Job Discussion Forums

[baltomatt]

I am leaving at the end of this week to teach at a high school in Xi'an for a year. I'm trying to take 2 checked bags and a carry-on. Any advice on what to take and what to leave/store/donate? The dress code in the contract says "smart suit, smart trousers, and leather shoes." I don't want to overpack, but I don't want to forget something I might need, either.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[Jeremiah]

Fruit of the Loom undershirts, as well as wash clothes to wipe your brow. (You could buy the rags here though.)

I just got back from a week in Xi'an and it is hotter than hades there. Of course, you may be different, but, I tend to sweat and usually wear a t-shirt under my collared shirt when out and about.

I always carry a rag with me to wipe the sweat from my face. They are also useful for cleaning tables etc...

I'm not sure about the "smart" dress requirements. During the warm weather seasons, I generally wear sandals, shorts and a collared shirt. Cool/Cold weather = pants et al.

The collar isn't specifically required, but, I am a professional!

Other things you might consider = deodorant, cologne and candy, red licorice in particular.

[Miasaurus]

FLOSS. Floss floss floss. It is very hard to find, and not any cheaper. I second deodorant - I just don't like the kinds they have over there. Ditto for q-tips, I think they're small and weird, so I prefer to bring some from home.

Since this is a general packing thread, I will add for the ladies: make-up if you prefer Western brands, buying something like Lancome is ridiculously expensive in China. A nice dress that is NOT black to wear at weddings. You may want to bring some tampons in your suitcase to hold you over until you find a store that carries them (depending on your location, that may never happen), if you use them.

[Laurence]

take some photos of your friends and family and your hometown

(remember facebook isn't accessible without special software or dirty gateway websites)

[thessy]

You can find *most* things in Xi'an, but it comes down to how hard you look and how much you are willing to pay.

What you need to take depends on you! What your habits are, whether you are male/female (Baltomatt = Baltimore + Matt = Male?), what size clothes/shoes you wear, etc.

Floss is available at WalMart, Vanguard, and Metro supermarkets in Xi'an but it is more expensive than back home.

Deodorant is available here, but it's almost always just the aerosol kind and it's quite pricey.

I have never heard anyone mention Q-tips before but I completely agree with that. I buy two big boxes of Q-tip brand cotton swabs every time I take a trip back to the US.

I have seen people on this board claim big shoe sizes are available here but I have never seen anything bigger than a 44/45 (US 10.5-11.5).

Thick socks are a good idea. Socks are easy to find on the cheap here but they are generally very thin. Xi'an gets quite hot in the summer but most winter days do easily get below freezing and it does snow on occasion.

If you have questions about the availability of anything specific in Xi'an let me know!

[SandyG20]

Men have it really easy when they pack their clothing. They can get away with little variety in clothing. Ties must be a pain though.

So ladies - what is good to wear to weddings? I was going to bring a black dress - I had forgotten that is bad luck in China. Don't know if I will get asked to any - but it would be awful not to be able to attend because I didn't have a proper color. Is a black dress okay for other dressy events?

[Laurence]

[kev7161]

Nevermind the Wal-Marts and Carrefours and Tescos where one can find *almost* anything they'd like. If you live in a sizable city (and I would think Xi'an would count) there must be a Watsons or three around. At Watsons you'll find almost anything for smelling and looking nice. Yes, as a reminder, almost any imported name brand anything will be more expensive here in China than back home, but there is also the Watsons brand that is generally cheaper (but not hugely so) and they often have sales on this and that. You'll find your cotton swabs but don't know about Q-tips. You'll find a goodly variety of deodorant from roll-ons to solids to aerosols. You'll find women's hygiene products and make-up and floss and toothbrushes and even a few food items (mostly snacky junk foods). Don't get me wrong, I agree with what most are saying about bringing your favorite . . . whatever from home, but you CAN find almost anything at one of the major chains floating through China these days . . . at a cost of course.

