Engineering is a universal language, and a hardware store is a forum for communication. It happened that I was in need of a special metal part for a prototype of a separate project. I went downstairs to the small hardware …
One of my first experiences interacting with the Chinese was a lesson in futility. Well, a few lessons, really. After a few nights freezing with no sheets and my only long-sleeve shirt being my jacket, I desperately needed sheets. The …
It’s strange, but the first meal I had to order alone was on the fourth day in China. I don’t know how I avoided it so long. Having had a few catastrophes interacting with people at the supermarket, I was …
When planning a trip to China, be aware that the internet is ridiculously slow. Generally, I get dialup speeds. That is, when I have internet. Often it will just die entirely. This is a common problem that everyone I’ve talked …
One of the recommendations from a presenter was the book “Poorly Made In China”. The book was written from the perspective of an agent who deals with importers who are trying to have their products manufactured in China. Usually he …
After arriving in Shenzhen and meeting Sammi in front of the apartment, I now had someone I could trust who spoke English, and things were a lot more comfortable. We went upstairs to the apartment, which looked like it was …
Madison After a difficult goodbye, I went to the ticket counter and checked in and dropped off my checked bag. I was worried that my prototype inside the bag would be examined and blown up as a potential bomb, but …
In retrospect, I should have been much better about my checklist. I had forgotten some things which would have made my life significantly more comfortable. Having a printed checklist, and laying out all of my things before packing them into …
In the final stretch towards leaving, I needed to make sure I’d have enough foreign currency to get by. I was looking for the cheapest ways to change money, and I knew that Chase was going to charge 3% on …
There has been a lot of publicity recently about electronic security when working in China. There are horror stories of infected computers that come back and infiltrate corporate networks, of eavesdropped cell phones, and of IP theft. A NY Times …