the random tidbits thread
 

Hi, guys. My vision for this thread is to create a home for random observations about life in China that don't justify threads of their own. Basically, in spite of the fact that I've been here for ages, I continue to learn new things on a weekly basis.

To get things started, I'd like to comment a bit about the practice of ripping off western technologies/brands, which was a hot topic at the recent Tech Crunch Disrupt in Beijing. Simply put, the VC/PE community (including the same firms that invest in companies that are getting ripped off) is hooked on this model. Why? Because it is low risk, it works, and Chinese courts tend to side with Chinese companies. Here are some prominent examples: Kayak/Qunar, Youtube/Youku, Airbnb/Airyizu, Vitamin Water/Victory Vitamin Water (at 1/3 the price).

And, a personal favorite: Cali Burger. In and Out doesn't want to play ball in Asia; no problem; just trademark their menu items.

Switching gears completely, observing Chinese people at western restaurants can be a real hoot: e.g. 3 soups, lobster, dessert, fruit plate, y3000 bottle of wine mixed with Sprite. This stuff boggles my mind. I was talking to a restaurant owner about it a few days ago; my suggestion: attempt to educate your Chinese guests to do the drill properly. Her response: "absolutely not! Their ignorance = money in my pocket."

My personal favorite
http://www1.xup.in/exec/ximg.php?fid=10093314

Needed expressvpn to load that one. :D

Here's one I've noticed in the past month or so since being back in Beijing: at the East Gate of the Workers' Gymnasium (the round one), in the afternoon all the FedEx delivery vans gather around and start passing packages back and forth--sort of a Chinese FedEx Fire Drill. Sometimes there will be 8-10 of them doing this tailgate maneuver. I don't get it...isn't this sorting done at the FedEx warehouse?

Could be handing off next day shipments to catch early flight out.

ok, I now have to clean the coffee off my screen. :D
No one is going to top that one.

In a McDonald's bathroom with a western toilet--footprints on the seat.

Does it say "Porn Queen" under the starbucks logo? That is great.

One of my favorite/funny things is the "let's stop and have a 2 minute chat right at the top or bottom of an escalator" people that frequent shopping malls.

[QUOTE=travelinmanS;17561621]Does it say "Porn Queen" under the starbucks logo? That is great.
QUOTE]

I am looking for DQ trademark to be changed to PQ and text underneath
to follow.

So far there is:

Dairy Fairy

and


Mango Queen

of course Obama is also very popular in China

OFC

Movie World

Even Better Than Movie World

Acronyms aren't protected by trademark laws.:p
Ha Ha Colonel!

KFG

KLG

MFC

DFC

Even Better Than Movie World[/QUOTE]

DVD yao ma?

Picture? :D

PVG urinal
 

And there are the signs above the urinals in PVG which read "One Step Forward, Please!"

I've seen an uptick in subway performance art during the past six months. On Thursday afternoon coming back from the west side on Line 10 (BJ), there was a singer/guitarist who was downright good (and cool looking to boot). I couldn't muster the courage to take a video of his performance, but I wish I had because it was rather surreal.

But, in Shanghai, they've taken this concept to a whole new level: companies sponsor pole dancers to do their thing on the metro (Line 1 seems to be a favorite).