Something I wish I had known before moving here -- China, specifically Shenzhen, is a veritable hot bed of serial killers. I made the mistake of reading this before I went to sleep, be careful. It's real life Criminal Minds! Except minus the B.A.U. So, mostly just a bunch of disgusting disgusting murderers and corrupt asinine officials.
The main, encompassing article: http://www.danwei.com/serial-killers-in-china/
An article from last week's paper, from a neighboring province :http://www.szdaily.com/content/2012-05/28/content_6781424.htm （just to prove the above article is true)
Enjoy...
Showing posts with label In the News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label In the News. Show all posts
Monday, June 11, 2012
The Chinese Kleptocracy
It isn't news to anyone that the Chinese government is insanely corrupt, but here's an interesting article that I've found about it.
http://brontecapital.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/macroeconomics-of-chinese-kleptocracy.html
Most of it is too ECONOMICS and makes my head hurt, but you'll probably do better than I did. It's in layman's terms, unfortunately my economics grasp is somewhat less than the average layman.
A decent and informative read if you have some down time.
http://brontecapital.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/macroeconomics-of-chinese-kleptocracy.html
Most of it is too ECONOMICS and makes my head hurt, but you'll probably do better than I did. It's in layman's terms, unfortunately my economics grasp is somewhat less than the average layman.
A decent and informative read if you have some down time.
Monday, June 4, 2012
TYNKWD, sidewalks and sky metal
Things You Never Knew Were Dangerous. Because I haven't done one in a while, this is a two part-er.
1. Walking on the sidewalk
I already knew sidewalks were not safe after being tapped by a car who didn't want to wait in traffic while walking on one in Beijing. Sidewalks in the US are precisely for the purpose of having somewhere to walk without cars, but not so here. Further evidence: A girl in Xi'an last month was walking home and with no warning fell through the cement sidewalk. There happened to be a 6 meter hole underground. Luckily for for her, a taxi driver saw it and heroically went down after her and made sure she was alright.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17827983
2. Driving your normal bus route (danger from the sky)
A bus driver was hit by a flying piece of metal the other day. He was severely injured when it came directly through the windshield and hit him, so much so that he died three days later. But amazingly he managed to pull the bus over off the highway and turn on the hazard lights, so no one else was injured.
The story: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/06/03/3287638/china-hails-bus-driver-who-saved.html
The video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJyWY2Fzzr8
That piece of metal really just flies out of no where.
Both of these storied just go to affirm the fact that living in China is a constant danger, even if you're being safe and doing something you do every day. It's a bit nerve racking. Literally anything can happen to you in an instant. It really gives one a new appreciation for safety regulations.
But we're coming home soon, so knock on wood.
1. Walking on the sidewalk
I already knew sidewalks were not safe after being tapped by a car who didn't want to wait in traffic while walking on one in Beijing. Sidewalks in the US are precisely for the purpose of having somewhere to walk without cars, but not so here. Further evidence: A girl in Xi'an last month was walking home and with no warning fell through the cement sidewalk. There happened to be a 6 meter hole underground. Luckily for for her, a taxi driver saw it and heroically went down after her and made sure she was alright.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17827983
2. Driving your normal bus route (danger from the sky)
A bus driver was hit by a flying piece of metal the other day. He was severely injured when it came directly through the windshield and hit him, so much so that he died three days later. But amazingly he managed to pull the bus over off the highway and turn on the hazard lights, so no one else was injured.
The story: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/06/03/3287638/china-hails-bus-driver-who-saved.html
The video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJyWY2Fzzr8
That piece of metal really just flies out of no where.
Both of these storied just go to affirm the fact that living in China is a constant danger, even if you're being safe and doing something you do every day. It's a bit nerve racking. Literally anything can happen to you in an instant. It really gives one a new appreciation for safety regulations.
But we're coming home soon, so knock on wood.
Monday, February 20, 2012
TYNKWD -- Security Guards
Things you never knew were dangerous, in this case by being simply inept and entirely useless -- security guards.
Several times we've witnessed scenes where in the US, or almost anywhere, security personnel would have immediately stepped in and taken action. And every time we've seen Chinese security guards... do nothing. It's amazing. They are possibly more useless than banks that can't make change for a Y20.
