle class” is pretty broad. If you have a monthly salary of RMB 6,000, that is considered as middle-class salary. Salary is just one of the key indicators. Another is how you compare to the standard of living in Shanghai. Besides Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, Shanghai is probably the closest to being “international” in standards; so it could be the most accurate “middle-class” benchmark. Otherwise, how come many expatriates identify with Shanghai?

Life as a slave–the “middle-class” dream

They are the middle class. House slaves. Car slaves.

Beijing University of Technology and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences published a paper that talks about the social strata construction of people living in Beijing. At least in Beijing, the middle class is composed of more than 40% of the population, numbering around 5.4 million. Their average monthly salary is RMB 5,923.18.

This statistic received various responses: how do you say one is middle class?

China does not really have a generally accepted definition of “middle class”. One could take the average monthly salary of RMB 6,000 as a starting point. But the people who made the report may have their own criteria. I think the starting point is too low.

How the middle class is being “strangled”

China’s so-called middle class is saddled with lots of pressure: house, car, credit card, kids…the establishment of an olive-shaped society seems far-fetched. As mentioned, from the figures above, once the 303 million experience a crisis, they can easily go back to poverty level.

Owning a house

In order to pay for your dream home, you pay off the mortgage around RMB 7,000 monthly from your salary. The rest will go to your basic expenses. Have you saved anything?

In the Fourth Ring Road in Beijing, average price per square meter is RMB 35,000 to 40,000. In order to own at least a 100-square-meter space, one would need at the very least RMB 40,000 to 80,000 annual revenue. And one needs to work nearly 45 years.

This means that if you started working at 20, by the time you turn 60, you still can not afford to buy a small 100-square-meter space.

Daily increase of fuel prices

You make a one-time purchase of a really cheap car, but then the price of fuel is very volatile, increasing almost daily. Even the price for parking is tagged at RMB 15 per hour. You go out and watch a movie at a discounted rate of RMB 40. However, the money you saved you pay for the parking–RMB 45.

Kids’ basic expenses is more expensive than the adults’

As we all know, there are safety concerns with regards to the local products; so we have no choice but to buy imported ones. And of course we have the best hopes for our children, so scrimping on their education is unheard of.

The middle class have their own vanity. Some really insist on buying imported products. So the money you earn locally is spent on the more expensive goods from abroad.

Here are stories of some middle-class Chinese: I earn an annual income of RMB 200,000, but I am not happy at all.

Case No. 1

Because I have a family of my own, I also have my own house and car–make that 2 cars even. Though my annual income is RMB 200,000, life is not happy at all.

Our monthly income is totaled at less than RMB 20,000. Maintaining 2 cars costs RMB 4,000. Food, at the minimum, costs RMB 3,000. And then there are a lot of bills: water, electricity, gas, cable TV, telephone, internet–all of that amounts to around RMB 1,000. The kid’s allowance is RMB 2,000. When I eat and have fun with my friends, that is RMB 1,000 off my pocket. Repair of miscellaneous items that can break down, etc. is pegged at RMB 500. Caring for the elderly at home (because both parents are busy with work) costs RMB 2,000. What’s more, the a-yi’s salary is RMB 2,000. Total expenses is RMB 15,500, with RMB 4,000 remaining. That RMB 4,000 is then set for any unexpected expenses. For example, if the furniture is too old already and can not be repaired anymore, we have to buy new ones. From time to time, there are relatives who needs help financially, so they would “borrow” money from me. What else is left?

Case No. 2

This man was promoted from junior account manager to senior account manager. His annual salary also increased from RMB 4-50,000 to RMB 300,000. Just looking at the salary, he is considered “middle class” already. But it has been 8 years since his promotion and he is still living in a rented apartment in Pudong whom he just considers as a “nest”. “I do not know if you could say I am middle class. This kind of middle class–is this success or failure?”

Case No. 4

Wang Yan went to the United States for her PhD after graduation and worked in a litigation firm in Washington. Her husband (also a graduate student) decided to go back to Beijing, so Wang Yan followed as well. From an “American” lawyer, Wang Yan became a “Chinese” lawyer. Good educational background, decent work, and decent income–Wang Yan accurately depicted China’s “middle class”. But she could not help but laugh, “Me? Middle class? Middle class should at least own some assets. I do not even have a house. What ‘middle class’ are you talking about?”

