Social Life

Some Tips

The one prevailing traffic rule is no one hits anyone else so you can drive anywhere safely.
You must wait for the host to make a toast before you begin to eat.

Nothing will surprise you !

Nanjing is a bustling, modern city emerging from its rural roots at an
amazing pace. Although it is uncommon to see a farmer coaxing his
water buffalo beside a six lane expressway right in the heart of the
Central Business District, it does happen.

A Very Unique Culture

You will have the opportunity to experience a different culture with a
long history, ancient traditions, and a very different philosophy of life.
There are a million things to do and see and try for the first time in China,
however living in China also carries a certain responsibility. The
predominant attitude of the people of China is similar to that of
pre-1950s West. The common mores and morals are equivalent to
conservative western values, so that foreigners are more restricted than
its citizens in some matters.

For example, we must register with the police upon arrival. We also
receive higher salaries, better housing facilities, and have more
individual freedom than the average Chinese citizen.

Students are aware of this, and extreme tact is necessary when dealing
with these issues. The public activities we engage in are very high
profile so people notice, remember, and comment on everything we do.
Making a spectacle of yourself is generally a bad idea anywhere, but in
China it can have serious repercussions for you and can affect every
foreigner in your city.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy yourself, only that you should
be aware of those around you and their customs as you are in fact a
guest in their country. Throughout your stay in China you will run up
against situations that are new and possibly unsettling. At times the
bureaucracy can be maddening and the attitudes can make you
downright angry. Just keep in mind that this is the way things are in
this society and keep your sense of humour.

Not surprisingly this is a great experience that you will find nowhere else on earth. We promise that you will soon appreciate it and have great stories to tell when you get home.

Daily Life

In many ways China has been greatly influenced by the West. In the
cities, a large proportion of people carry cell phones and even school
children have beepers. As technology becomes cheaper more and
more people are using advanced electronics in their work.

There are now very many private cars, western department stores are
common, and you can usually find anything you might need, but it
seems that the basic working of the system has not kept pace. There
are many things which happen here that could cause frustration
unless you keep reminding yourself you are in a developing country.

While most apartments are well appointed the exterior of the
buildings and the stairwells are not considered important. It's a little
disconcerting when you first arrive and see dirty stairwells but don't
think the apartments are comparable. This also means that you may
find yourself walking upstairs in the dark at times which is why many
foreigners carry pocket flashlights.

Calling overseas is EXPENSIVE from China. All calls, even local, are
charged by the minute. Everyone uses phone cards which are a little
cheaper but still not the best for overseas calls. Most people rely on
the internet which is available everywhere.

All schools do their best to help foreigners adjust to living in China
and there is always someone around the school available to show
you the best areas for shopping, sightseeing, or relaxing.

But based on past experiences with foreigners, here are some things
we think you should be warned about:

You have to change your own light bulbs.

If you need directions to a store to buy light bulbs then we're happy to help, but sorry, actually screwing it into the socket and throwing away the old bulb is something we think you can do on your own. (Please don't laugh, this has happened a few times.)

Your water may be turned off at odd hours.

This is a common occurrence in all cities during the summer and part of the winter as the drought season gets into full swing. In some areas it will be off for a few hours a day. It may also be turned off when the water system is being worked on. There is nothing to do but keep buckets handy or buy bottles at the store. You may have to take showers between 4:00 and 7:00 at night or go without. There is not a lot that can be done about this. It's just part of living here.

We try to find the most modern apartments for teachers but this is not always possible. The heating for most Chinese apartments is mediocre to say the least. Forget airtight windows and warm toasty floors, winters in China can be cold. Get used to wearing a sweater at home.

Keeping it all in perspective

You are not in the West, this is not your country and you will not be happy if you can't look at things from a different perspective.

The social structure, what is acceptable behaviour, and people's reactions will be more than strange sometimes.

If you can't keep your sense of humour, then you're asking for high blood pressure and a negative experience.

Important Telephone Numbers

Ambulance	120	7213460
Emergencies	110	Foreigner's Section 552729
Fire	119
Directory Assistance	114
Police	110
Foreign Affairs Office of Police	7216795