Example 1. While enjoying a latte at Starbucks, Thomas and I witnessed a young woman in a dramatic tantrum worthy of a soap opera. While we watched, she lay down on the ground and didn't move for 10 minutes, no exaggeration. However, there was a security guard walking around who saw it, so we assumed it must be alright. Just when we were getting concerned it was a health issue, she stands up and starts screaming at the man she was apparently with. Sadly, we have no idea what about and it has been the object of speculation ever since. They went back and forth for a while, with security looking on, and then he starts to walk away. At which point she flat out attacks him. He stops her, they talk some more, and then they storm away. During this entire exchange, security guards did nothing but join the gathered crowd to watch! Mind boggling.
Example 2. At a bar, several people had gotten entirely too drunk including a young woman. She had been falling down and acting plastered for a while. All of a sudden, she runs up to a man at the bar, grabs him by his hair, and drags him by the hair 10 feet across the floor. Drunk people jump in to help, and a small fight breaks out. During this fight, several people are hit and a large disgusting man even shoves a bystanding woman onto the floor. A security guard comes up, tells the woman to stop, she kicks him, and he steps back and does nothing.
This fight continues as several of the involved people make for the door, and re-erupts outside the bar. Again we aren't sure what was going on or why she was so mad at this man, sadly, but it made for an interesting show. An hour later when we were leaving, the woman and her people were still outside blocking the exit, and just inside the doors was a circle of security guards talking with each other. Again, doing nothing.
Example 3. In the paper today --
Many of the guards are not actual police officers. But do they call the police? Do they even attempt to help? Nope.
In summary, perhaps security guards are not dangerous. In fact, they are the exact opposite -- useless. The dangerous thing here is to be attacked in front of a security guard because they will do nothing. "I'll call the police!" just doesn't have the same threat that way.
China, China, China... Tsk tsk.
Several times we've witnessed scenes where in the US, or almost anywhere, security personnel would have immediately stepped in and taken action. And every time we've seen Chinese security guards... do nothing. It's amazing. They are possibly more useless than banks that can't make change for a Y20.
Example 1. While enjoying a latte at Starbucks, Thomas and I witnessed a young woman in a dramatic tantrum worthy of a soap opera. While we watched, she lay down on the ground and didn't move for 10 minutes, no exaggeration. However, there was a security guard walking around who saw it, so we assumed it must be alright. Just when we were getting concerned it was a health issue, she stands up and starts screaming at the man she was apparently with. Sadly, we have no idea what about and it has been the object of speculation ever since. They went back and forth for a while, with security looking on, and then he starts to walk away. At which point she flat out attacks him. He stops her, they talk some more, and then they storm away. During this entire exchange, security guards did nothing but join the gathered crowd to watch! Mind boggling.
Example 2. At a bar, several people had gotten entirely too drunk including a young woman. She had been falling down and acting plastered for a while. All of a sudden, she runs up to a man at the bar, grabs him by his hair, and drags him by the hair 10 feet across the floor. Drunk people jump in to help, and a small fight breaks out. During this fight, several people are hit and a large disgusting man even shoves a bystanding woman onto the floor. A security guard comes up, tells the woman to stop, she kicks him, and he steps back and does nothing.
This fight continues as several of the involved people make for the door, and re-erupts outside the bar. Again we aren't sure what was going on or why she was so mad at this man, sadly, but it made for an interesting show. An hour later when we were leaving, the woman and her people were still outside blocking the exit, and just inside the doors was a circle of security guards talking with each other. Again, doing nothing.
Example 3. In the paper today --
A 20-MINUTE camera video clip showing inaction by a security guard while a middle school student was attacked by a dozen other youths has drawn wide criticism from the public.
The video clip showed the student was cornered and attacked Tuesday in front of the security office in Songquan Middle School in Luohu District. Twelve or so youths slapped, kicked and threw cigarette butts at the student, the video clip showed.
The security guard who witnessed the incident later explained he was alone in the office while on duty and was afraid of the youths, who often hang around the school to collect Mafia-style protection fees and beat other students.
Many of the guards are not actual police officers. But do they call the police? Do they even attempt to help? Nope.
