The problem is I go to places like Starbucks to relax, and I just end up getting angry and frustrated! I think next time I'll complain to the manager and say I'm never coming back here in front of a load of customers, but then again it just takes away the pleasure of why I went there in the first place and spent 30rmb on a coffee! I'm an ex smoker myself (I know, the worst complainers), but I never smoked inside, and always respected others. The simple fact is these people were told by the staff to stop smoking and continued. To me, that sums up the manners of some people in this country 随心所欲- do as one pleases. I was half tempted to interrupt their conversation and say- "excuse me, are you the emperor of china? No? So why don't you obey the rules?" But in the end I just couldn't be bothered. I think the key is if it's really a big deal then make these people lose face. In the elevator for example I told a guy smoking next to a kid that a.) it's dangerous to smoke in lifts, and b.) it's really bad for the kid's health. He looked at me like I was mental, but at least I said something.

Seems to be on the increase. Possibly staff seem to be less interested in keeping it under control?

I got seriously f*cked off the other day when two people were smoking, and just carried on after being told to stop.

I know this is China, and people do smoke, but have some respect for the f*cking rules at least!!!

PS- hurry the f*ck up! I hear they can fine you lots of money for not registering! I waited 4 days once, and it wasn't an issue, although I was bricking it at the time.

I'm sure you have to reregister after coming back from HK, and I always have done. After all, you're leaving the mainland.

However, telling them before you go? Nowhere I am aware of specifies that rule. I did get a knock at my door two months ago from two policeman who ask me to sign a form to prove I lived in my flat. Very strange, as I hadn't been abroad at that time. They also asked me my future plans, I said I was going back to England in a couple of weeks, and they took down some notes. I'm now back in KM, and have registered. No issues.

15 if the firewall is playing up...

it's 20,000RMB lat time i checked, anything over and the customs officer can take the lot. Plus $5,000, but make sure you take into account the ballache in changing all this up, seeing as us 外国人's can only do $500 a time