A Bryson in China

Post Olympics Notes

And now some info following the Olympics:

• Fun missing around Beijing during Games.
• Photographing the Games was not easy for this professional, but "Hooters was good".
• Bloggers urged to not hype Michael Phelps prior to games.
• "Great Firewall" of China blocks inconsistently.
• Bathrooms not recommended in Beijing.
• "A Perfect Storm" in China, and particularly in its impact of Guangdong's industrial base.
• 500 factories closed in Dongguan.
• But soon you can get wireless all over Dongguan.
• And, of course, you can now get a great golf package to Guangdong!

Edit any bullet above to go direct to the original post.

Labels: Dongguan, Guangdong, Life in China, Olympics

posted by A Bryson (formerly) in China @ 8:51 PM Comments: 0

Qingdao Olympic Update on China Law Bolg

Another great post on China Law Blog - this time about way the Chinese are conducting sailing events in Qingdao. Steve's perspective from a local expat highlights some of the issues while still keeping a positive outlook for the future of China. Enjoy

Labels: Expats, Olympics, Qingdao, Sailing

posted by A Bryson (formerly) in China @ 5:46 AM Comments: 0

In the News (In China Anyway)

Interesting news readings from China:

• Dongguan & Guangdong continue to suffer from influences not making it so attractive to manufacturers. Is it an "industrial downsizing"? This article from US News & World Report eyes the difficulties of manufacture in the "world's factory floor".

• Of course, Olympics coverage is increasing now with the Olympics in only two weeks. But coverage by the media seems to be the first real topic of many authors. Here the Associated Press outlines its frustrations and the difficulties of the media in operating in China. (They could have asked many bloggers on what to expect long ago.)

• Did everyone see the stampede to get the last Olympic venue tickets? Here is one good account of the situation.
  

• And here is a great blog report by The Peking Duck, actually trying to get some of the last Olympic tickets. It reminded me of so many of my frustrations in China trying to get information and queing.

• Beijing has even setup a courthouse specifically for the Olympics. Not exactly what you would expect for The Games. But for China, I am sure they think it makes perfect sense.

• And last, Labron James to play for Guangdong Tigers? ............ Okay this ones a satire on the movmement of basketball players. But with the money coming into China now, this could become a reality.

[Be sure to visit www.abrysoninchina.blogspot.com to link directly to the articles above.]

Labels: Basketball, Dongguan, Life in China, Olympics

posted by A Bryson (formerly) in China @ 2:17 AM Comments: 0

No Dog Next Month

In an effort to not offend visitors, Beijing is ordering that dog meat be removed from menus for the next month, through the Olympics. Note that the article goes on to say that there was no mention about the often offered donkey meat.

I wonder if some of the other foods available in Beijing will continue to be offered for the next few months. See this slide show of treats.

Labels: dog meat, Life in China, Olympics

posted by A Bryson (formerly) in China @ 9:15 PM Comments: 0

Olympics Info

Many people ask me about the upcoming Beijing Olympics. Two recent articles I have come across shed more light on the issue:

• First read about how Beijing is trying to orchestrate the event in more ways than one.

• Then, read about how blogging may be impacted. And note, that I was never able to access this very blog while in China, but I could previously post through blogger.com as it mentions.

It is definitely going to be an interesting event to watch, in more ways than sports alone.

Labels: Life in China, Olympics

posted by A Bryson (formerly) in China @ 5:32 AM Comments: 0

Now Teaching Fan Etiquette

First it was learning to queue in preparation for the Olympics. Now they are teaching the Chinese how to behave at international competitions. Hearing how some of the things went with the recent golf tournament nearby, and seeing how many people act on a golf course, I can believe they need some training. Be sure to read this article from ESPN.com: Olympic cheering program hopes to stamp out bad sportsmanship

.

Labels: Life in China, Olympics

posted by A Bryson (formerly) in China @ 5:37 PM Comments: 0

Queuing Lessons Needed

Did you see that on Sunday, Beijing observed its’ first “Queuing Day?” It will be observed every 11^th of the month, to emphasize improving lining up to wait for buses, tickets, or whatever the queue. They are trying to improve the etiquette around Beijing, prior to the world descending on the city for the 2008 Olympics.

The Chinese need some help on this little simple act of politeness. Go almost anyplace, and it seems more like a mob scene than anything organized. I have basically learned you don’t get anything unless you act like everyone else and just push your way to the front or speak up to get an attendant’s attention. Take McDonald’s: I’ve many a time been to the front of a line, to just have person after person push in front of me. And no one seems to mind. The attendants just help the person that speaks loudest and is pushiest.

Bill Bryson wrote that the French were really great at lining up in a straight line for buses, but that whenever a bus arrived, they just broke rank and all hell broke loose for whoever could fight to the front. In China they don’t even start with a line. It’s just a free-for-all for most anything.

When McDonald’s opened a drive-through service window, it was a joke. They drive like they walk here and everyone just breaks in lines and around you any chance they can. McDonald’s had to block anyone from being able to break in front after the ordering station, so cars remained in proper sequence.

Beijing may be getting better now with the “Queuing Day” efforts. I just hope they bring the queuing lessons on down here to Dongguan someday soon!

Labels: Beijing, China, etiquette, Olympics, queuing

posted by A Bryson (formerly) in China @ 11:33 AM Comments: 0