Getting through the Basics of Daily Life

Finding money, staying healthy, and generally getting by in your home country is usually pretty easy. In China, these basics can be easy, too. In this section, we talk about how these fundamentals work in China.

Finding money

For now, cash is king in China. You can find ATMs in all the big cities. Credit cards aren’t widely used or accepted except at businesses catering to foreigners.

China’s currency is called the renminbi (RMB), meaning the people’s money. Its basic unit is called the yuan. Some people also refer to the yuan as kuai. Here are the main denominations:

✓	100 RMB note (currently a red color — older versions are purple)
✓	50 RMB note (green-blue)
✓	20 RMB note (brown)
✓	10 RMB note (blue)
✓	5 RMB note (brown)
✓	2 RMB note (green)
✓	1 RMB note (purple brown) and coin

Other smaller bills and coins, called jiao and fen, are also in circulation.

You should convert your personal foreign currency into China’s local currency. You can do so at a bank in China, at the airport, or at your hotel. Generally, you get a better deal at the bank. Look carefully at the rates and fees to make sure you’re getting a fair deal. If you expect to exchange currency at the end of your trip, save your exchange receipts. If you don’t have the receipts, you can’t convert the money back into your original foreign currency. (For information on avoiding counterfeit money, see “Staying clear of counterfeits,” near the end of the chapter.)

Using ATMs

The Bank of China (www.bank-of-china.com/en/static/index.html) is China’s main bank. Bank of China’s ATMs are linked to Plus, Amex, Cirrus, Maestro, and Diners Club International networks. Bank of China’s ATM network is quite good in most medium and large Chinese cities. The Bank of Communications (www.bankcomm.com/jh/en/index.jsp) is another large Chinese bank where you can access an ATM. Some good quality hotels also have ATMs that are hooked up to international networks.

Withdrawing money from an ATM in China is no different from drawing money out of your ATM at home. Just follow directions, which are in English, and you can convert money from your foreign bank account into RMB. (Note: You can’t withdraw foreign currency from ATMs — only Chinese money.)

To be safe, use ATMs during the day at the larger bank branches or at your hotel.

Using credit and debit cards

Traditionally, credit cards haven’t been widely accepted in China, but this is fast changing as the government is supporting the use of credit cards in China. The government wants a bigger credit card network for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Foreigners use debit cards from domestic and foreign accounts all the time.

You can use international credit cards in large department stores, popular restaurants, and hotels in medium and large Chinese cities. Credit cards are also accepted in the Western-style markets in Beijing and Shanghai. Taxis do not accept credit card payments. Note that most U.S. card issuers take on 2 to 3 percent “conversion fees” for all foreign currency transactions. This is true of debit cards as well.

If you need to get a cash advance using your credit card, you need to go to a major bank. Of course, they charge you a commission.

Call your card company before you leave to alert them that you’re traveling to China. The company can then expect to see China-related transactions on your account without concerns about your spending. You don’t want to have your card blocked while you’re in China.

Using traveler’s cheques

You can pay by traveler’s cheque in China, or any hotel or major bank can convert your foreign traveler’s cheques into cash. However, most people find using the Chinese ATM to get cash and using credit cards for major expenses to be more convenient.

Staying healthy

Nothing’s worse than getting sick or injured in a foreign country. Most people who travel to China don’t have any problems. The most common ailment for foreign visitors to China seems to be an upset stomach probably caused by lower local standards of hygiene.

Getting smoked, Chinese style The Chinese are really heavy smokers. More than 350 million Chinese smoke cigarettes, and the number of new smokers is growing by about 3 million a year. More than 50 percent of men smoke. Greetings between males usually involve offering a cigarette. As you may have guessed, you can find plenty of ashtrays around. In China, smoking in front of others is still socially acceptable. If you’re sensitive to smoking, you may have some problems in China. Smoking bans are in place in some public places, but smokers largely ignore them, even smoking right in front of the Do Not Smoke signs! People rarely complain about the smoking.

Generally, business visitors to China stay in the medium and large cities where hygiene standards are better. Steer clear of poultry markets and rural areas to avoid any possibility of avian flu exposure. With this and a few other simple precautions — which we discuss in this section — you can stay healthy during your visit to China.

Understanding hygiene in China

Hygiene standards in China are likely very different from what you’re used to back home. For instance, spitting is common there (although some cities are trying to crack down on it). Beijing seems to be making some progress tackling the spitting problem, but outside of the capital city, there’s still a lot of spitting going on.

With overcrowded cities, people start living in closer proximity, encouraging the spread of germs. As a result, you may become mildly ill during a visit to China. However, here are some preventive measures you can take:

✓	Take greater care of your hygiene while you’re there. Wash your hands a lot. Don’t be surprised when you don’t find hot water or soap while visiting restaurants and other places. A bottle of hand sanitizer can be one of your best friends in China.
✓	Plan on using the bathrooms at your hotel, your office, or the factory you visit. The public bathrooms in China were really meant to serve the masses, so take advantage of a clean bathroom whenever you can.
✓	If you cut yourself while shaving or whatever, immediately sterilize it. Here’s an application for antibacterial gel. Peroxide is even better if you take it with you. Bacteria levels are so high everywhere that open cuts have a really high rate of infection.
✓	Consider wiping down dining ware with a clean cloth napkin or hot tea if things don’t look very clean. Bring packs of two-ply tissues everywhere, just in case.

Watching what you drink

Here’s the main rule about drinking water in China: Don’t drink from the tap. Use only bottled or filtered water. Some people prefer to use the bottled water to brush their teeth, too. Many medium- to higher-end restaurants in the major cities serve filtered water; however, if you’re unsure, just assume that it’s not filtered. Outside of the major cities, also avoid using ice with your drinks, because the water may not be filtered. Make sure you stay hydrated in China, especially in the summer.

