# I'm thinking of moving to China **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2003, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-of-moving-to-china/155472 "2003-02-16T18:24:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-of-moving-to-china/155472/1 "2003-02-16T18:24:56Z")
…for a year. There are a few opportunities to teach English in China for a year and I’m thinking of doing it. In case you are wondering, I have a degree in English(not as a second language, though) and one in Education. I would be located(most likely) in Tianjin, which is just east of Beijing. Anyway, I had a few questions for anyone who currently lives in China, has lived in China, or knows about living there. I appreciate any help, but please don’t speculate. 1. What kind of electrical outlets do they have? Do I need a converter? 2. What is the best way to ship things to China? 3. Where does an American male get a haircut in China? 4. What was/is your opinion of life in China, especially if you did something similar and were living in the same area of the country? 5. What one thing did you wish you knew(or wish you had brought) before you went to China? I may have more questions later. If you feel you have a fair amount of knowledge about this area, please check this thread later for more questions. Mods, if this is the wrong forum, please move it. It kinda blurs the line between GQ/IMHO/MPSIMS. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-of-moving-to-china/155472/2 "2003-02-16T20:02:01Z")
My brother taught English in China for a year. He met his wife in class (stewardesses !!). I’ll e-mail him your questions. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-of-moving-to-china/155472/3 "2003-02-16T20:41:18Z")
Here’s my brother’s response: \> I would be located(most likely) in Tianjin, which is just Tianjin is famous for BaoZi (a food). It has some old structures left over from various foreign incursions, including a Russian Orthodox church. It has a small town feel. That’s about like Manhattan to us. It has higher cancer rates compared to the rest of China on the order of China’s cancer rates as compared to, say, Germany. Winters will be about as cold as Bloomington, Indiana. \> 1. What kind of electrical outlets do they have? Do I need \> a converter? 220v 50 hz. It’s better to buy your iron, ghetto blaster, and Hello Kitty vibrator over there. It’ll cost you less than the converter, and the new US department of Searching your Baggage won’t mug you. In fact, bring nothing, and buy it all over there. They have everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. \> 2. What is the best way to ship things to China? An entire household can go in a half-container. They have completely up-to-date intermodal container services. Land postal mail will work fine, although it may 1) get there before you do, or 2) get there four months after you do. They also have DHL, Western Union, etc. \> 3. Where does an American male get a haircut in China? At the barbershop. Of which there are many. They’ll be happy to work on you, and take great pride in being very blase’ about doing a foreigner. They might take pictures. Participate in this gladly–it’s good for their business. \> 4. What was/is your opinion of life in China, especially \> if you did something similar and were living in the same \> area of the country? I lived in Shenyang, which is 8 hours to the north, and has the climate of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Life in China ROCKS, although northeast culture is a rapid-fire, loud, pugnacious northern culture. \> 5. What one thing did you wish you knew(or wish you had \> brought) before you went to China? Everything is done through negotiation. Confrontation never works. You are being cheated. But by a small margin. Get over it. Drink bottled water in Tianjin. If you must drink tap water anywhere, boil it. Know your antibiotics. Carry toilet paper with you everywhere. Don’t bring much stuff with you. Find a reliable local to show you around. ---
**Author:** ![Cillasi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@Cillasi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cillasi)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-of-moving-to-china/155472/4 "2003-02-16T22:54:09Z")
Mahaloth, check the e-mail addy you have registered with this site. I sent you the e-mail addy of a friend who is in Beijing attending med school. As a recent arrival, he should be able to answer a lot of your questions. Good Luck! ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-of-moving-to-china/155472/5 "2003-02-17T00:02:41Z")
Two of my best friends are currently living in Beijing, one has been there for over a year and a half now. He’s teaching English and has taught for a couple different schools in Beijing since he’s been there. I’ll send you his email address too as he may be able to answer some more specific questions that these other contacts may not. ---
**Author:** ![Lehcar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5a626/32.png) [@Lehcar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lehcar)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-of-moving-to-china/155472/6 "2003-02-17T01:20:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NinetyWt \* > \*\*Here’s my brother’s response: > > It has higher cancer rates compared to the rest of China on > the order of China’s cancer rates as compared to, say, > Germany. > \*\* Hi. Do you know where I can find the sources on rates of cancer in China? Xiexie ni (thank you in Mandarin) ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-of-moving-to-china/155472/7 "2003-02-17T11:31:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mahaloth \* > \*\*I live in shanghai, and have clocked about 15 years in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. > > 1. What kind of electrical outlets do they have? Do I need a converter? already answered- get your stuff here. Also the plugs may be a different