These questions are in no particular order (and thank you to everyone who contributed).
Does it feel Communist? (Ingrid Argo)
Because of where I live and work and where I travel, most of the time it doesn't feel communist. But this week it did. I want to send some money back to Australia, so I can pay some bills etc. China does not like foreigners sending money out of the country, and they make it very difficult. First, you have to go to the Tax Office to get a certificate to prove you have paid tax in China. Then, you go to your bank with this certificate, your employment agreement, your passport, and your work permit and organise the transfer. You are also limited on how much you can send out of the country each year, plus you have to take all these documents to the bank EVERY time you want to transfer (with an updated tax certificate).
I started this process on Monday. It is now Friday, and my money is still sitting in my Chinese bank account (they had no record of me at the tax office). So yes, this week, it felt very communist.
How can you tell if the announcers are breaking codes training? (Kymba Cahill)
You would love this Kymba - not! Because all the stations are owned by the government (we simply partner with the government in each our markets), every station has a censor. Yep, that's right. Someone who is there to look over and/or approve everything that goes to air. In most situations they don't actually approve everything, or look at anything, but they are there just to keep everyone on their toes. Plus our announcers are very careful on what they say, because they don't want to upset the party.
Have you had any "what the f*** moments?" (Keith Tan)
I think my first real WTF moment happened in my first week in China. The team in the Beijing office went to Qingdao for the weekend as a bit of a team bonding session. Qingdao is a beachside city where most Chinese in the north go for their holiday. I spent the weekend, on a bus, going from one location to another, with a group of people I just met who could not speak a word of English. So, I felt very isolated during that weekend, and many times I asked myself "what the f*** am I doing in China?". But I soon realised that the team in Beijing were very shy, and reserved because they are all "office people", and felt a little intimidated. Things have got alot better now I have been to all the stations, amongst the expressive, outgoing people.
Are you a full-time squatter? (Dan van der Meer)
Dan, let's put it this way, I am not a full-time squatter and if presented with the choice of a normal toilet or a squat, I would always go for the normal toilet. But, I am now very confident with the squat. I have mastered the position, and like everyone in China, carry a supply of toilet paper with me(squat toilets never have loo paper). But, I do still get a little surprised when I use the squat toilets in some remote areas, because most of them don't have doors. I am still not sure of the no-door squat toilet etiquette. Do I acknowledge my fellow squatters when I walk in? Maybe with a simple nod. Not sure on this one.
What is the most bizarre food that you've eaten? (Ben De Jonge)
I had to think about this one for a few minutes Ben. Let's see. I have tried donkey, which was OK. I've eaten a ducks head (too many bones for my liking), but said no to the ducks blood soup. I also tried some goose, which really just tasted like chicken. Probably the most bizarre food to date would be jellyfish, which I ate last week. When it came out, I didn't know what it was, and the 2 people I was with didn't know the English word for it. All they could say was that it was from the sea. So, I looked up the word jellyfish on my Iphone app, and showed them the Chinese word. Yep, it's jellyfish. By this stage I had tried it, and actually enjoyed it. Oh, I just remembered. I had spicy chicken gizzards too.
How challenging is it developing a team with such a big communication barrier? (Blake Beale)
Very challenging. Most of the staff I work with on a daily basis don't speak English, so I am using a translator for alot of my communication. Things that could be explained in 30 minutes, end up taking alot longer because of the translation, and making sure everyone understands what I am saying. Most of the time, I will have to repeat things, because what we are doing is trying to change habits which have developed over time. There is alot of cultural change. Sometimes they fall back into their old ways, and we have to repeat the process. Most of the foundations of format radio and what we are doing have already been laid, it is now trying to get them to keep growing and to keep moving forward. It's very challenging, but it's also a very rewarding experience of teaching people how to do something that I take for granted.
What's the one thing you miss most about Western civilisation? (Matt Paton)
I suppose the one thing I miss the most is being able to go somewhere, anywhere, and no matter where it is people can understand what I'm saying, and I can understand them. Not many Chinese can speak English, so it really tests your will power and patience when you can't communicate. I am just about to finish my first 32 hours of mandarin lessons, and that has made it alot easier to communicate on basic things. I can order a meal, ask for a drink, I now know dates and times and money, and how to introduce myself, and ask for directions. But when confronted with something I don't know, it's very hard. Thank god for the great group of expats that I have met where we can talk with each other without using hand gestures.
One word of wisdom for someone moving to China? (Megan Bilaloski)
Be patient. Things happen when they happen, and not before. It is a big bureaucracy, a country of 1.4 billion people, and it will test your patience. I am now used to getting on planes (on time), and then the plane sitting on the tarmac for 60 minutes "..due to air traffic congestion." I'm used to waiting in line at the train station to buy a ticket, and for every Chinese person to push in front of me. I have learned to use my shoulders and elbows getting on and off trains, because they don't wait for anyone. You want to get on that train, you have to elbow your way through.
Be patient.
Next week: What is the most inspirational thing, and the saddest thing, I have seen so far? What did I find weird when I first arrived, and now take for granted. Plus, Jo Macarthur asks the big question, "Do they have honey chicken in China?".
I will leave you with one of my favourite photos. This is me singing karaoke with the programming team in Hefei. I think I was singing a Billy Joel song (no surprises really)
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