tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33211251.post8328383420916652920..comments2024-01-08T19:49:13.932+00:00Comments on Froogville: A cash-strapped ChristmasFrooghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06738623732860210935noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33211251.post-23385225636672964342011-12-28T01:41:51.073+00:002011-12-28T01:41:51.073+00:00I've had the head of a hammer fly off the shaf...I've had the head of a hammer fly off the shaft and hit me in the eye.<br /><br />But that's Chinese hammers for you. Why would you attach the head to the shaft? You don't want a tool that's <i>functional</i> and <i>safe</i>, do you?? Well, that will cost you extra.Frooghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06738623732860210935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33211251.post-28678567027089004312011-12-27T13:00:10.999+00:002011-12-27T13:00:10.999+00:00Or, knowing Froog's luck of late, the head wou...Or, knowing Froog's luck of late, the head would fly off the ax and into a deep river.JEShttp://johnesimpson.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33211251.post-41417982467904964362011-12-27T10:23:18.115+00:002011-12-27T10:23:18.115+00:00But knowing that guy he'll have overcharged yo...But knowing that guy he'll have overcharged you by a few sticks. ;)Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15692328535476075420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33211251.post-88634781717662502842011-12-27T02:55:46.444+00:002011-12-27T02:55:46.444+00:00I grow impatient with money: it's so depersona...I grow impatient with money: it's so depersonalising. I think I'd enjoy a return to medieval simplicity: you spend a couple of hours chopping wood, and the grateful innkeeper gives you a hearty meal and a flagon of homemade cider.Frooghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06738623732860210935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33211251.post-76700527236525318282011-12-26T18:27:51.179+00:002011-12-26T18:27:51.179+00:00Like John, above, I do worry about the run of bad ...Like John, above, I do worry about the run of bad luck you've had in the last few weeks. Dark forces seem to be conspiring against you, maybe trying to convert you from your philosophically erroneous capitalist nature.<br /><br />I hadn't thought to suggest the barter-and-trade option, though. Points to John for that one.JEShttp://johnesimpson.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33211251.post-49487086666844497572011-12-23T16:20:18.139+00:002011-12-23T16:20:18.139+00:00Status of Chinese banks is a bit of a grey area, I...Status of Chinese banks is a bit of a grey area, I think. Most of them are still SOEs, but increasingly independent - and some of the larger ones have been courting partnerships with international banks and launching IPOs. Even though they're increasingly trying to operate as normal businesses (insofar as banks ever do - ha!), they are all still ultimately underwritten by the government. The whole economic miracle here has been built on soft loans, and I don't think anyone has any real idea of how much of that has been surreptitiously written off, or will have to be over the next few years.<br /><br />As with most things in China, there's a bewildering multiplicity of different operators in the sector, and a crude classification into 'tiers'. I worked with someone in one of the 1st tier banks a year or two back, and asked that question <i>you're not supposed to ask</i> about whether she thought the government here would ever allow one of banks to go under. <b>"Oh, no,"</b> she said,<b>"Not one of the top tier banks. The second or third tier... <i>maybe</i>..."</b>Frooghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06738623732860210935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33211251.post-29235055828721061082011-12-23T13:40:21.094+00:002011-12-23T13:40:21.094+00:00I lost my card here recently. I was able to cancel...I lost my card here recently. I was able to cancel the old one at the bank immediately and it was free to have it replaced. The new card arrived about a week later with its PIN separately the day before. Also, if you are with a certain bank here (I forget which) you can still use an ATM to access your money should you lose your card.<br />I've heard China bank horror stories from Chinese friends (when I used to chat online with them)- such things as having to return to their home town (a journey of several 100 miles) in order to replace their card etc. I don't know much about the banking sector (although I understood she banked with the main one there) but I assume Communist state = state owned banks. Even if that isn't the case, when I suggested she switch banks to the competition she more or less told me there was no such thing.<br />Socialism (to use a blanket term when one should not be used!) or Capitalism, both have their criticisms but to be in the space in the middle must be the most frustrating thing ever.<br />Anyway, hope you're able to have a good Christmas none the less Froog; I expect friends will be just fine with the odd IOU here and there. Money and luck haven't exactly seen eye to eye recently for you have they? I suggest a New Year's resolution of adopting a system of bartering and trades; makes more sense than money in China.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15692328535476075420noreply@blogger.com