Yup. Another China trip thread.

fishgutzy

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2016
Messages
8,543
Location
Behind Enemy Lines.
Rating - 100%
6   0   0
3 weeks this time.
A recruiter I've been working with told me that things are opening up. A company that has a freeze is kidding it soon, most likely by the time i get back.
They have an opening for my skill set.
Fingers crossed.

I also told the China bosses that they need to pay more attention to how they choose my accommodations. Let them know that the last trip was, by far, the worst of any trip. Gave them some parameters. Hopefully they meant it when they said they would not let that happen again.

If they follow through and actually do whay I suggested for accommodations, them I'll consider giving a 2 week notice when i get a job offer. If not, maybe just a day or 2 notice. [emoji16][emoji16]



Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
I don't know how you tolerate the travel. I hate business travel and none of it is as grueling as China.
 
I don't know how you tolerate the travel. I hate business travel and none of it is as grueling as China.
Comes Down to paying the bills. I've been applying and interviewing for the last 3 years. Trying to find something that isn't just "better than being unemployed."
I vent and complain. I keep applying. I even interviewed in California.
If my wife and son didn't have the health conditions they have I'd be more willing to take risks.
I really do need to keep up with the swimming when I'm in China. It helps keep me sane and raises my threshold for BS tolerance.


Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk
 
3 weeks this time.
A recruiter I've been working with told me that things are opening up. A company that has a freeze is kidding it soon, most likely by the time i get back.
They have an opening for my skill set.
Fingers crossed.

I also told the China bosses that they need to pay more attention to how they choose my accommodations. Let them know that the last trip was, by far, the worst of any trip. Gave them some parameters. Hopefully they meant it when they said they would not let that happen again.

If they follow through and actually do whay I suggested for accommodations, them I'll consider giving a 2 week notice when i get a job offer. If not, maybe just a day or 2 notice. [emoji16][emoji16]



Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

I just realized something, you don’t have any (or just a few)pictures from your trips.

I know it’s a business trip but you need to post some pics lol
 
I have in past trips. Last trip the walking route to the office was pretty boring.
Every time I saw a cat, I was thinking "more free range chicken." [emoji3]

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Take care and be careful, safe travels.
 
My mission for this trip is to stay positive no matter what.
If a see something that triggers my inner photographer, capture it.
Maybe give myself a writing assignment of describing a scene I observe in a way that a reader can visualize it without being there. I wad pretty good at this when I was in a college writing class. I wrote a paper about a homeless person I observed from a guard post seat inside a building on Boylston street in Boston.

I have spent too much time on these trips focused I everything I don't like about traveling to China.
So this trip I will focus on and post positive observations and musings I the cultural differences and human similarities that govt can suppress.

One note regarding the return trip last Monday. An elder Chinese couple sitting next in the flight from Shanghai sole little English. It wad obvious they hadn't flown this particular aircraft before. They were having trouble figuring out how to find the movies on the touch screen. I didn't need to speak Chinese to be of assistance to them. After helping them, we chatted in what little English he could.
It was a pleasant flight. (Much more so than a flight sitting next to an American of Iranian descent that forgot why her parents fled Iran.)

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk
 
Arrived in Shanghai astound 2am NC time. 12 hours ahead here. 2pm.
The apartment this time is much closer to the office, <0.5km.
(It is a shared unit again. Cabinets and fridge are full of other people's stuff.)
Got the air mattress set up by 4. Watched an episode of tin star then had to roll over and sleep. Too tired to get any real food. Just a Paleo bar for dinner.
Woke up at 8:45.pm. Chamomile tea and reading Huntress Moon.
Lots if fictional death on my trip.

Tomorrow I'll hit Will's Fitness. Then my plan is to workout in the weight at 7am before work, then swim after work.



Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Insta pot is very popular here. 2 of them on the counter in the kitchen.
MY wife uses one at home when I'm over here because it is easier when cooking for one or two.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Glad you got there safely.
Be careful.

I still need a little Chinese archer lady if you can find me one that likes old men.
 
Funny thing is, almost every trip, I see an obvious green card coupling. Old man, young hot Chinese woman. Pretty sad really. Unless the old man is getting paid really well.
Glad you got there safely.
Be careful.

I still need a little Chinese archer lady if you can find me one that likes old men.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Funny thing is, almost every trip, I see an obvious green card coupling. Old man, young hot Chinese woman. Pretty sad really. Unless the old man is getting paid really well.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
I will "work" for cash :eek:.
Just not interested in sponsoring an entire family.
 
I will "work" for cash :eek:.
Just not interested in sponsoring an entire family.
I was a +1 at strange wedding. The bride was American, blonde. Groom wad a rich guy from the Middle East or Egypt. Didn't speak a word of English and she didn't speak his language at all. She hooked that they talked with their hands. Reception was at the Harvard boat house club. So definitely some big bucks in that 'love' equation.


Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
The boss did listen. Much shorter walk to the office this time.

Now Down to work. Gonna be busy. That should make the time fly.
Hopefully I get a call or too from numbers I don't recognize while I'm here. Other than junk calls that is.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Got a phone interview coming from a company in Greensboro. Finger crossed. Might have to wait until I get back home for the initial call with the hiring manager.
Also got a contact from a recruiter for something in W/S. But that one is far outside my area. I'd still go for interview if asked.
 
