Is there no FL (fvcked lao wai) site?

Groovin' in the Gaijin Gulag
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Is there no FL (fvcked lao wai) site?

Postby Socratesabroad » Sat Jul 17, 2004 11:43 pm

OK, I know full well that FG is a Japan-related site (and a good one at that), but now that I'm in China for a while, I've been searching for info on China and the FG mirror here :lol:

Needless to say, the search has proven less than fruitful. Sure, I could read more of the 'official' Chinese sites in English :zzz: And let's not get me started on all the blogs - sorry, but to me a blog seems like nothing more than an advertisement in vanity. Besides, I'd prefer to avoid the 'another foreigner discovers the mysterious and strange East' crap.

Anyway, if anyone has suggestions or ideas on good China-related sites and fora (that forums, for anyone like me ever forced to take Latin), I'd be ever so grateful...
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming...
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Postby SF'd Gaijin » Sun Jul 18, 2004 10:57 am

Dear Socratesabroad in TienJin,

I know I'm going to get myself into trouble for this, but I think it's going to be more difficult to find an F'd Lao Wai site similar to this Gaijin site. The bottom line is, if you are a Gaijin in Japan you are really F'd, while if so in China you are only a Lao Wai. I can't speak for TienJin or Beijing, but from what I've seen of Shanghai, it is really modernizing and opening up to the west. I've spent a lot of time in Taiwan living there for several years and find people there in general to be more open to foreigners, same goes for many other spots in Asia. When you have a liking for all things Chinese, you can talk about China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong or even places overseas, and each place has its own flavor. When you talk about things Japanese it is only Japan and it has one flavor. I have found most Chinese friends to be rather outgoing, but I've found it difficult to make lasting friends ala Japanese. Maybe it's only me, but I would want to use the words: xenophobic.

If you think about what I've just said, perhaps that's why such a Lao Wai site would be more difficult to find. That's why were all on the Gaijin site.

Hope you are able to find a good Lao Wai site, and if you do let us all know.

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Postby Socratesabroad » Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:13 am

Like I said, SF'dG, I looked around - and the pickins weren't good, shall we say. Which is why I still haunt this place, kind of like the Chinese-based version of Caustic Saint. At least I have a role model...
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Postby devicenull » Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:17 am

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Postby SF'd Gaijin » Mon Jul 19, 2004 5:58 am

Socratesabroad and Devicenull,

I know you are both studying and living in dorms in China (at least Device was half naked in his dorm last night - isn't that against dorm rules in China?). Socrates and Device, what are your first impresssions as Lao Wai, I would be interested as a longtime China scholar?? I know you are going to discuss the awful dorms, the heat, etc., but what about the country itself? I know that Shanghai is really wild at night and the women are really hot, but too bad you are not there, but rather in stuffy Beijing and TienJin.

Speaking of wild in Shanghai, what is your opinion of the beautiful Chinese women? As an longtime admirer, I find them delicious as you've got so many different flavors (just like the cuisine). Mainland, Overseas, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and in between.

You see, I'm already turning this into a Lao Wai Forum.

Both of you take care.

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Postby devicenull » Mon Jul 19, 2004 9:37 am

SF'd Gaijin wrote:Socratesabroad and Devicenull,

I know you are both studying and living in dorms in China (at least Device was half naked in his dorm last night - isn't that against dorm rules in China?). Socrates and Device, what are your first impresssions as Lao Wai, I would be interested as a longtime China scholar?? I know you are going to discuss the awful dorms, the heat, etc., but what about the country itself? I know that Shanghai is really wild at night and the women are really hot, but too bad you are not there, but rather in stuffy Beijing and TienJin.

Speaking of wild in Shanghai, what is your opinion of the beautiful Chinese women? As an longtime admirer, I find them delicious as you've got so many different flavors (just like the cuisine). Mainland, Overseas, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and in between.

You see, I'm already turning this into a Lao Wai Forum.

Both of you take care.

SF'd Gaijin


i for one love china, and at this point, if I had not dumped so much cash into my coming Japan study abroad in the fall already, I would probably stay here for a few years or so. The women, I love the women... but, in Beijing it is kind of weird, a lot of the girls I know are about as bad as Japanese when it comes to material possessions. Cant blame em, they live in beijing and are rich
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Postby AssKissinger » Mon Jul 19, 2004 9:59 am

The women, I love the women...


Do you think it's easier to score in China or Japan?
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Postby SF'd Gaijin » Mon Jul 19, 2004 11:58 am

devicenull,

i for one love china, and at this point, if I had not dumped so much cash into my coming Japan study abroad in the fall already, I would probably stay here for a few years or so.


I thought you might say that. China is really the place to be. What do you especially like or dislike about China vs. Japan?

AK,

Do you think it's easier to score in China or Japan?


