Job Discussion Forums

Egas · Guest

We all know the stories about Chinese dishonesty and lack of morality. No doubt all of us have been ripped off and lied to at times. I know I have. But the Chinese can also be simply kind and generous. This year two incidents confirmed this for me. While in Hong Kong three months ago I left my wallett in the back seat of a cab. It had all my ID and credit cards, so I was stuffed. I was about to book into a hotel, and the people at the hotel told me to go to the local police station to report the wallett lost. I knew it was a complette waste of time, but I went to the police station anyway. While I was filling out the form the cab driver entered the room, and handed me my wallett back, about 30 mins after I'd left it in his cab! I also left it on the back seat, so some other person, probably Chinese must have found it, handed it to the driver. He went to the hotel, and they told him I was at the police station, so he went there and gave it to me! How many people in LA would do that!?

Then recently in Beijing I left my backpack in a cab. I put it on the front seat, then jumped in the back. I forgot to grab it when I left. The pack had quite a bit of gear in it. I realised after I got home that I didn't have the bag (I had three shopping bags too). I went back out to the street to where the cab driver had dropped me off. I waited there for about 20 minutes. There was nothing else I could do as I didn't have the receipt. Suddenly a cab pulled up, and the driver got out and handed me my bag! He refused to take any cash from me!

I must say I was deeply humbled by these acts of kindness. These cab drivers earn about as much in a month as I earn in 3 days. They could have taken my stuff, but didn't.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

So how many countries have bars on the first floor houses. I know this is common in South America. My OZ friends have told me likewise. In America, I don't know if I have ever seen it. But everyone knows how dangerous America is.

Which countries do, which ones don't?

The true reason people on the first two floors have bars on their windows is because people on the first two floors have bars on their windows. Simple as that.

Those with ears, let them hear

Anne-Marie Gregory · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2003 5:12 am Post subject:

Thanks Guruji for leaping to my defence. I have no reason to doubt my (very sensible) student's story about the knife-wielding burglar. Obviously I didn't go down to the local cop shop to check out the facts, but the student's story and some other students' reactions to it suggest it is true.

The whole business about bars on windows seems to be regional......here everywhere has bars, but I've lived in a bigger,wealthier city with a worse reputation for crime (though people will tell you it's to prevent burglary) that didn't bother with bars beyond the second floor...perhaps the suicide rate was lower Sad

Bertrand · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 293

Steiner · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 573 Location: Hunan China

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Well, Chinese windows are no match to any dedicated burglar! I wanted to install European-made burglary-proof windows - you can't smash them with an axe! It might even have become a good business, considering China's notoriety as an unsafe country. Then I learnt that CHinese would rather have ugly window bars "because that is traditional Chinese culture". And, they do not think it necessary to go beyond those silly bars.
Those I had in my first self-rented flat had a small section that opened like a door - apparently for the absent-minded tenant if he forgot his key!
WHich I did - forgetting my key. Although the door was a very sturdy-looking matter, it took a neighbour only two hits with a solid hammer, and it came off its bolt!
Do not forget to buy a new lock and keys when you move in a new apartment! The last tenant may still possess his key!