Introductions

Hi Boston, it's nice to meet you.  May I offer you your first drink of baijiu?    "Welcome you to China.  Where are you from? What's your name?  How much money do you make?  Can you use chopsticks?"  I'm not being rude, just helping you prepare for your arrival and the questions you must be prepared to answer on a regular basis.

George is still recovering after summer camp, so his bar tab is wide open. have a half dozen on him!!

Ruth - you forgot - "Are you married? Do you like Chinese girls?".

Welcome and what others said. Get ready to embark on a wonderful journey where all your perceptions appear to be wrong and all the things you thought to be wrong are right 

Ruth - you forgot - "Are you married? Do you like Chinese girls?".

You can also add: "How old are you?"

Welcome, Boston. 

"Do you like Chinese food?  Have you ever eaten it before?"

Welcome Spaghetti...so, you're a vampire, eh? However, your name implies that you enrolled in the UN "Fangs for Pasta" scheme, so I'll just hide this garlic and the stake under the table. Have a Bloody Mary on me...with extra Mary


Boston, welcome to Wonderland I mean China...be prepared for people walking up to you, saying "Hello" and then running away. Drinking beer from shot glasses (I use the term 'beer' as loosely as humanly possible)and getting used to not standing in line. China is fun, hope you enjoy it

A good Spaghetti is always welcome. Welcome aboard!!

Welcome, Boston!   I hear god things about Harbin (haven't been there in 21 years).  You'll find pretty much all you need to know in the Laowai Lending Library room; feel free to ask us about whatever you can't suss from there. 

I think you'll enjoy your adventure in the Big Silly.  Just plan it out, negotiate with your prospective school slowly and carefully, and pack a year's supply of deodorant, Justin Case. 

Hi all. My name is Mark. I also just graduated from college (University of Michigan) and am wanting to experience China firsthand since that is what I will be studying in grad school. I am moving to Harbin for a year to teach English at a University while taking Mandarin classes. I'm also hoping to take the GRE while I'm over there. It's gonna be a busy year.

Welcome to the Saloon, Primitive.  Harbin seems to be very popular all of the sudden.  I live 3 hours south of Harbin, so maybe we'll meet up some day.  Not that I had time to go to Harbin all of last semester; and you will be studying/working 24/7. 

Better get started drinking now.  I'm sure since AMonk is out of town she'd want you to have a drink and a toastie on her tab.  Cheers 

Velcome aboard, Primitive. Good handle for a Michigonian, and Harbin is a good place for you, too. Nice and freezy in winter!!

Primitive and I will fit right in during Harbin's winter, him being from Michigan and my coming from Maine I do believe we'll actually be working at the same university. Small world?

Welcome aboard, you 2.   Y'all know as well as I do that winter's only cold while you're outside.

...unless you live in Suzhou, where the buildings aren't heated. 

Fresh meat! 

Y'all know as well as I do that winter's only cold while you're outside.

cold is 90% all your state of mind.... the other ten percent being the frostbite you get when you think its all in your head the weather of harbin was its biggest draw for me, i'm looking forward to it