ISpyShanghai

Your blog is keeping me truely entertained. A toast to the gentleman!

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

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.

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

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.

Loving your blog! love your humour haha.

i subscribed your blog and i like what you’ve shared on your blog.lol

Mate have you seen this? Seems there’s a misguided view that you have left China for good!

Woai- what the deuce! I’ve written to them and informed them of their error

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!

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

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!

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

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.

cool blog dude

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.

What a pity! No body knows!
If Chinese know… Hm… :]

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

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

Shanghai’s biggest streetdance battle! Special street dance and breakdance battle series with individual and team crew competitions. Mashup beats run through Dancepunk, Hip Hop (from Crunk Classics to Old School), Funk to Disco, Baltimore Club, Reggaeton to Dancehall

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.

Thanks a lot mate! be sure to check out Blue Frog, and Bon Bon sounds interesting as well.

Cheers

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

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

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

Noname, he’s full of holes like Swiss Cheese innit.

Hi James,

I know you write for shanghaiist and city weekend, so I am writing to ask if you also want to write for us.

Our site (www.echincities.com)is an English-language website that provides a comprehensive range of services and information for both international visitors and China-based expats.

We’are currently looking for English editors. It would be great if we can cooperate with you. Please send me email if you are interested in this.

Thank you for your time.

Regards,

Lily

Very entertaining blog… I am here for the semester, and I shall definitely keep reading

hi there

is it possible if u cud tell me about some wedding portrait photo studio in shanghai as hv not been able to find any in the google search. will appreciate it highly

thnx a ton

No idea about wedding portraits, sorry Angie.

I recommend you join the forum at Shanghai Expat and ask the people on there.

Hi Swiss James, I finally thought I found a swiss mate but now I see you are from England

Anyways, I have to saty a few weeks (or better months) in Shanghai and would be cool if we could go for a drink…

Actually I stay in a Hotel in Minhua distirict, what do you think about for a drink nect week?

Cheers

Hoc

Wiggy maybe if you posted more than once a month people would be more likely to see the posts!

Shoe Tuesday–definitely weird. But you give me an idea.

Really weird!! You have a shoe fetish! And the shoe music!

Fuck u whitiey..stop molesting little chinese kids..u dirtyEnglish paedophile

I think that’s spelt “whitey”

Tod - It takes one to know one.

WoAi - I think it’s the moustache

James - I think it’s because Tod is sexually frustrated.