Now here’s a novel concept: the guys at Rebar fed a meter for two hours in downtown San Francisco and rented a parking space where they setup a temporary park. Expensive as it was for a bit of grass, they managed to add 24,000 square-foor-minutes of public space and contributed a significant amount of greenery to what is normally a rather grey part of town.
They even give details on how to setup your own PARK(ing) … check out their website for more!
Whilst shopping in Tesco’s in the UK, I picked up a box of Mr. Men cupcake mix: that’s right, I couldn’t resist, and brought them back to Beijing to bake.
I have to say I was somewhat disappointed after making them a few days ago. The characters still looked cute – but the cake itself was nothing to drool over. That’s not to mention I didn’t do a very good job at spreading the icing.
Still, no point being Mr. Fussy over them, and at least Little Miss Sunshine didn’t turn me into Mr. Dizzy. But next time, perhaps i’ll just buy the characters – then Mr. Grumpy can make his own cake.
As an individual, it’s easy: go to any bank, show some identification (ID card or passport would be fine), fill in a few forms (ok, maybe more than a few with certain banks) – and voila, you’re given your non-personalised ATM card within minutes. With this, you can withdraw up to ¥5000 per day from any ATM machine (sometimes the machine limits are lower so will need to withdraw twice) or if you prefer, go to any bank branch and withdraw any amount you want (just bring a briefcase with you since the largest denomination in China ia still ¥100).
Business banking, i’m afraid, is a whole new story. To do anything with your money here is a royal pain in the rear end, and each trip to the bank is a guaranteed hair splitting experience. Each company is limited to a ¥49,000 daily withdrawal limit only (any more and you must explain what you wish to do with the money) – and to do this you must fill in a designated ‘withdrawal slip’ (which you purchase from the bank ; ¥30 for a book of 20). This form must contain the company chop, company finance chop, and signatures of all parties involved, and must be signed/chopped on both sides (why? I don’t know why!)
Chinese banks do not support variable signature instruction (e.g. two out of three signatures), which causes huge inconvenience since one or more directors are frequently not present. In attempting to get our ‘signature instruction’ changed, we found that 13 forms were required. This is no joke (photo enclosed) – why so much duplication is required for a single task is beyond my abilities of comprehension. Of course, after filling in 13 forms, we were informed that we still had to type a cover letter to the bank to inform them that we have filled in forms to action the change.
Previously, we attempted to transfer money from our USD account to RMB. The USD had to be first converted, and then transferred – yes, sounds reasonable, except they couldn’t do it in one go. Again, we needed a cover letter: an application to apply for the application of fund transfer. And of course, there were quite a few accompanying forms there too.
Online banking is not available for business customers, and since there’s no statement mailed to you or passbook either, you’ll just have to keep telephoning or going to the bank for a balance update.
These are only just the tip of the iceberg, but trust me: business banking in China is definitely not a fun experience. It’s a frequent wonder how foreign (or indeed local) firms can put up with the hassles and bureaucracy of the banking system. Although the system is still undergoing reform here, it is clear that there is still a LONG LONG way to go.
Although my holiday is well and truly over, I thought i’d post up a photo of our chalet in Switzerland – finally, after all these years, there is snow at the chalet.
It’s been over a decade now that we started visiting this part of Switzerland, mainly to check that the place hasn’t burnt down etc… The chalet, at 1000 metres above sea level, receives a good portion of snow annually. However, for some reason, it’s never present when we are – even though we often get photos sent back from guests showing themselves almost being snowed in. Of course further uphill snow is aplenty – but now, at last, proof that it really DOES snow at 1000 metres!
It’s common in Chinese culture for people to renew their clothing and wear it on the special occasion. How kind then, of what I can only assume were a bunch of yobs in Hendon, for making the process so much easier for me by nicking all my stuff. They did a good job too – not only did I need new clothes, but they’ve also forced me to get a new laptop, mobile phone, and camera. The UK really is a charming country – people are ever so thoughtful there.
If i’ve gained anything from the ordeal though, i’ve learned at least one thing: don’t go to London! Or if that’s too draconian (what? never!), then at the very last be careful where you park your car (although ours was already in a carpark). Apparently Ford Focuses are a prime target (brick through back windscreen, then you can easily lift up the flap and access the boot contents), and it’s easy to tell if it’s a hire car.
This whole debacle simply reaffirms my affection for this country. Sure, it’s not the same everywhere (i’ve spent quite a bit of time in the Cotswolds and found it very pleasant): but I think it’s fair to say, however subjective a claim it may be, that the UK has a problem with truancy. And it’s not just me talking: indeed, it’s been talk of the media recently too – words like ‘yob’ and ‘hoodie’ popping up not too infrequently.
I’m neither a sociologist nor anthropologist, but whatever the reasons behind the problem it is certainly not good for Britain’s image. Upon landing at Heathrow (or arriving at one of many UK railway stations) you are greeted with a sign informing passengers that ‘assault of our staff will not be tolerated’ – a sign I have not seen in any other country. And of all the countries I have visited, for some reason I feel the least comfortable in UK cities.
Part of my holiday (after much rescheduling and re-issuing of passports) was spent in Switzerland – we usually go there at least once a year for a week or two each time. It’s impeccably efficient, and the kids look sophisticated and innocent. Meanwhile in the UK, I see a bunch of kids and feel like thumping them. But it’s not just Switzerland – back here in Hong Kong I feel safe; in Beijing I feel safe… heck even in the USA I feel safe. And yet, at the back of my mind, my image of the UK is a nation full of irresponsible drunken yobs who couldn’t work a bank account if their lives depended on it.
I don’t know what has led to the decline of British civilised society as we know it, but one thing is certain : I would have serious reservations about raising my kids there. For now, i’ll just stick to short bursts each year.
And I want my stuff back.
