User profile: CalMatt

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Forums > Living in Kunming > Let's Remember Where We Are

I like the trigger happy TV reference. Maybe we could persuade each bar owner in town to keep animal suits in storage for such occasions?

Good points, and I can see why some of you think it isn't a big deal. You're probably right, but I still think it's worth saying something about it. I spoke to the owner of Chapter that evening and he was shaken and quite nervous by his own admission. I can see why- he's just trying to run a business and doesn't want this sort of thing to happen.

And foreigners are certainly judged for behavior like this. I realize that the booze is cheap and the girls are cute and the life is easy and the weather is great but it's worth keeping in mind that there are likely to be repercussions if people keep treating their time in Kunming like they're on Navy shore leave.

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Forums > Living in Kunming > Let's Remember Where We Are

I wish it were as obvious to everyone else as it was to you, then we wouldn't have to worry these things happening. If you enjoy a good drama there are a handful of sewing circles around town that I'm sure could use a new member.

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Forums > Living in Kunming > Let's Remember Where We Are

One more thing- please avoid using this thread to inquire about what happened exactly, who was involved, who was to blame, or any other details. They aren't important.

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Forums > Living in Kunming > Let's Remember Where We Are

Hey folks,

I wanted to comment briefly on a bar-fight that occurred Tuesday at Chapter One. The details of the fight aren't important, nor are the players involved.

I think it's pertinent to remember that we as foreigners are here as guests of the Chinese government. Our presence here isn't guaranteed by law, and at any time we can be asked to leave. This has happened throughout Chinese history, in fact, but I digress.

The point is when we behave like animals we show an alarming lack of respect to our hosts. Quite a few foreigners have built lives here with careers, spouses, and children. Whenever something like a fight happens, it casts aspersions on the entire community, fairly or not.

I'm the last person to tell people to cloister themselves indoors and avoid going out and having fun. But the next time something like this happens, I think it's apt to remember that we're not in our home countries, and that frankly that kind of behavior isn't acceptable.

Anyway, I hate to be a nag or a concern troll or what have you. I'm all for people going out and having a good time. But let's not embarrass ourselves, shall we?

-Matt

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I suppose I should have phrased my comment differently- what I meant was that while the Kunming shift change policy is annoying and probably somewhat less than ideal, it isn't completely illogical. When I was in Shanghai last month I asked a driver about the change and she told me they go one day on, one day off; so there's no real crunch time in the middle of a day.

Bucko,

Kunming's taxis are not even close to being the dirtiest in China, much less the world. Smaller cities across the country use vehicles that look like they've survived mortar attacks. Even in Chongqing, the cabs are so badly outfitted that ordinary speed bumps provide an uncomfortable experience for the passenger.

Actually, the taxi shift change, while annoying, makes sense because the period around 5pm-8pm is the busiest of the day. As a result, all taxi drivers want a piece of this time frame, explaining the need for the shift change.

Just as a point of clarification- the Prague Cafe in the north is now closed and will be until the 21st. Samoana, Wicker Basket, and Silver Spoon in Beichen will also remain closed through the holiday.

Hedgepig,

Not at all. My point is merely that with increased competition Yunnan may see a relative drop in demand for some of its agricultural products as imports from Southeast Asian countries rise. This is likely to lead to decreased revenue for Yunnan farmers, who still comprise a significant bulk of the provincial population.

My larger point is that free trade agreements as such create winners and losers and aren't uniformly positive developments.

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