wierd 3 prong type. You can buy plug adaptors in China. > > 2. What is the best way to ship things to China?What does he want to ship. Again, I’d bring two suitcases and buy everything else unless there are some pretty special needs. > > 3. Where does an American male get a haircut in China? Barber shop, although sometimes you get what you pay for… > > 4. What was/is your opinion of life in China, especially if you did something similar and were living in the same area of the country? > I’ve been coming to China since 1982 (if you count taiwan) and to the mainland since 1985. I’ve lived in the countryside as well as Shanghai. Personally, I dislike Beijing and have only been to Tianjin on a day trip to the Toyota factory. Tianjin is a pit. People may be nice but it is one of the most polluted places in China, and they don’t have any water. Seriously, water shortages are a big problem. > > 5. What one thing did you wish you knew(or wish you had brought) before you went to China?Ummm, you need a helluva lot of patience and a sense of humor or you’ll be on a plane quickly or just hate everything. There is a time and a place to lose your temper, but usually far far far far later than you ever would in the US. \*\* Any special reason for Tianjin? If not, there are so many absolutely wonderful places in China you could teach English for a year of an incredible experience - why waste it in am armpit of a city when it is colder than hell for much of the year and you get duststorms. I personally have a huge attraction to southwest China. ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-of-moving-to-china/155472/8 "2003-02-17T12:20:19Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by NinetyWt \* \*\*Here’s my brother’s response: \> I would be located(most likely) in Tianjin, which is just Tianjin is famous for BaoZi (a food). It has some old structures left over from various foreign incursions, including a Russian Orthodox church. [quote] BaoZi is also known as “bun”, basically dough baked with either some sweet paste or meat (pork, chicken, prawns or do…oops, nevermind) itself. They come in all types of shape and sizes… ---
**Author:** ![Hemlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Hemlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hemlock)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-of-moving-to-china/155472/9 "2003-02-17T12:49:49Z")
Read the blogs by US English teachers in China here - you’ll learn more about what it’s like to live and work there than from any other source, I think… [http://www.sinosplice.com/chinablogs.html](http://www.sinosplice.com/chinablogs.html) ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-of-moving-to-china/155472/10 "2003-02-17T13:17:06Z")
I am sooo jealous. Just out of curiousity, do you have to have a degree in English to teach it over there? Or do you just have to be an English speaker? If I were going to live in China for more than a few weeks, I would dedicate almost all my extra time to finding a Martial Arts school and training (if I could find one that would take me). ---
**Author:** ![MrO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@MrO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrO)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-of-moving-to-china/155472/12 "2003-02-17T15:16:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zheng lai eng \* > \*\*DEODERANT-DEODERANT. Buy enough to get through the summer at least. They do not sell it here in China (or Taiwan or Korea). \*\* A bit off topic, but I thought I’d mention that Korea now has Body Shops, which offer their own brand of deodorant. Many Koreans have no idea what the heck it’s for, or where it’s applied. I don’t like the Body Shop brand, so I buy a year’s supply of my preferred brand every year when I go home for Christmas. In China, I’d agree with **Zheng** : bring enough to last. Haven’t lived in China, but traveled there a few times. I like China a lot–I would probably be there if I didn’t have a job I like in Korea (and a wife who speaks only Korean). I have to agree with the advice to not bring much stuff with you. You can get it there cheap enough, with a few exceptions, and you’d be surprised what you can do without. It’s probably easier to buy whatever electrical things you need there, rather than think about converters and plugs. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-of-moving-to-china/155472/13 "2003-02-17T16:32:38Z")
Thank you for all the information. I have another question I’d like to throw out. 1. There is a possibility of teaching in Tanggu instead of Tianjin. Do you think that would be better? ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-of-moving-to-china/155472/14 "2003-02-17T17:08:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by \*\*Tristan \*\*\* > Just out of curiousity, do you have to have a degree in English to teach it over there? Or do you just have to be an English speaker? Depends on the program. My friend’s been there about 20 months and has taught English with two or three different outfits. He’s just got a BA in History. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-of-moving-to-china/155472/15 "2003-02-17T19:33:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by White Lightning \* > \*\*Depends on the program. My friend’s been there about 20 months and has taught English with two or three different outfits. He’s just got a BA in History. \*\* I have a B.A. in English and one in Education and I am eligible. They mostly require a B.A. and good Engish skills. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-of-moving-to-china/155472/16 "2003-02-18T12:04:01Z")
Do you have any info on Tanggu. I googled and found a place near Tianjin. Again, I am prejudiced as I spent 3 years in Southwest China. If I was going to pick a place for a great adventure and unrepeatable life experience, it would not be Tianjin. Do you have to be around Tianjin or is the entire country fair game?