When in Rome, do as the GOOD Romans do.
Driving like a bad local driver will NOT make you less of a hazard.
Driving like a good local driver will require you to adapt a different mindset to driving. Actually the driving here is very predictable, once you learn how to predict driving gets easier. Predicting will help you stay out of harms way. Even defensive driving has a different set of rules here.
I agree Mandarin essential.
English is the business lingua franca.
Japanese, especially in China. As business links with Japan are growing and most (not all) Japanese only speak Japanese.
From a career point of view, Spanish may be the best additional language to learn. Why do I say this. Spanish is the world's third language. Most of S. America use it, and China's trade links with Latin America are growing strongly.
Also German, French, Italian, Spanish (EU) and other European business people usually already speak very good English.
But be aware, not all your kids may be linguists. One of them might be a dancer, or a computer geek with no social skills (OMG!!!!). LOL
There seem to be a lot more serious accidents in the UK, by sheer weight of numbers. Driving here IS much slower, generally, and accidents are mostly very minor with no real damage done.
The comment about don't hit the guy in front is the unwritten rule, but seems to apply. Confession time: driving here I use the mirrors a lot less, because there is so much crazy stuff going on in front of me I don't have much time to use them. Fact.
There is also a wealth of stuff in the Chinese driving test about 'the courteous driver' (chortle).
Ultimately drivers here are more inconsiderate, but that is not about the driving culture specifically. Is it?
If you are not going to be here long term, it is possible that rote learning habits will be beneficial.
Here's mu 2 cents.
The eastern model is the acquisition of knowledge, the western model is the application of knowledge.
However, unless you acquire knowledge you can't apply it. Some of this knowledge must be memorised, for example the Periodic Table in chemistry.
Why are Chinese kids so good at maths (especially calculus) and chemistry? Because of rote learning.
Why are there so much growth in liberal arts degrees, and reduction in science degrees in the west. Because many schools have dropped rote learning practices and the 'hard' subjects that require more disciplined learning, and less reasoning.
I think that if they kids who acquire good learning habits and good reasoning skills (critical thinking/critical expression), they will develop strong academic capability all round. Kids can get the former in school, and the latter at home. As a parent who takes an active interest in your kids development, I think you will hit this balance. Gawd know my parents couldn't.
I am actually amazed that I don't see more accidents. The few I have seen are only scrapes or mild fender benders.
I agree that there is no concept of the vulnerable road user here.
But, and it is a big but here, the general rule is 'don't hit the guy in front'.
I used to be a motorcycle instructor, and we used to tell trainees "If you go out with the attitude that everyone else on the road is trying to kill you, you are in a better position to be safe".
Not sure if the question is serious, but here is a serious attempt at an answer.
In the last month or so we have had a lot of rain over a prolonger period, and it has helped a lot. But there has been a 4 year deficit of rainfall vs water use. This has depleted water stocks.
Water stocks consist of rivers and lakes, reservoirs, and most importantly ground water. To replenish the stocks there needs to be rain over a prolonged period. Long periods of consistent light rain are far better at replenishing water sources than heavy rain over short periods.
Shorter periods of heavy rain increase surface water. In urban areas, the concrete buildings and roads prevent the rain water from going into the ground and you get floods and most of this runs off into water courses.
In non-urban areas the surface water can run over the ground with only a small percentage actually soaking in. There is also run off to water courses, flash floods etc.
Water courses, including rivers and many shallow lakes don't really store the extra water, it just runs through.
Where there are deeper lakes and reservoirs water is stored, but this is only a small part of the water reserves.
It takes time for water to permeate the deep ground to replenish aquifers.
Visited one just over the border in Guizhou. The pans had not been flushed and there were piles of poop. There was a matong (a sitter shiter) but it was smashed, like have the bowl was gone and jagged edges. No seat (obviously) and it had been used. Build up of green gunk on the porcelain suggest a time lag since any real cleaning had been done.
I think the governer will be regretting his off hand remark, not realising it would go on record.
A reasonable choice of lumber that has improved over time. Fancy hardwoods like walnut, and mahogany are in abundance. There are some plywood and rubber-wood boards available. There are also some kiln dried imported softwoods and merbao available. Some of the lumber is very green, so look for the kiln dried if you need stable timbers.
Echo everything said by others.
Breakfast great and the serve from 8am. Most other places say 9am and they still are not ready.
Sandwiches are cheap 22-32, and really packed full of filling. We got some sandwiches for a day out, the only mistake I made was ordering two, as this was too much. These are seriously good sangars, and they are wrapped in alu foil.
In fairness to Metro, they are a wholesalers, and not really a supermarket. Hence the need for a card, which can be got around.
They have improved in the year I have been away. They now carry a more consistent range of imported foodstuffs and they also seem to have sorted out the mported milk supply.
They have a wider range of electrical appliances now, there is a coice of more than one toast. There is also a better range of seasonal non foods, like clothes, shoes, garden furniture and camping gear.
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Heavy rains wreak havoc around Yunnan
Posted byNot sure if the question is serious, but here is a serious attempt at an answer.
In the last month or so we have had a lot of rain over a prolonger period, and it has helped a lot. But there has been a 4 year deficit of rainfall vs water use. This has depleted water stocks.
Water stocks consist of rivers and lakes, reservoirs, and most importantly ground water. To replenish the stocks there needs to be rain over a prolonged period. Long periods of consistent light rain are far better at replenishing water sources than heavy rain over short periods.
Shorter periods of heavy rain increase surface water. In urban areas, the concrete buildings and roads prevent the rain water from going into the ground and you get floods and most of this runs off into water courses.
In non-urban areas the surface water can run over the ground with only a small percentage actually soaking in. There is also run off to water courses, flash floods etc.
Water courses, including rivers and many shallow lakes don't really store the extra water, it just runs through.
Where there are deeper lakes and reservoirs water is stored, but this is only a small part of the water reserves.
It takes time for water to permeate the deep ground to replenish aquifers.
Not a perfect answer, I know.
Li Ping fundraiser
Posted bySad news.
I echo everything @Adrian said.
Governor: Provincial highway bathrooms China's worst
Posted bySame as beans
Cruciferous vegetables.
Good for the heart,
The more you eat,
the more you......
Governor: Provincial highway bathrooms China's worst
Posted byAs a demi-tarian, I must confess that I do seem to fart more on my veggie days.
Governor: Provincial highway bathrooms China's worst
Posted byVisited one just over the border in Guizhou. The pans had not been flushed and there were piles of poop. There was a matong (a sitter shiter) but it was smashed, like have the bowl was gone and jagged edges. No seat (obviously) and it had been used. Build up of green gunk on the porcelain suggest a time lag since any real cleaning had been done.
I think the governer will be regretting his off hand remark, not realising it would go on record.
What ever happened to the 2 flies rule?