The plus side of being generally frugal is that I never come close to spending all of my per diem in China. It isn't much. $16/day, or 100RMB.
So, I'm now walking around with ~4500RMB, that's about $750 cash. I never have that much cash on me at home.
I'll cash a bunch in and put it in the OBX trip cookie jar. Got the once every 6 years family trip to OBX in July.
We'll be staying at a house that is a short walk from Dare Devil Pizza. 16 of us. 3 generations of family.
 
Hopefully I get a call or too from numbers I don't recognize while I'm here. Other than junk calls that is.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Oh, the excitement of "is this an HR person setting up an interview?" to "this is your final warning from the IRS, if you do not settle the fine against you, a warrant for your arrest will be issued."
 
The plus side of being generally frugal is that I never come close to spending all of my per diem in China. It isn't much. $16/day, or 100RMB.
So, I'm now walking around with ~4500RMB, that's about $750 cash. I never have that much cash on me at home.
I'll cash a bunch in and put it in the OBX trip cookie jar. Got the once every 6 years family trip to OBX in July.
We'll be staying at a house that is a short walk from Dare Devil Pizza. 16 of us. 3 generations of family.

I would rather stay in China than spend time with that much of my family.
 
So, If you don't mind me asking... what is your area of expertise? No biggie if you can't/don't want to divulge. Just curious.
 
So, If you don't mind me asking... what is your area of expertise? No biggie if you can't/don't want to divulge. Just curious.
I design components for mobile devices. Specifically switches for T/R, band select, and antenna tuner functions.
If you only knew what it took to make your smart phone work anywhere in the world. :D
 
Boss called me into the office today. Somebody might be leaking to him Or he is spying on me somehow.
This was the first time he ever talked about paying cash travel bonuses. Also, with the increase in activity he said I will have to travel more but with travel bonuses. He had to get in the "I'm a nice guy for letting you have time with your family" stuff but it doesn't get to me.
It would be nice to go home with a wad of cash this trip. Even better if it something just under the limit. That would go right to paying of a chunk medical debt on credit cards.
Sit down later with the bosses to discuss things. I'll update if it is worth sharing.
 
I guess I should fess up. Your boss contacted me and offered a limitless supply of ramen packets if I'd report to him on your CFF posts. Please don't hate me for caving. :cool:
 
Ha!
TheRe are actually Ramen restaurants here.
Also dozens that sell crawfish meals.
I guess I should fess up. Your boss contacted me and offered a limitless supply of ramen packets if I'd report to him on your CFF posts. Please don't hate me for caving. :cool:

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
I guess I should fess up. Your boss contacted me and offered a limitless supply of ramen packets if I'd report to him on your CFF posts. Please don't hate me for caving. :cool:
I cant believe you sold him out for 12 bucks worth of noodles...
 
Just had the meeting with the bosses. To say it further encourages me to consider taking a big cut in pay if needed to take another job is an understatement. But remained happy face and "cooperative." Did a good job hiding my true feelings.

They want me here in China 60 days at a time, the max my visa allows. Followed by a month at home. They want this cycle for the next year. The prize? A $3k bonus per trip. Ha! $3K to be away from home and family for 60 days.
They also let their hand show too. It shows how important they believe I am to the success but are still unwilling to compensate accordingly.
But it pays the bills for now. I'll keep the recruiter busy. And keep applying elsewhere until I get something else.
And I absolutely will not let them piss me off like I have before. That only makes me miserable.
 
Just had the meeting with the bosses. To say it further encourages me to consider taking a big cut in pay if needed to take another job is an understatement. But remained happy face and "cooperative." Did a good job hiding my true feelings.

They want me here in China 60 days at a time, the max my visa allows. Followed by a month at home. They want this cycle for the next year. The prize? A $3k bonus per trip. Ha! $3K to be away from home and family for 60 days.
They also let their hand show too. It shows how important they believe I am to the success but are still unwilling to compensate accordingly.
But it pays the bills for now. I'll keep the recruiter busy. And keep applying elsewhere until I get something else.
And I absolutely will not let them piss me off like I have before. That only makes me miserable.

I'd counter offer and tell them $3k more per week in China sounds fair.
 
I'd counter offer and tell them $3k more per week in China sounds fair.
The China bos loves throwing around veiled threats. In this meeting he actually said out loud "is better than being unemployed. "
Either he really is spying in me or he was threatening in his usual passive way.
That is exactly how I subscribe this job. Better than unemployment.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
The China box lives throwing around veiled threats. In this meeting he actually said out loud "is better than being unemployed. "
Either he really is spying in me or he was threatening in his usual passive way.
That is exactly how I subscribe this job. Better than unemployment.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Well he does have a point. :(
 
The China bos loves throwing around veiled threats. In this meeting he actually said out loud "is better than being unemployed. "
Either he really is spying in me or he was threatening in his usual passive way.
That is exactly how I subscribe this job. Better than unemployment.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Not sure about you, but Im not really one for threats. When you know good and dang well if you tried anything they'd fire you in a heartbeat.
 
Watching Bosch at Newark airport.
Actually slept 4 hours on the flight. Been up all night in Newark.

Had a nice chat with a guy from PR who was on his way to the DR to visit his girlfriend.
The guy works in the explosives industry. From black powder to C4 for the gov't.

a4ad559a516cb09c0a89c1aff24bd7fd.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Back
Top Bottom