Trek The Unknown

I’m here in China for already 6 weeks. And although It’s already was quite a while, new experiences do arrive. I’m thinking of developing some business here in china…whenever I read about china’s business culture I read about toasting for the guest…

yesterday I moved temporarily to a friends dorms in the university of Dalian. He offered me to stay here for a couple of days and I appreciate this very much….So last night we all went out for beer. I’m not such a good alcohol drinker…

when I arrived at the restaurant they were all there..and 4 empty bottles on the table. We were 5 people total…when I sat there, They all honored me with a “gang bei” ( litaraly means, empty glass).

some rules:

1. you have to look at the other person’s eyes when toasting with him.

2. If 2 of the people at the table are toasting you don’t have to join if you were not invited.

3. you have to finish the glass ( And preferably before the person who invites you to drink finishes his) till it’s end, unless you were given a permission not and just take a sip.

4. Last one is not rule but an important conclussion: I didn’t know I can drink so much beer! but, I was sooooo dizzy afterwards!

So Each of the people sitting to the table is toasting for you and you have to finish your glass. meaning that you drink the most. here’s a way to make business!

here is a picture from that night ( we had no camera therefore it’s the cellphone quality) . The owner of the restaurant is the guy in the middle, who joined us forthe pic and a few drink

Many westerners had the pleasure of bargening in many countries for differnet products they buy. It’s ALWAYS part of the trip.

When arriving here I started my bargening as follows:

seller: qoutes a price

me: “Tai Gui Le” ( too expensive) - offer a price 30%-40% precent less

seller: nodding his head for no…and offer some other price…etc’…

eventually the price would be 25% off the original one. Whenever I finished bargeinig I felt that I paid to much….My family always gave me the feeligng that I padi to much also…

Then, Fiannally I got it. Bargening in this country should go like this:

seller: qouting a price

me: me: “Tai Gui Le” ( too expensive) - offer a price 80%-90% less

We would finish with 60%-70% off the original price!

Got it?!

For the past 5 weeks I’ve been living with my sisters family, here in Dalian. This time is now over since they are leaving.

being here for more then a month was enough to make some friends here. I’ve met a bunch of students from Dalian Technology institute. I told them I’m looking for a place to stay after my family leaves, without even thinking about it they said I should come and stay with them at their dorms. I’m so happy about it. I’ll get the chance to know them even better, practice my Chinese and understand Chinese culture better. life is full with opportunities, you just need to be open to them.

Hey,

since I’m a couch surfing member, I decided to try my new couch surfing experience. I haven’t tried it yet.

Jinsheng is a couch surfer I met In Beijing. We met at KFC in Chaoyong district. Next month I come for a visit, k?