In summary, perhaps security guards are not dangerous. In fact, they are the exact opposite -- useless. The dangerous thing here is to be attacked in front of a security guard because they will do nothing. "I'll call the police!" just doesn't have the same threat that way.
China, China, China... Tsk tsk.
Monday, December 5, 2011
TYNKWD -- Competitive Pricing
In this edition of Things You Never Knew Were Dangerous, cheap vegetables!
It has been an ongoing news story here that a company, apparently government sponsored, called Shenzhen Central Kitchen Logistics, has been setting up mobile vans selling super cheap produce around the city. The idea is to feed people for less money, which seems pretty good.
However, stores already selling produce for pretty cheap are unable to match the vans' prices. They have become less than pleased as punch. How would this be handled in the US? I'm guessing some sort of legal battle, but I'm pretty sure the government wouldn't be allowed to pull this anyways.
How is it handled in China? Read on.
Paraphrased Shenzhen Daily report from 10.17:
Two employees of Shenzhen Central Kitchen Logistics were beaten by employees of a nearby shopping center and forced to leave the area for selling cheaper vegetables. Chairman of the shopping center the attackers work at later states in an interview, "It is illegal but reasonable to slap the van employees because the vans have taken our business. He is lucky he didn't die."
!! Lucky he didn't die?! Yep. These beatings have been going on with fair frequency, and from what I've read since this October article there are only about half the vans there were supposed to be by this time. Well, I guess the "reasonable" beatings are working.
Read an article from the end of October here. I can't find a link to a more recent article at the moment, but things haven't gotten any better for the poor van workers! I'll keep following the story and let you know what happens.
In the meantime, remember that Competitive Pricing is a Thing-You-Never-Knew-Was-Dangerous!
It has been an ongoing news story here that a company, apparently government sponsored, called Shenzhen Central Kitchen Logistics, has been setting up mobile vans selling super cheap produce around the city. The idea is to feed people for less money, which seems pretty good.
However, stores already selling produce for pretty cheap are unable to match the vans' prices. They have become less than pleased as punch. How would this be handled in the US? I'm guessing some sort of legal battle, but I'm pretty sure the government wouldn't be allowed to pull this anyways.
How is it handled in China? Read on.
Paraphrased Shenzhen Daily report from 10.17:
Two employees of Shenzhen Central Kitchen Logistics were beaten by employees of a nearby shopping center and forced to leave the area for selling cheaper vegetables. Chairman of the shopping center the attackers work at later states in an interview, "It is illegal but reasonable to slap the van employees because the vans have taken our business. He is lucky he didn't die."
!! Lucky he didn't die?! Yep. These beatings have been going on with fair frequency, and from what I've read since this October article there are only about half the vans there were supposed to be by this time. Well, I guess the "reasonable" beatings are working.
Read an article from the end of October here. I can't find a link to a more recent article at the moment, but things haven't gotten any better for the poor van workers! I'll keep following the story and let you know what happens.
In the meantime, remember that Competitive Pricing is a Thing-You-Never-Knew-Was-Dangerous!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
No commercials?!
Something that can happen in China and not in the US -- commercial free TV. This newspaper (Shenzhen Daily) is not known for its accuracy, specificity, or understandibility, but that seems to be the gist of the article. In fact, since this article actually names the firm it is far ahead of most that I read in this paper. Newspaper flaws aside, I know the Americans reading this will be jealous and I had to share:
| Ads to be banned during TV dramas |
| 2011-November-29 08:53 Shenzhen Daily |
CHINA’S top broadcasting watchdog has ordered a national ban on all TV stations airing commercials during TV dramas. The new ban will take effect Jan. 1, and all TV stations must rearrange their programs to delete all commercials during TV dramas or face strict punishment, said the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) on its Web site yesterday. A microblog survey conducted by Sina.com showed the majority of people are in favor of the ban. About 85 percent of nearly 10,000 respondents say TV commercials are so annoying that they support the ban. Some advocates complain there are now so many commercials that sometimes it’s like fragmented TV dramas are inserted into a nonstop relay of advertisements, ruining the viewing experience. Still, 11 percent of respondents opposed the ban saying the market should not be subject to excessive administrative regulations. Some questioned whether local TV stations would abide by the ban because it would allegedly cost 20 billion yuan (US$3.13 billion) in lost advertising revenue. The ban is among SARFT’s latest efforts to regulate the country’s once-rampant TV commercials. Last month, SARFT ordered a ban on sex-related commercials on radio and TV. The administration also said commercial advertisements should not be aired under the guise of a news report, or in the form of a news interview. (SD-Agencies) |
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Materialism in China
Materialism is a big thing around here. Every time a teacher has a new dress, it's the talk of the dining hall. If you ask a student what they'd like to do in America, they'll say "buy an ipad!" The teachers are found of specifying things like "You have a lot of pretty jewelry and I only wear this necklace, but mine is much more expensive I think." When a coworker and I met a guy who speaks English in line at the supermarket, her first question when he said he was a lawyer was "Oh, then you are a very rich man?" And what would the students bring if they were stranded on a desert island? "Money!"