Wang Yan continues, “In the United States, everyone is so afraid of unemployment. As long as you have work, you have financial security. In China, it definitely is not ok if you do not have work. However, if you have work, you are afraid to go to work due to fierce competition and endless overtime.”

Such is the life of the Chinese middle class. Agree or disagree?

So what does the future store for China in the next 40 years? Let’s see–

Prediction No. 2

Nation-state power around the globe will be increasingly “multi-polar” in terms of who wields it and where

• The economies of Brazil, China and India will become less US and EU centric.
• Foreign Direct Investments will shift toward developing economies.

Prediction No. 25

China will continue to position itself as a long-term economic power-player around the globe

• China teams with other emerging countries (Brazil, India and China) to influence currency utilization.
• China partners with other countries (Venezuela and Africa) to meet energy needs and to import a wide range of raw materials.

Former Foreign Prime Minister of Mexico Jorge Castañeda does not agree they are ready though, at least when he wrote his piece in the September/October issue of Foreign Affairs talking about China and the emerging countries joining the leadership of the global institutions.

At best, they are regional powers that pack a minuscule international punch; at worst they are neophytes whose participation in international institutions may undermine progress toward a stronger international legal order.

Prediction No. 37

China’s monopoly control of the world’s rare earth metals market will have a significant impact on US national security and the economy

• The seventeen elements that make up a group known as rare earth metals will remain critical to the performance of hundreds of products and technologies.
• The US will be reliant on China’s metals to produce such things as high-performance weapons components, internal guidance systems, microwave communications systems, radars, the motors and generators that power aircraft and ships, wind turbines, high-performance batteries, hybrid cars, superconductors, computer chips and digital displays.

This prediction is on a wait-and-see mode. Global Times reported early this month that China does not have monopoly over the rare earth reserves.

Among the world’s 88-million-ton known rare-earth deposits, China has about 36 million tons, hardly more than the combined deposits of the US (13 million tons) and Russia (19 million tons).

But over the years, due to the underregulated market in China, it supplies the world with close to 97 percent of the total market share. Japan, for example, depends solely on China for rare-earth minerals.

…with reports early on saying China blocked rare earth metal exports to Japan.

See anything new or trends moving towards the predictions? Considering the prognosis of the predictions before, they are not really that shocking.

If you are Chinese-American or have similar experiences, please share your views below.

After settling in the United States for quite some time, I have unconsciously adapted the local customs (like how they say, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”). Cultural differences have started to blur, and I do not think much about them anymore. After all, having lived in China for many years and now walking along American streets, I still get to see my parents from China who visit me. But after staying for a certain period, my parents would get lonely; as they do not know how to speak in English. They especially wish to chat with fellow Chinese. When I speak to them, I get snippets of information that one can not find in the Internet. Their observations to the American lifestyle remind me that cultural differences between living in China and the United States are, in fact, everywhere.

Glass Doors

When Dad and Mom came to the United States, they did not lack in praises for the house. Everyone has their own bedrooms; the kitchen has a big refrigerator; there is a front yard, a backyard, and garage; and there are many bathrooms–all convenient and comfortable. However, they were not used to the glass doors at the first floor. My mom, who is from southern China, is worried what if someone breaks open the glass doors. I would explain to her: in the last decade, there has been no such thing happening in this small district. And if someone does break-in, what would they steal? Everything is insured so the loss will not be that great. (The only steal-able item is the laptop, but it is not as if the contents are very important.)

Anyway, breaking-in is a serious crime in the United States. So there is not a lot of these people who are so desperate that they would break-in homes, especially in small cities. No matter how I explained it to her, she can not seem to be satisfied with my answer.

Large-Size Beverages

When I brought Dad and Mom to eat in the fast food joints, whether it be in McDonald’s or KFC, they see that refilling drinks is always for free. They do not really go to fast food joints–this concept of free refill is so new to them. They could not understand why Americans would still order the large-size drinks if they could refill their cups for free. The prices of medium and large drinks do not vary that much. But for the small cups, there is a cost difference of 39 to 49 cents (USD). Or maybe is that Americans are too lazy that they find refilling to be too bothersome? This is not quite right though. Fast food drinks are easily obtained outside the counter. You can get as many as you want. I have not really thought about this as I always get the free water whenever I eat at fast foods. I also do not ask other people about this.

