Job Discussion Forums

[myesl]

If you live in Guangzhou or Shenzhen, what can you tell me about the cities themselves (weather, pollution, degree of civilization, etc.) and/or in comparison to elsewhere in China?

Have you known foreigners literate in Chinese who have been able to successfully break out of English teaching and into Hong Kong or elsewhere (Singapore, Japan, Taiwan)?

Roger? ChinaLady? Others???

As always, thank you.

[cubit]

I lived in GZ for the previous two years.

Weather: Summer is freaking hot and wet. It is a humid heat so your clothes will stick to you and it is best to carry a sweat rag as it does not easily evaporate. The plus side is that, because of the sweat, a fan does a great job of cooling you off, save on the AC bill and dry throat by sleeping with no blankets and the fan on. Winters never get too cold, though the humidity and lack of indoor heating can make it feel so. You may want a space heater for the bedroom and another person to help you heat the bed. A few pairs of long underwear and a beanie.

Pollution: Try as hard as you can and you will still not get a sun burn, despite all the sun. The pollution must absorb all the UV. Had a non-smoking friend go back to Canada and get a physical; doctor asked him why he started smoking. It seems to me that most of the pollution comes from the traffic and the factories, not from burning coal like in the North. The ground does not turn black from coal dust and you do not come home smelling of it (unless you ride a lot of motor taxis). You can see a dull haze over the city most days. The best air is right after it rain and when they shut down the factories for a few days for some important event or visit.

Degree of civilization: I was not to impressed with it when I lived there, but after moving to a smaller city in the North, I realized that GZ is one of the more civilized places to live. There is not as much spitting, though still quite common. Everybody still throws their trash wherever they feel. But there is a difference when it comes to personal space. I notice that there is much more shoving and jostling for position here than in Guangzhou. The driving is much better in Guangzhou, as well. Lots of theft, pick pockets, and beggars.

I know some teachers who made the transition from teaching in China to teaching in HK or other Asian nations, but only a handfull to go from teaching to another profession while staying in Asia. Which transition are you curious about?

[Roger]

I go along with cubit's opinion in every respect, and I would add that what he said applies to Shenzhen as well.

The POLLUTION is such that these days you hardly see the sun out; when I was new here there were clear skies on at least one third of the year's days; now it must be down to fewer than 20 days!

CIVILISATION? I consider GUANGZHOU the more interesting town because it has history and some of its older quartersw are positively charming (try the Liwan District, Guangzhou's smallest, by the river next to Shamian island). BUt wherever you stumble across "old" structures locals whine and complain its "too old" and "ugly" - so it has to give way to newfangled moneumental eyesores and viewblockers, and that's definitely happening now in Guangzhou!
With "modern" buildings come new lifestyles, and such are usually introduced by migrants. Sad to say, but the behavioral patterns in this formerly lively city have gone to the dogs. Walking in the hustle-and-bustle of downtown Guangzhou is no pleasure what with all these selfish boors that ignore other pedestrians and bump their shoulders into you (a tip: hold up something with a sharp edge such as the end of an umbrella, a shish kebab skewer or an electric prod!) and people begin to give you a slightly wider berth...

As for FOREIGNERS who have made it into other spheres of employment, yes, Guangzhou has a few cushy opportunities to offer. I recently met a former FT who now is editor with a foreign-owned publisher that churns out books and mags here. Several radio stations have white or black announcers, and some bars seem to be partly in the hands of foreigners - think of the Sports Bar, the Elephant & Castle, as well as many ethnic restaurants (Italian, French, Arab, Turkish).
I am not so positive about Shenzhen, never liked that place (though I might like it a little better now). It's a migrants' haven and a city with no definite identity yet. Of late, the town has been the stomping ground of triads and gangs. Small businesses are often controlled by Hongkongers, and these are not seldom targeted by criminals (extortion money).

[myesl]

Thank you, Cubit and Roger.

Roger, is Shenzhen polluted? I had heard not, but that was just what I heard.

I should have been more clear on what I meant by 'civilization'. I mean spitting, blowing snot, peeing, and crapping. Well, more specifically I mean in public.

I don't know what I want to get into or how I will get into it, but I do want to get! I have what I dare to call good oral and written Chinese, but alas, I was a liberal arts major back at uni. I have sinned.

[Roger]

Pollution certainly doesn't respect any city limits or other borders! One of the world's most polluted environments is that of Hong Kong - it's got nearly no industry left, though... The surprise came a couple of years ago when it was discovered that in Chungtung New Town near the airport the air was dirtier than in heavily-trafficked Kowloon, which is more likely to be affected by downdraughts from Guangzhou and DOngguan!

[cubit]