I would say it's easier in China. In terms of sheer numbers there are more women in China than the entire population of the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and the rest of Europe combined. Besides, money goes a long long way in China.
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Easy Rider

Postby kurohinge1 » Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:14 pm

But don't let your ride take you for one ...

Shanghai ladies plucking Japanese posts
  • "This is the verdict: . . . " (John 3:19-21)
  • "It could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others" (Anon)
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Postby devicenull » Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:15 pm

one thing that i love here is just the attitude of the people. it is very laid back even here in Beijing. Sure, it is dirty, but it is a "lived-in" kind of dirt... the streets have character. copyright doesnt exist and things are cheap too.

what i am coming to love though is that they actually expect you to speak the language here. If you dont understand a damn word they just said, they are so american about it. they speak louder and slower as if you magically will understand them. If you can speak, you get no special attention. This is different compared to most Japanese I have talked to... A foreigner who speaks Japanese? A foreigner who speaks correctly and casually like most anyone else? What crazy shit is this? is the general reaction I get. Followed of course by the standard 5 minute conversation of how good I am, me denying it, them insisting, me saying that I am still learning, them saying I have learned enough and am fluent, me fucking up on purpose to show that I still have a ways to go, them pretending to ignore the intentional mistake... my standard comment for this situation is to complement them on their own japanese and ask them how long they have studied.

To be honest, I dont know why I love china like I do right now. I see much more opportunity here than in most places I have been to.
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Postby Socratesabroad » Mon Jul 19, 2004 4:02 pm

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming...
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Postby SF'd Gaijin » Tue Jul 20, 2004 1:37 am

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Postby Socratesabroad » Tue Jul 20, 2004 1:00 pm

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming...
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Postby SF'd Gaijin » Tue Jul 20, 2004 3:17 pm

Socratesabroad,

I figured TienJin must be the dumps, kind of in the middle of not the worst and not the best city to be living.

Since we have this Lao Wai thread going, I'll give you some background about myself. Well, a long, long time ago (January 1965) I started a two year tour of duty (US Navy) in Taipei, Taiwan. You see, back then you were either drafted and sent straight to Viet Nam, or you volunteered before you were taken. I kind of lucked out, and was able to work in Taipei for two years which was a great opportunity to learn Chinese. Back then, Mainland China was an enemy of the US and Taiwan and we were there to protect Taiwan. Spent a lot of time practicing with old soldiers from the Nationalist army who were ready to retire and civilians who worked in my office.

To make a long story short, that two years changed my life. Returning to SF, got a BA and MA in Chinese Language and Literature (took a year of Japanese as well). Married a lady from Taiwan who had worked with me in the office.

Now my son is 21 years old..just got back from Taiwan and Hong Kong after a visit. I tell him as I would tell you, that in the next twenty to thirty or more years the Chinese economy will be catching up to the US economy and jobs and opportunities will be plentiful.

The bottom line is you are doing the right thing with your studies.......and best of luck to you........and all of the other Lao Wai's.

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W00T!

Postby Taro Toporific » Tue Jul 20, 2004 4:06 pm

_________
FUCK THE 2020 OLYMPICS!
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Postby Socratesabroad » Tue Jul 20, 2004 10:11 pm

I didn't necessarily come to Japan by mistake, but then it wasn't planned either.

I had a rather convoluted arrival as well. I had studied ancient Japanese history in school but never had the chance to learn Japanese. At the time, the Reserves sent me through Spanish school instead. In fact, the first few trips I made to Japan were under orders - I was stationed in the Army in Hawaii and we came over and trained with the JGSDF in boondocks Japan for a few months at a stretch. Figuring Japan wasn't so bad, I did JET and then later joined a couple of Japanese companies, eventually ending up as a cog in Japan Inc.

Well, I hated being a peon with no future for advancement, so I chucked it in and decided to give China a go. I'm not so sure China will take over the global economy any time soon, but at least the lifestyle is a bit more relaxed...
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming...
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Postby voltage » Wed Jul 21, 2004 6:17 am

Hm, China. I plan to go there on my Spring break.

I love China. But not it's government and all the shady shit they pull.

I was supposed to study abroad there for a year last year in Beijing, but they pulled the program because of the SARS incident, and so I decided to apply for Japan.

I think each country has its own perks and downsides.

When I'm in Japan I freakin miss how good and cheap Chinese food is...bahhh.
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Postby SF'd Gaijin » Wed Jul 21, 2004 6:25 am

Taro wrote:
w00T! Hey Steve B, you and I are no longer the eldest on the FG!


Old is only in the mind...

Wish I was at Roppongi with Rob, or in Shanghai, or in Singapore, or in Taipei (not necessarily in that order). What a time we would have and all the way to the blue sky. It would be better if Miss Jen could join me.

Anyway, this thread is only for "Lao Wai"............................

or directly translated from Chinese as "Old Foreigners."

:lol:
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