A Chinese friend told me a story which might help me understand how Americans think. He and his American girlfriend ate at a restaurant. Girlfriend wants to drink English tea (which my Chinese friend has never tried before). He was curious, so he tried it and found out that adding milk and sugar to his tea is not bad tasting at all. Adding more water to tea is free of course. So he drank cupfuls more. His girlfriend find it embarrassing to explain to him that what he is doing is not exactly fair. If he wants to drink more tea, he should buy another cup. My friend’s observation is that there are Americans who take advantage of the free refills, but there are only a few of them.

Holiday Gift-giving

Gift-giving during holidays is very common in the United States. But Dad and Mom found out that gift-giving is not the same in China and the United States. They said, the gift-giving tradition here is that you give gifts to the people with low incomes such as the school bus drivers, the janitors, the office staff, etc. They do not give gifts to the ones in higher position. And the gifts are not on the expensive side, mostly gift certificates worth USD15-20 or a box of chocolates. Neighbors also exchange gifts like homemade cakes and USD10-bottle of wines.

I explained to them that gift-giving in the United States is done mostly to express thanks. The Chinese also have this saying, 礼轻情意重, meaning little gifts could have profound meanings. Anyway, why would you give gifts to those with higher salaries or higher position than you are? It would be weird, and they will likewise feel it to be unnatural. If you give gifts due to self-interest, it would not really solve the problem. You can not really decide the fate of something though an action alone. In other words, the power of the American superior is actually very limited. Giving gifts to solve a problem might make your relationship complicated resulting in an awkward situation between the two of you. I also feel this explanation is not enough. But having no experience working in the United States makes it difficult to say how the American boss and employee relationship works.

Greeting Strangers

Dad has this habit of exercising on the lawn, doing his daily Tai Chi. People would stop by and say hi to him like old friends. He would ask, you just moved in recently yet how come a lot of people know you already? I would then answer that it is pretty normal for strangers to just greet each other here. After that, Dad no longer practices Tai Chi outside, exercising at the back instead.

Another time, Dad and I were driving along the highway when the car suddenly broke down. Many drivers stopped by to try to offer assistance. Dad thought that it was weird many would show concern. But I have already been accustomed to this attitude.

Adopting Children With Disabilities

Dad and Mom were most surprised with a family raising five kids with disabilities. This family lives at the end of our street. What shocked my parents was that how they can take care of that many kids and all of them with varying levels of disabilities at that (and lastly, all of them coming from Vietnam). It is difficult to raise one healthy child, what more with a child who has disabilities (and make that five of them)?

I did not ponder too deeply on this question anymore as I know a lot of American families living in the same situation. One of my work colleagues, together with his wife, adopted two “black” kids. One of them is five years old and before the adoption, they already knew beforehand that he is a special child. Another kid is 14 years old who is suffering from diabetes. That kid has been to several foster families thus collecting not a few bad habits along the way. By the way, my colleague and his wife are “white” and just in their 30s. Because they have adopted these two children, they have also thought about having their own child. Last week, my colleague told me his wife is pregnant. Dad and Mom are always skeptical when I tell them these stories. Maybe I should take them to my colleague.

Don’t forget to check out our Pudong and Puxi food guides as well.

1. Fresh and crisp Belgian fries by Chez Leon

Address: Pudong, Zone C, Northwest of Belgium-European Union

RMB 20 per person

These fries are dipped in a thick concoction of cheese and mayonnaise.

2. Meals from Czech Restaurant

Address: Pudong, Zone C, Czech Pavilion

RMB 150 per person

German beer is said to be the best; but they said once you have tried beer from the Czech Republic, you would think otherwise. The beer consumption per person in Czech Republic is 215 liters per year. Germany is only second at 134 liters per year.

3. Seafood from the Norwegian Pavilion Restaurant: Love From The Norwegian Sea

Address: Pudong, Zone C, Norwegian Pavilion, 1st Floor

RMB 250 per person

Norway’s fishing industry is extremely well-know. The world’s best salmon comes from Norway. The Chinese have a saying–the way Norwegian salmon is prepared is “有两把刷子” or is really, really good.

Besides salmon, their cod fish is also said to be promising.