I think newcomers are freaking out because they think China is some backwards country that only has rice and chopsticks and it's just not so. Suzhou is a middling sized city (compared to its neighbor, Shanghai) and we have all the stores and restaurants one could ever want scattered throughout the city. If you ARE coming into some teeny-tiny place then pack well and pack wisely. If you are coming into a metropolitan, just bring your money you WOULD be spending back home on these things (and then bring a bit more), convert it into RMB and shop away once you get here. Better yet, most major store chains will take your Visa or Mastercard.

[dharma86]

Imodium (Loperamide).

Any cold and flu medicines you find useful, bring those!
You can get really good cough syrup in China.

Thick socks for the Xi'an winter.

[nickpellatt]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=83456

Similar thread on the 'off topic' forum. Worth reading. I should just ask '2 CHECKED IN BAGS????' Absolutely not needed IMO, dont overdo it and pack everthing you own!

[thessy]

Over the counter medication is a good suggestion. *Some* (tylenol for example) can be found here, but it's cheaper back home and so small so in my opinion there's no reason not to pack them.

As Kev mentioned many personal items can be found at Watsons, of which there are several in Xi'an. The most local one to me does only carry aerosol deodorant though.

I disagree that two checked bags is overkill unless you wear toddler size clothing, can/want to buy everything here (especially untrue of a first-timer), or enjoy a rotation of two pairs of pants.

Many things are available here, absolutely, but it isn't always easy to find them. I didn't know that there was such a store called Watsons when I first arrived, and I certainly didn't know what they sold or have the slightest idea how to get there - or to get anywhere for that matter. Had I not packed deodorant, I'm quite sure that I would have been walking around stinking up the joint for several weeks at minimum before discovering Watsons.

Also a checked second bag is usually free. If you already own something you're likely to need and you can bring it with you for free, why leave it at home and buy another one here? Lugging around a second bag isn't easy, but is an hour (or less) or needing to juggle two bags not worth having double the supplies from home? Comfort factor alone made it well worth it for me. I still check two bags when making return trips home/coming back every year. Clothes can sometimes be made on the cheap here...or we can bring things we already have and not spend any additional money. Imported foods and personal items can sometimes be found here...or we can pack them with us and not pay a 100-400% markup.

[nickpellatt]

I dont think I own enough to even fill an extra bag I just looked online and an extra checked bag isnt free with Virgin (who I fly with) but its pretty cheap and so wouldnt be cost prohibitive. Maybe its just me, I prefer to travel light. An emotional decision as well as being practical.

Anyway...I came back into this thread to post another suggestion. An odd one perhaps, but consider packing a pillow from home! I normally have a nice. favourite pillow and I sleep on it all the time! Nothing is more important to me than a good nights sleep, so I have often packed a pillow (although that does take some room in that single bag I take). A pillow thats as padded as a wafer biscuit doesnt cut it for me, and I think I have taken pillows from home to a couple of different places.

[baltomatt]

I agree--I'd rather take less than more. But paring down from a 3 bedroom house to a couple pieces of luggage is proving to be both a logistical and emotional headache. I just need to be brutal about what I need vs. what I'm used to having around. That said, I'm sure the experience will be liberating in hindsight.

[nickpellatt]

Im sure you will have a great experience, liberating or not.

I dont think you need to be brutal .. just realistic! Interested to know where you are working to need a suit?

Anyway ... unless you are a real fashion victim type, you probably dont wear that many different items of clothes back home, and if thats the case, you dont need to pack so much. Anyway, good luck with it, and if you have a great time, come back and tell us all about it, and do the same if you have a bad time so we know to avoid your employer!

[SandyG20]

Men can generally get away with less variety in clothing (Okay maybe I am generalizing). But men can wear suits to teach or for casual or just pants and shirts and the same kind of shoes.

Women on the other hand have to have dressy clothes (dresses, skirts, undergarments, dressy shoes, jewelry) then they need suits, dress and casual pants, dress and casual shirts, various types of shoes.

I know it sounds like I am generalizing - but it is reality - go into most department stores - the womens clothing section is always 2 to 3 times larger.

So yes! 2 checked in bags - lol.

Hey and maybe as time goes on I will get better at mimimalizing possessions.

I am in the process of getting rid of 95% of what I own (not just clothing) so I think I am making progress!