You can blame it on jet lag or whatever, but it's time to break that healthy trend. Ahem.
1. JAPANGLISH IS REALLY FUNNY.
Yes. Yes, it is. May it please the court:
It proposes the more comfortable environment.
From you, it sends to the world.
—Window ad, Midori electronics store
Pleasant Dining Bar
Kind Time and Light Space
—On the door of a restaurant
SELFISH and Snob Envamp
—Appropriate names for two pricey boutiques
—I really hope this place was a pet store
"LADY,S"
—This way to the women's restroom
And let's not forget the car names:
Suzuki Every
Honda That's
Daihatsu Move
Nissan Cube
But the funnier part is that all four cars are shaped like little toasters (for full-size toasters sold in the U.S., see Element and Scion).
2. CHINA IS REALLY CHEAP.
Like, crazy cheap. Let's do a side-by-side comparison, shall we?
One-way subway ride
Beijing: $0.35 (all distances)
SF/Oakland: $1.40–6.15 (depends on distance)
Cab ride to airport (approx. 45 minutes, with tolls)
Beijing: $11
SF/Oakland: $65
Bottle of spring water
Beijing: $0.25
SF/Oakland: $1 and up
Sapphire & tonic at a hipster bar
Beijing: $4
SF/Oakland: $7
Cute li'l handbag (new, not thrift store or vintage)
Beijing: $8
SF/Oakland: $25 and up
60-minute deep-tissue massage
Beijing: $7 (no, that's not a typo)
SF/Oakland: $60 and up
Dinner for two (with wine and dessert)
Beijing: $20
SF/Oakland: $50, if you're savvy or lucky
Tipping
Beijing: You don't.
SF/Oakland: 15–20%, more if you used to wait tables or you're trying to impress your date
Monthly rent for a 2BR apartment in a midrange neighborhood
Beijing: $300–500
SF/Oakland: $1,500–2,500
But I'd be remiss not to include one final stat for perspective:
Average monthly per-capita income in 2006
Beijing: $227
SF/Oakland: $4,106
There you have it.
Next up: Photos! Will start posting just as soon as I get my scanning hand back in shape after an excellent long vacation.
1 comment:
Informative, interesting and extremely well photographed. I love your blog, Mia!!!!
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