4. Turkish ice cream, also called “Dondurman”

Address: Pudong, Zone C, Turkish Pavilion, Exit

RMB 25 per person

People are attracted to how the ice cream is made (or performed) by the ice cream man.

5. Spanish Pavilion: Pedro Larumbe Restaurant

Address: Pudong, Zone C, Spanish Pavilion, 1st floor

RMB 200 per person

The Iberico ham has a unique wine aroma resulting from it being cured in wine for a long time (3 years).

6. Takoyaki (Octopus Balls)

Address: Puxi, Zone D, Southwest of Japanese Industrial Pavilions

RMB 35 per person

These small octopus balls come from Osaka. They are wrapped in soft, almost crunchy wrappers, and when bitten, the insides are super hot with sweet and chili flavors mixed together.

Unfortunately, queue time is especially long. Unless you are really craving for authentic takoyaki balls, you might lose your appetite in the end.

7. Porterhouse Irish Pub

Address: Pudong, Zone C, Near Belgium-European Union

RMB 80 per person

Compared to food, Ireland is actually better known for their beer (but you can also get set meals in Porterhouse). Though heard that it is almost always sold out (probably due to intentionally limiting the supply?).

8. Austrian Pavilion: Ewald’s Cafe

Address: Pudong, Zone C, Austrian Pavilion, 2nd floor

RMB 200 per person

Price is on the expensive side. And you could say the meal above is just breaded pork chop or tonkatsu (in Japan). But the Austrian Pavilion’s version uses slightly less oil with a bowl of salad to go with it and paired with Austrian wheat beer or ginger ale–a perfect match so to say.

9. Le Restaurant Ecole Institut Paul Bocuse

Address: Puxi, Urban Best Practices Area, Rhône-Alpes Pavillon, 4th Floor

Lunch: 11.30am to 2.30pm

Dinner: 6pm to 8.30pm (reservations required)

RMB 300 per person

Luxurious French cuisine that makes you want to return to the time of King Louie XIV. Enjoy foie gras, grilled cod, and others. This is said to be better than the Michelin-starred 6sens found at the French Pavilion.

10. Hakuna Matata African Restaurant

Address: Pudong, Zone C, Near Joint Africa Pavilion and Italian Pavilion

The unique African cuisine is not too bad actually. Ostrich meat is very lean and can conjure similar tastes coming from juicy beef. The restaurant looks simple on the outside, yet on the second floor there is an amazing buffet spread of grilled lamb chops, steak, salmon, etc., cooked by an Ethiopian chef.

The city fills with nostalgia whenever the Mid-Autumn Festival draws near as the holidays always translate to family reunions. But urbanization and commercialization seem to have replaced this nostalgic feelings with…practicality. Could it be that the cultural significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival is already lost among today’s generation?

According to Xiao Yang, “The Mid-Autumn Festival holiday is too short. After going home, I need to come back immediately after a few days.” This is her third time spending the holidays alone in Hong Kong.

Xiao Yang was born in 1986, a native of Jinnan. Even before she stopped going home for the holidays, her attitude towards the Mid-Autumn Festival is already muted. In order to feel festive, she would go out with her girlfriends to spend the festival on the school grounds.

But after staying in Hong Kong University, she realized the importance and how luxurious it is to go home. “For us born in the ’80s, except for rent, food, and basic expenses, we are basically 月光族 (monthly salary spenders). The return home ticket from Hong Kong to Jinnan will cost me RMB 2,800. Even the round-trip from Shenzhen will already cost RMB 1,500.”

Homesickness is inevitable. When walking along the streets of Hong Kong during the Mid-Autumn Festival, she would miss the leisurely life in Jinnan.

Earlier this year, she used her wages to buy her parents a computer with webcam, so they could chat and wish each other blessings while looking at the full moon together from their part of the world.

Although she is closer to home, Xiao Zhang has also decided not to go home for the Mid-Autumn Festival. “When you are young, the holidays is the most important thing in the world. But as you get older, you realize you do not need to go home.”

Xiao Yang and Xiao Zhang represent the majority who thinks it is not necessary to spend the holidays at home. Before the actual date of the Mid-Autumn Festival, several websites made an online survey that said 21% netizens encourage people to go home during the Mid-Autumn Festival. 42% said better go home during the National Day instead. A small 9% thinks going home at least once a year is enough.

