I just read a forum post where several expats in Shanghai were saying that 10,000 RMB per month is not enough for an expat to live here comfortably. That 10K RMB pay is on top of what’s typically included in an expat package (rent and flights home paid for, sometimes more).
So I did a bit of calculation of my own to see what my monthly cost of living is like. Here’s a breakdown.
I went to get a haircut at a small shop just a couple blocks from my place. Asked how much and the owner lady said 40 RMB for wash and cut. Kind of expensive for a haircut in China, but this barbershop looked rather nice so I thought what the hey, I’ll see what it’s like here.
I sat down and a girl asked me what kind of water I want. I said regular drinking water, thanks. So she got me some water in a small cup, and asked me again what kind of water. Apparently in China, the word for water (水, shuǐ) can mean different kinds of liquid, and she was asking me what type of shampoo I want her to use on my head.
So she was washing my hair and it turned into a head massage, which is normal in China. After rinsing my hair, I thought the haircut would be next. Nope, she cleaned out my ears with cotton swabs, which was sort of embarrassing because chunks of wax came out. Then came the face and neck massage, followed by shoulders. Then left arm, hand, fingers. Then right arm, hand, fingers. And finally the back.
I came in expecting a 10-minute haircut but ended up getting a wonderful 45-minute massage from a little girl who’s way stronger than she looks. I’ve had this sort of massage at a haircut parlor before but never this thorough. Oh my my it felt great! Especially the shoulders. I should have gone there right after karting last Sunday. Next time.
Sorry no photo for this post. I was too comfortable to move.
I’m going back to Fremont in a week, but I’m thinking of just moving to Shanghai the next time I come. This is the kind of stuff I can’t just think out in my head. Have to write it down. Okay, pros and cons of moving to Shanghai. I think I’ll start with the cons.
CONS
PROS
Fremont or Shanghai. Hmm. Just kidding that’s way too easy. If I don’t move to Shanghai, I’ll probably move to Los Angeles. LA is also a megalopolis with fobby girls. So, Los Angeles or Shanghai? Hollywood or Bittorrent? Mickey Mouse or Chairman Mao? Mexico or China?
Remember I got a horrible haircut so I decided to redo it myself with my sister’s help? Well 2.5 months have passed and I now look like this.
I recently got a haircut from a local Fantastic Sams Hair Salon. The barber didn’t know what the hell she was doing. It was bad. It was so bad that I decided to just shave off most of my hair.
I had my sister help. We didn’t know what we were doing either so we just kept shaving and ended up with what you see below. If you have a Facebook account, you can add me and see a video clip of it here. For some reason I couldn’t get it to work on YouTube.
