Published by Swiss James on 23 Apr 2007
About me
This is my Shanghai life in words and pictures.
I am James a gentleman from England clinging onto his 20s, living as an expat in Shanghai making a living stealing batteries from electric scooters and selling them round the back of the Railway Station.
If you’re new to the site then you’ll probably find the whole Shoe Tuesday idea pretty weird. Me too.
The first one was a joke because I had two photos of people’s shoes and it happened to be Tuesday, but now I have spawned a monster.
Anyway please comment, comments make me happy.
Jack on 28 May 2007 at am #
Your blog is keeping me truely entertained. A toast to the gentleman!
Jack on 07 Jun 2007 at pm #
Hi there, me again. I’m coming to Shanghai this summer and need some advice on mobile phones. I don’t want to pay roaming rates all the time, am I best off buying one over there and getting on a Chinese network? Is this difficult to do?
Also, what about money? Will I be ripped off if I use my debit card over there to take out Yuan? Should I bring lots of GBP in cash and buy there?
Cheers,
Jack
Swiss James on 10 Jun 2007 at am #
Hey Jack- my bird says that a SIM card is just 50RMB when you get here, and your Britisher mobile will work just dandy.
Don’t bother with loads of GBP, just use your ATM card (it’s Visa right?) when you get here- travelling is dead easy these days mate.
Jack on 12 Jun 2007 at am #
James,
Cheers for the reply, my debit card is a HSBC Maestro. I have a barclaycard visa too, worth bringing along despite the higher fees? How are they about debit cards over there? What are withdrawal fees like?
Many thanks,
Jacko
Swiss James on 12 Jun 2007 at am #
Well HSBC stands for HongKong Shanghai err Bank Company or something- there are a fair few branches of it out here so I would think you’ll be fine using that one. Bring the Barclaycard if you know the PIN, it never hurts to have a parachute.
You get stung for a couple of quid whenever you make a withdrawal, and can take out whatever your UK daily limit is (the Chinese limit is much higher). There probably is a better way to do it, but there isn’t one that takes less effort- and at the end of the day, that’s laziness you can take to the bank.
Clare on 12 Jul 2007 at am #
Loving your blog! love your humour haha.
Joe on 05 Aug 2007 at pm #
i subscribed your blog and i like what you’ve shared on your blog.lol
Woaizhongguo on 20 Aug 2007 at am #
Mate have you seen this? Seems there’s a misguided view that you have left China for good!
Swiss James on 20 Aug 2007 at pm #
Woai- what the deuce! I’ve written to them and informed them of their error
Woaizhongguo on 20 Aug 2007 at pm #
So where did this come from then:
A blog I wrote while working in Shanghai for 15 months, looking at all the small details that make up the experience of living in a foreign country. Oh, and photos of drunkards who wet themselves.
Are you saying these are not your words?
How odd!
Swiss James on 20 Aug 2007 at pm #
I put something like, “A blog looking up the small details that make up….”. I’ve not been here for 8 months yet, never mind 15
kevin on 11 Sep 2007 at am #
i’ve been following swiss james around through his blogs and i can honestly say my work hrs tend to go bit faster. how can u possibly go wrong w/ a white dude cracking jokes about ddongjjim… anyhow, i’m a huge fan of this blog and keep up the good work, james!
frances on 29 Jan 2008 at am #
hey again
have to point out whilst you were offering your self for a taxi and arsing about in the snow i was reading god awful books about the 88 education act. i’m missing asia, but i’ll be visiting jie jie in a month, i got my visa and everything.
xxx frances
Swiss James on 29 Jan 2008 at am #
hey Frances! We’ve already got half your itinerary planned out, he ni de mama ye shi.
Can I just point out already that the water in the shower is really cold though so you might want to start conditioning yourself to that.
Jessie on 08 Feb 2008 at am #
cool blog dude
scouseroochi on 25 Apr 2008 at pm #
Hi James,I recently spent a week in Shanghai and had great time. Having not been there since1958 I knew it was going to be a real eye opener, and so it was. Some of the credit for my successful visit is due to your blog which I picked up on from Shanghaiexpats.
I followed up on many of your suggestions where to eat and wasn’t disappointed I especially enjoyed the steamed dumplings in Wujiang lu. “Better Than Movie World” was a huge temptation I eventually settled for 14 movie/music DVDs I was fully prepared to have them ’snatched’ by the customs here in Oz but was waved through and I must admit a huge sigh of relief. However, the gifts I brought back for my family were absolute winners- - - - -
the Buddha Boxes, I was able to figure out approx were these Buddhist shops where and with a little help from the staff at “The Spot” they directed me with a sketch.
I intend to follow your blog so expect a comment or two along the way.
I’m already looking at dates for a return visit to this fascinating city even as early as next year,if I do I’d like to shout you a beer.
By the way! on 16 Jun 2008 at am #
What a pity! No body knows!
If Chinese know… Hm… :]
Henry on 01 Jul 2008 at am #
So, i have a bunch of people who want me to take them out tonight; they travel back to England tomorrow…the thing is, i’ve never been out on a tuesday night!!!
if anyone has an idea of a good bar/club with open bar or discounted drinks (tuesday) or just some place that is happening tonight , let me know
cheers,
Henry
Swiss James on 01 Jul 2008 at am #
If you’re going out early, the Blue Frog and The Spot both have Happy Hours until 8pm. bonbon is always open bar, tonight they’re having
which could be good fun- think it’s 88RMB for guys, less for women.
But the bargain to end all bargains on a Tuesday is the open bar at Windows Underground- 50RMB for all you can drink- presumably that doesn’t include the Corona bottles, but it must include the Tiger, TsingTao and house spirits. They’ve got a pool table and good times in there, I recommend the place.
Henry on 01 Jul 2008 at am #
Thanks a lot mate! be sure to check out Blue Frog, and Bon Bon sounds interesting as well.
Cheers
Yao on 26 Jul 2008 at pm #
Hi James,
My name is Yao I am a writer for USC’s online magazine, U.S.-China Today (uschina.usc.edu/). I am writing an article about blogs written by expats in China. I think the topics on your blog is interesting and would like to interview you for my article.
We can conduct the interview through e-mail to make it more convenient for you. Please respond to me by e-mail.
Thank You,
Yao
Swiss-Rene on 14 Aug 2008 at pm #
Hi mate
Nice Blog, indeed. But why Swiss James if you are a pommy???
Nevermind. As for my part I’m visiting Shanghai with 3 other blokes in October for 5 weeks and will definately use your Blog as a guide to find the hidden secrets of the town. And who knows - maybe we meet somewhere…! I shout you a beer then…!
Cheers from a real Swiss mate
NoName on 06 Sep 2008 at pm #
Why are you called swiss james?
I was looking for someone from Switzerland and found you are actually English LOL
anyway, i just wanted to say hi
dingle on 06 Sep 2008 at pm #
Noname, he’s full of holes like Swiss Cheese innit.