To return or to not to return–this has become a hot topic during these times of the year. According to Professor Wang Zhongwu of Shandong University, those born in the 60′s and 70′s see these reunions as an emotional need. They also feel tremendous pressure from the society in making rational decisions.

As for those born in the 80′s and 90′s, they feel no such pressure. Holidays are primarily for rest and entertainment. Many young people use this time to travel outside the country.

“However, people should still try to go home for the Mid-Autumn Festival,” Professor Wang said. “Close relationships with the family is still the most important.”

Disclaimer: The descriptions maybe on the sarcastic side; but I do hope you take them at face value, see the humor injected by the author of the article, and think about the social classifications and the circumstances surrounding them instead.

I. Extreme Poverty Level (Completely Impoverished; Destitute Level)

Individual monthly income is below RMB 1,000. Annual household income is below RMB 30,000.  They are mainly the unemployed and the beggars (lower-end). These groups of people are primarily local Shanghainese.

Their mode of transportation is the bicycle. On certain occasions they would take the public transport. Ever since, they have not set foot outside of Shanghai. Their pockets mostly contain loose change; and when they walk along the streets, their eyes would shift to the ground from time to time hoping to find more loose change. They do not buy new clothes. They do not have meat for their meals. They can be seen lining outside the supermarkets as early as before 8am to buy the cheapest vegetables. Their mode of entertainment is watching television and strolling in the parks.

They live in shanties or resettlement houses in the outskirts of town. Outsiders (non-Shanghainese) live in bridges, public squares, or wherever they can get a night’s sleep.

II. Working Class

Individual monthly income on the average is RMB 1,000 to 3,000. Annual household income on the average is RMB 30,000 to 50,000.

Generally, they are the sales persons, construction workers, waiters, corporate/government personnel among others. Financially-minded (?) beggars can be considered to be part of this class as well.

Shanghainese and non-Shanghainese have the same social status.

Main mode of transportation is the public bus and the metro. If they could take the bus, they would not take the metro. Their bags consist of 3 things: transportation card, umbrella, and lunch box. They record their daily expenses religiously. Their mobile phones can only receive calls and can not make outgoing calls. Girls enjoy shopping but can only afford to go to Qipu Lu (Qipu Road). They have 1 or 2 branded cosmetics and bags, which they must use when going out. When meeting people for the first time, the first thing they will ask is “How much money do you have with you right now?” When eating out, they never foot the bill. They like going to the bargain stalls with friends. The guys do not have girlfriends. When do they, it is temporary only. They have a pair of leather shoes but can have several rubber/training shoes. They never buy new clothes as well. Married Shanghainese are NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) and depend on their parents. Their main form of entertainment is watching television and surfing the Internet (same as the middle-aged and elderly).

They live in small neighborhoods with their family. Non-Shanghainese rent one-room apartments. They do not dare think of buying a house or a car of their own.

III. White-Collars

Individual monthly income ranges from RMB 3,000 to 10,000. Annual household income ranges from RMB 50,000 to 150,000.

They are mostly the civil servants and staff working in private corporations, technical/skilled personnel, middle managers of enterprises, self-employed, and starting businessmen.

They are the majority in the community and not to mention the ones feeling the most pressure from work and society.

They use private cars or the metro as their mode of transport and occasionally ride the taxi as a last resort. Non-married Shanghainese white-collars have a carefree lifestyle. But once they get married, they start feeling the pressure from their children’s education, the mortgage, etc. As such, most white-collars go DINK (Dual Income, No Kids). Since high school, they have “branded” dreams–dream of getting the newest car models, gadgets, etc. At the same time, they look down on their fellow white-collars, preferring to speak in the local Shanghainese dialect as opposed to Mandarin. Their life is free and easy, oftentimes full of contradictions; but in reality they are the most not confident among the “7 social classes”. They like karaoke, eating out (they are in the know where is the newest restaurant in the block), and sometimes the 小资‘s like travelling around the country.

The non-Shanghainese white-collars are decidedly the most miserable. Their greatest dream is to buy their own house. They have a girlfriend for many years and live in a really small apartment (20sqm). Those younger than 30 years old are idealistic fellows. But once they reach 30, reality finally sinks in. They enjoy surfing the Internet, watching television, strolling along the park, sometimes spend the weekends in hotels, and treat friends for a meal.