I realize that the U.S. tends to be seen as the mother of all consumerism, but what I see here is on an entirely different level. I will spend money, yes, but I would rather spend money on a trip somewhere rather than a Gucci handbag. And they cost about the same.
This morning, while reading my favorite newspaper I found this gem of an article that perfectly demonstrates my point:
Shenzhen Daily, November 15, 2011
Shopping bags with luxury brands in vogue
I realize that the U.S. tends to be seen as the mother of all consumerism, but what I see here is on an entirely different level. I will spend money, yes, but I would rather spend money on a trip somewhere rather than a Gucci handbag. And they cost about the same.
This morning, while reading my favorite newspaper I found this gem of an article that perfectly demonstrates my point:
Shenzhen Daily, November 15, 2011
Shopping bags with luxury brands in vogue
An increasing number of white collar workers are following an emerging fashion trend in Shenzhen by carrying paper shopping bags with designer names to indicate they had bought luxury goods to show off to their co-workers.
The bags, with designer logos such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, or Cartier, are mostly replicas purchased from online stores, yesterday's Shenzhen ecoonomic daily reported.
This new trend was spawning a booming business for paper bag makers, the paper said.
A 24-year-old woman surnamed Gao carries two such bags to work every day, a bronze-colored bag with a Gucci logo for her lunch box and a red one with the Cartier logo for daily necessities, the report said.
She told the paper she bought the shopping bags online and the Gucci bag cost her Y120 (US$19) while the Cariter bag cost Y180.
"A few women co-workers fomr the rich families often show off their luxury acessories in the office and look down on us new graduates," the woman was quoted as saying. "I'm not a show-off person by nature, but I feel I have to adjust myself in this environment."
To save her face, she sometimes loosens her purse strings for a few small luxury accessories, but can't afford large items like handbags or clothing.
"Now I found a better way," Gao said. "Carrying such a shopping bag to work, other people often thing I bought luxury gooss and I feel good about myself."
....
That's right. Carrying your things in paper bags with designer logos so your co-workers will think (your lunchbox?) came from LV. This is so ridiculous I couldn't believe it. I admit, if these women really feel like they are looked down on for not having bought their handbag from Gucci then I feel sorry for them. But I just can't bring myself to sympathize.
My next obvious question being: communism?
Thursday, October 20, 2011
TYNKWD - Touching Lamp Posts
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce a new series of posts. Living here, I have become increasingly aware of the imminent danger we live in. However, more and more I am finding that this danger comes from not only the obvious sources -- for example, the exposed and violently sparking electric line on a metro a couple weeks ago -- but also from things you never knew were dangerous (hereafter: TYNKWD).
I will start this series with a special gem I found in the newspaper:
Touching lamp posts.
The following is a snippet from the Shenzhen Daily.
"A teenager was eletrocuted on his way home in a lane in Huangbeiling Village in Luhou on Saturday. he accidentally touched a lamp post and was electrocuted. He was pronounced dead by doctors at the scene."
No, I assure I am not cut and pasting this to sound the way it does. That is the information given. A teenager "accidentally touched a lamp post" and died immediately. Why? From what? No clue. Seriously, no more info was given than that, and the ambiguously haunting article is now causing myself and those I've shared it with to live in fear of accidentally touching the wrong lamp post.
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