Comments on: More facts and figures: Money

By: TheUsualSuspects

TheUsualSuspects — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 16:31:08 +0000

Healthcare is a non-issue in Canada? Hardly. There is a waiting list in Canada that can keep you from getting the care you need when you need it. I’m amazed at how many people think the healthcare is free in Canada. It is not. You must pay for shots, drugs, surgeries, etc. I will also point out that the tax rate in Canada is very high. There is no such thing as free healthcare. I will also point out that the tax burden in China is not higher than that in USA as one of your commenters mistakenly said. Otherwise, your experience in China is similar to mine, except I’m much older and do not have a political agenda to support.

By: Benjamin Ross

Benjamin Ross — Mon, 28 May 2007 07:13:47 +0000

Swiss James-

As a general rule, there is no tipping in China. The only places where tipping might be common are places which cater to a largely Western clientelle, but these are few and far between. However, sometimes customers will bring small gifts, such as specialty snacks or cigarettes in for their barber, or sometimes even for a little brother or little sister. However, I think these gifts function more as a friendly gesture to a friend rather than as a monetary payment.

By: Swiss James

Swiss James — Mon, 28 May 2007 06:30:40 +0000

Add me to your list of admirers for doing this fascinating blog.

Do people in Fuzhou ever tip? Do any of the tips get kicked back down to the little brothers and sisters? Do you get many foreigners in your shop?

Keep up the good work

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 21 May 2007 12:26:20 +0000

Hey, Ben! You got covered in Shanghaiist today! Congrats!

By: Ed Shred

Ed Shred — Mon, 21 May 2007 10:23:14 +0000

Very quick point that caught my eye: on the subject of healthcare, it is true that it is much cheaper in China. But the quality is much much lower. There is also no such thing as medical negligence as far as I am aware.

The prices for western standard healthcare are high by world standards (ecluding the US).

By: Jas

Jas — Mon, 21 May 2007 08:17:26 +0000

Hi Ben,
This is the first time for me to read your blog. I am totally impressed! You did a great job!
It is great courage and strength for you, a westerner who is suppose to be “spoiled” as well, to make this movement( work in a barber’s shop) and have all these insights of the ordinary people’s life. I will never know this much about the life in barbers if not your specific comparison by all this accurate numbers. Through your vivid description and humorous language, we can see the hardship of their life, but also can fell the passion of youth, the bitter-sweet of people purchasing their dreams. Not mention about the happy and crazy barbecue party you had in forest park, and the horrified snake slaughter scene you depicted.
Keep on your journal, this will be such a great experience and a great pleasure for us to read too.

By: Steven

Steven — Mon, 21 May 2007 08:11:44 +0000

it seems like a “hand-to-mouth” life for these kids earning such a small income, and needing to survive in increasingly expensive cities.

i guess these guys and girls live in shared bedrooms in a modest or bare apartment. but that will still cost 200 to 300rmb per month (seems to be the rate here in Suzhou). take away the money paid to employers for food, healthcare levies (also something not done in the UK), taxes, other food and necessities, and they’re saving almost nothing.

By: Ron Frost

Ron Frost — Mon, 21 May 2007 06:23:30 +0000

It’s probably worth noting that this is well below the legal minimum wage (which is 5.5 RMB/hour in Fuzhou according to http://english.xm.gov.cn/Xiamen_News/200609/t20060904_78143.htm ). I know that accomodation and food must count for something, but surely not enough to take it over this threshold.

By: Ning Jiang

Ning Jiang — Mon, 21 May 2007 04:04:25 +0000

昨天准时收看小Ben同志的节目啦~~之前我和陈曦还很担心你和她呢，不过昨天听你说“I love her”我真的很高兴呢，下个月去福州找你们玩哦~~by the way,你发型很酷啦~~

By: doom

doom — Mon, 21 May 2007 02:23:23 +0000

Just wanted to let you know that I went back and read all your entries about the barbershop. Great stuff. It’s given me some insight into how the average worker gets along. I find the financial information compelling and humbling. Also, what you said about laborers or workers being treated different by people who were more wealthy, educated, connected is something I noticed many times, even from my close Chinese friends, in China, but I wonder now if me or my Western friends were just as rude at times without realizing it. Gave me something to think about. Anyway, keep up the good work, and I’ll keep reading.