Shanghainese white-collars live with their parents. Non-Shanghainese white collars rent apartments. On cases, they buy their own houses and pay the mortgage the majority of their lives. Once they grew old, they live with their kids and use their retirement fund to pay for the house’s bills.

IV. Middle Class

The starting annual salary for individuals is RMB 150,000 to 400,000. Annual household income is RMB 200,000 to 500,000. They also have RMB 1,000,000 to 10,000,000 in assets.

These are the executives of private enterprises, civil servants with “hidden” or “gray” incomes, senior technical staff, owners of private enterprises, and people in the performing arts.

They have a private car most probably in the RMB 100,000 to 200,000 level. On rare occasions, they would take the metro. And when chatting with friends, they like to complain about the traffic jam. Most of them are married, but some regret it. Either they already have extra-marital affairs or are prepared to have extra-marital affairs. The single ones have girlfriends but keep changing them. The women wants boy-friends but are not interested in boyfriends. The elders close to them are not their parents. The women close to them (the guys) are not their wives. Their mobiles phones are either busy or can not be reached. They could be in a meeting, are driving, or flying (in planes). Eating out is a form of entertainment (client lunches, dinner parties, etc.). Singing is a form of courtship (?) (抱妞). Looking for women is “work”. Looking for a wife is a “family responsibility”. The women are not “Misses”, rather they are 女强人 (strong women). From being meat-eaters, they become vegetarians. From driving their own cars, they turn to jogging instead. The Shanghainese do not like using their dialect. Instead, they speak in English. The outsiders, on the other hand, do not speak Mandarin. Instead, they like to use the Shanghai dialect.

Majority of these middle-class are in the process of paying for their homes. A few have their own 2-room houses already.

V. Wealthy Class (Millionaires)

Individual annual income is stable from RMB 400,000 to 2,000,000. Annual household income is stable from RMB 500,000 to 2,000,000. They have assets worth RMB 50,000,000.

These are the business owners and executives of really big corporations, celebrities, and the second-generation rich. As for non-Shanghainese, there are a few only.

They are high-end car-buyers. BMW’s and Mercedez Benz’s are status symbols. They have at least 2 cars. They do not need to work, and the majority of them are married (just waiting for the second, third, fourth marriage). Those who are not married would not get married at all. They start not looking for lovers anymore as they have mistresses instead. They start playing golf, take boating as a hobby, and listen to concerts. They rarely eat out as their mistresses will cook hotpot for them. They have 2 to 3 phones with one of the numbers only a few people know. They only use the Internet for work (not for entertainment) and occasionally watch television and read high-end magazines. After work, besides socializing in dinner parties and others, they go to their mistresses to relax. The women like going to salons and working out at the gym…and may start their menopause early.

They live in inner subdivisions and/or holiday villas.

VI. Wealthy Class (Billionaires)

They are at the top of the pyramid. Annual income is RMB 2,000,000 or more.

They are the entrepreneurs or those senior officials waiting for their retirement.

They have 3 to 5 cars, 3 to 5 businesses, and 3 to 5 mistresses or lovers. Majority of them are over 40 years old and married and would not divorce their wives because of a lover. They have extreme attitudes when it comes to work–they can be workaholics or do not like to work at all. But in terms of their emotional and spiritual health, they are unfortunately empty. Their family situation is also extreme–broken family, separated for many years or is together (looks good as the dead water on the surface). Half of their lives are in Shanghai, while they spend their other half abroad. Most of them have foreign green cards (or are permanent residents abroad). Their kids study in international schools. Wealth to them is nothing at all. They begin to have concern for the poor and charitable foundations. No phone numbers on business cards as most probably the number you know is just one in a dozen. They participate in fewer business meetings. They frequent golf clubs, yacht clubs, race courses, and other high-end places. Except for eating, going to the toilet, and sleeping, they have other people doing stuff for them. Some of them have 1 to 2 friends who really share a hobby or interest with them.

They live in inner subdivisions and villas. They might not even know how many houses they have all-in-all.

VII. The Reserved Wealthy

They never have to work a day in their lives or even feel the existence of money. They go everywhere, around the world. Their parents and/or them control Shanghai and/or China’s economy. They have a say in its financial direction.

They have every material item to their beckoning. But they would never drive a BMW or Mercedes Benz. They have servants to cook for them. They eat out only at 5-star hotels. And they do their shopping abroad like Hong Kong or Thailand.

They do not look much differently from ordinary people. They do not have a must-go place or a must-do thing-to-do. But they also can not go to a lot of places, can not do a lot of stuff. They have a lot of money and a lot of time in their hands. Their actions affect the fifth and sixth groups.

They live in the Xintiandi area or the old-fashioned mansions in Binjiang District. Most of the property are not in their name, but they are the actual owners.

Shanghai may be part of the top 50 most expensive cities to live in the world, but it is not the most expensive city in China to get married. And it is not Beijing either. China’s capital may have placed only 55 in ECA International’s cost of living ranking as compared to Shanghai which placed 46th, however it is said to rank second in the expensive-to-get-married-city scale in China.

Getting Married In Shanghai

1. Decent housing (80 square meters and above) with an average price of RMB 20,100 per square meter; RMB 20,100 x 80 = RMB 1,608,000.

2. Renovation and interior design for a 100-square-meter floor area; RMB 150,000.

3. Household appliances and furniture; RMB 100,000 (though some women get this in the form of dowry).

4. An ordinary car; RMB 100,000.

5. Wedding banquet with 25 tables in an average-star hotel; RMB 1,000 x 25 = RMB 25,000. Subtract to that the RMB 1,200 average wedding money (hongbao) you will get per table. You get to at least keep RMB 1,200 x 25 =  RMB 5,000.

6. Honeymoon to Hong Kong or Macau with the main destination to Hainan; RMB 6,000 travel expenses per person thus for both husband and wife- RMB 6,000 x 2 = RMB 12,000.

7. Courting stage for 2 years. This includes going out on dates, buying of gifts, entertainment, travel, giving of gifts to girlfriend’s parents. Average of RMB 1,800 per month. So for 2 years- RMB 1,800 x 12 months x 2 years = RMB 43,200.

In summary, total cost is RMB 1,608,000 + RMB 150,000 + RMB 100,000 + RMB 100,000 – RMB 5,000 + RMB 12,000 + RMB 43, 200 = RMB 2,008,200.

Getting Married In Beijing

1. Decent housing near the 6th Ring Road (80 square meters and above) with an average price of RMB 20,000 per square meter; RMB 20,100 x 80 = RMB 1,600,000. In Beijing, prices of real estate inside the ring road are considerably higher than other parts of town.

2. Renovation and interior design for a 100-square-meter floor area; RMB 150,000.

3. Household appliances and furniture; RMB 80,000 (though some women get this in the form of dowry).

4. Standard car; RMB 120,000. (The Hyundai Elantra is preferred.)

5. Wedding banquet with 200 guests (20 tables) in a 4-star hotel; RMB 200 x 200 = RMB 40,000. Subtract to that the RMB 2,000 average wedding money (hongbao) you will get per table. And you just break even.

6. Honeymoon. Beijingers refused to go to Hong Kong or Macau or Hainan. Instead, they will go to Australia or Europe or the Maldives spending around RMB 10,000 per person. So total honeymoon trip will cost around RMB 30,000.

7.  Courting stage for 2 years. This includes going out on dates, buying of gifts, entertainment, travel, giving of gifts to girlfriend’s parents. Average of RMB 2,000 per month. So for 2 years- RMB 2,000 x 12 months x 2 years = RMB 48,000.

In summary, total cost is RMB 1,600,000 + RMB 150,000 + RMB 80,000 + RMB 120,000 + RMB 30,000 + RMB 48,000 = RMB 2,028,000.

Getting Married In Shenzhen

The most expensive is said to be in Shenzhen. However, this information might not be so true anymore if we based it on housing prices alone (given the housing crisis in China). Before, the price per square meter can reach up to RMB 22,300. But the property prices in Shenzhen (just north of Hong Kong) have dropped sharply in the last couple of months which is the largest property decline across China.

Anyway, what do you think of the figures above? How realistic are they? Is getting married in China a not so realistic option?

In the past 3 years, the average age of first-time house buyers in the United Kingdom rose from 33 to 37 years of age. In Japan and Germany, it is 42 years old; while it is 30 years old in the United States. However in a report released by the China Everbright Bank and a real estate research firm, those applying for housing loans in Beijing have an average age of 27 years old which is younger as compared to developed countries.

So that they could own a house, many Chinese do not mind working almost half of their lives just to pay off the bank loans. Owning a house in China is not just for residential purposes. It is now considered a marriage prerequisite and shows one’s financial capability. Other than that, it reflects on the unrealistic urgency of young people agonized by material desire and the shaky housing system in China.

As Li Daokui, professor at Tsinghua University and a member of the Chinese central bank’s monetary policy committee, says, “It is more than [just] a bubble problem,” Li says. “When prices go up, many people, especially young people, become very anxious. It is a social problem.”

Here are the reasons why the Chinese young people rush to buy houses–

Because of marriage? Kids? To take advantage of early housing prices? To feel more secure?

If you cannot buy at the age of 27, then the more you cannot afford by the age of 40.

If the young Beijinger at 27 years old is not able to afford a house, then the more he can not afford one once he reaches the age of 40; because our income will never catch up with the rising house prices. The reason people living in developed countries are only able to buy houses by the time they turned 40 is because their housing prices are very stable. Da Bing, netizen

If you do not have a house, how can your kids get a hukou?

Is there sense to always compare with foreign countries? People from other countries can move locations freely without need of a hukou. In Beijing, if you do not have a house, you do not have a hukou. How can your kids study then? Mama79, netizen

One of the marriage requirements of women is a house.

Even if it says that the average age of people who buy houses is 27, it does mean that those 30 years and above do not need to buy a house. It just shows that the demand is greatest for those 27 years of age. Do you know why? It is because of the pressure of marriage. The women will demand a house to live in. In the United States and Europe, there is no such marriage prerequisite. sun-yuepingso, netizen

If you do not buy a house early on, even renting at a later time might not be affordable anymore.

In China, housing prices double a year. So at 27 if you do not pool your and your parents’ money to buy a house, by the time you reach 72, even with your grandparents’ money you cannot form the down payment. wxy690so, netizen

People abroad have sufficient low-cost housing.

In China, there is none. Moreover, what kind of house can the 27-year-old Chinese buy? One-bedroom-one-living-room can only be considered as an apartment, not a house. 42-year-old Americans who buy villas–that is a house. Majority of Chinese can not afford to buy a house in their lifetime. zhangfengyu, netizen

If you have a house, you would not feel so anxious.

The saying before is “as long as you have food, you would not feel so anxious”. This time, “as long as you have a house, you would not feel so anxious.” Coming from someone like me who is from another province, even having a small house gives me peace of mind. Sisi, netizen

What does this attitude of young people reflect in the society?

An abnormality in the community? Something wrong with their thinking? Flaws in the housing system?

If the husband does not have a house, it is very embarrassing for the wife.

Nowadays, marriage in China has turned into a circus of materialism. This is a huge change in Chinese society. No matter how confident a woman is, if her boyfriend or husband does not have a house, it will cause her to lose face. Shanghai University of Political Science Women’s Studies Center Director Chen Xiaomin

Buying a house for marriage purposes is an abnormal social phenomenon.

Even in high-income communities, most will only consider buying a house after the age of 35. Young people now are impulsive decision-makers. China-ECapital CEO Wang Ran

What is the cost of prematurely buying a house?

Buying a house too early could affect one’s personal development.

Most young people have planned out their careers. But once they buy a house, their plans could change. I have seen many young people turn down a lot of opportunities, because they have tackled the first steps into acquiring a house of their own. Finance commentator Wu Qilun

Getting a housing loan affects not just one generation.

Says the Chief Economist of the National Bureau of Statistics of China–

House prices in Beijing are absolutely ridiculous. When a young couple purchases a house, parents and grandparents from both sides need to help out. The collective effort of four families is required to support a young family’s decision to buy a house. Three generations of savings are thus exhausted in buying a single house.

How can we prevent young people not to worry too much about this?

The government should pay attention to this issue.

By controlling the housing prices, young people would not feel the pressure of buying early on and thus engage in panic-buying. Thus, this would also lead to a healthy development in the Beijing real estate market. Homelink Vice President Lin Qian

Germany provides a good model.

In Germany, 42% of people own their houses; while 58% rent them. 77% of the young Germans live in rented places. The German government also encourage their people to build their own houses so as to break the monopoly engaged by housing developers.  The housing prices in Germany has not changed in 10 years. Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Institute of Industrial Economics researcher Cao Jianhai