The Chinese love to drink tea. Take advantage of the great variety of teas and enjoy the local custom during your visit. In most situations, tea should be a safe alternative because the water has been boiled. Drinking tea is more than just a tradition — it’s a safe way to enjoy a pleasant beverage!

As in most cultures, drinking alcohol with a meal is common in China. Be careful about how much alcohol you consume. Some types of Chinese liquor can be extremely strong and may leave you with a throbbing head the next morning. Because you’re traveling on business, often trying to get over jet lag while negotiating with the Chinese, drink only in moderation.

Minding what you eat

Hopefully, the Chinese food sits well with you during your visit. Enjoying the Chinese cuisine can be one of the highlights of visiting China.

Some people have trouble adjusting to the amount of oil in Chinese cooking. Others have a particular sensitivity to MSG (monosodium glutamate). Also known as Chinese restaurant syndrome, sensitivity to MSG can cause symptoms such as a headache and drowsiness. Unfortunately, you can’t do much to avoid MSG during a visit to China, because almost all Chinese restaurants use it. If MSG becomes a problem, seek out non-Chinese food restaurants.

If you have food allergies or intolerances, watch out for some of the following, which are common in Chinese cooking:

✓	Fish and shellfish
✓	Soy, which is present in tofu, soy sauce, salty black beans, and edamame
✓	Wheat (gluten), which may be in noodles, dumplings, bread, and pancakes

Even if you don’t usually have a sensitive stomach, you should bring some remedies, especially for diarrhea. Most Western remedies are generally available, but consider bringing your favorite brand with you to China so you can avoid taking counterfeit medicine.

As delicious as the food may smell, stay away from anything sold by street vendors. The hygiene standards are less than ideal.

Finding healthcare when you need it

For general ailments, your best choice is to visit a Western-operated clinic. Western-run clinics usually have decent English-speaking capability. In addition, they’re less likely to have arbitrary pricing or to recommend unnecessary tests. You can choose from several of them in Beijing and Shanghai. Some higher-end Chinese hospitals also have VIP clinics that offer foreigners a higher level of service.

In the case of something more severe, look for Western-operated hospitals in the larger Chinese cities. You may seriously consider traveling to Hong Kong for healthcare services. If time and conditions allow, just head back home.

If you’re not feeling well before a planned trip to China, do the right thing and cancel or postpone your visit. You’re much better off getting over your sickness at home.

You can obtain some recommendations of the healthcare facilities available in your city by contacting your home country’s embassy or consulate. Or your hotel should be able to tell you what the options are. Otherwise, look for Western clinics and hospitals in major cities through the Internet and in advertisements in the free expatriate magazines at Western bars and restaurants.

Prices for quality healthcare in China are high, and they may be somewhat unpredictable. You can expect to pay higher costs for healthcare as a foreign visitor. Generally, your health insurance should cover your usual and customary medical expenses while in China. Insurance providers usually reimburse you after you return home. In Chinese-run clinics and hospitals, you may have to provide a deposit for your treatment; therefore, if you’re short on cash, you may want to have your hotel confirm whether the clinic will take a credit card for payment.

To better understand how your coverage works, check with your healthcare provider before you make your trip. Make sure you bring your insurance card with you to China.

Be careful about taking any prescriptions or antibiotics that a Chinese doctor provides you. Certain prescriptions in China may not be what you’d expect them to be. Over-the-counter products may not be authentic. The best recommendation is to bring what you may need in terms of over-the-counter remedies — especially anti-diarrhea medicine. Eye drops for irritation due to pollution may be a good idea, too.

Weathering China

Because the country is so large, you can be in a subtropical zone one day and frigid plains the next. Some places in the very south of China don’t even have a winter. To the north, some regions don’t have a summer — the winters are very cold, so be prepared. Most of the country has blazing hot weather and humidity in the summer. (For men, wearing blue shirts in the warm months is not recommended. If you’re prone to perspire, you’ll look like a wet dish rag in a blue shirt!)

The most pleasant months to visit China are April, May, September, and October. During this time, the weather is generally comfortable across China.

Check on the local weather conditions before you go to China. Don’t be fooled into believing that being on the same latitude means that the temperatures are the same as elsewhere in the world. Find out what the local conditions are like in China before you start packing. Bring a variety of clothes that can keep you comfortable for the places you’ll visit in China.

Preparing for crowding and noise

With the rise of China’s economic prowess, more people have migrated to the cities in China. They’re seeking better jobs that offer better pay than what’s offered in the countryside. As a result, life in China’s cities is crowded. With a population of 1.3 billion, this statement may be a little obvious, but once you get there, you realize what “crowded” really means. Beijing’s population is more than 11 million, Shanghai’s tops 18 million, and Guangzhou has 11 million people. While you’re there, forget about personal space, and get to know your new neighbors.

Noise levels in China are high — you deal with city noise, construction noise, factory noise, people noise, and all sorts of other noise. China has noise pollution laws, but enforcement is still a work in progress. You often hear Chinese shouting into cellphones, talking during musical concerts, and jabbering loudly over a meal. The level of noise can be high in public places such as restaurants and factories and even on airplanes. You soon learn to take this in stride.

Dealing with pollution

China’s burst on the scene as the world’s factory has had both positive and negative results. On the downside, many of China’s bustling cities are incredibly polluted, tainting their rivers and streams. Don’t be surprised by factories that pour toxic chemicals down manholes, people using the road as a trash disposal, and a blanket of haze where a sunny blue sky should be. Sometimes the pollution can be so bad that your eyes begin to sting. Although the Chinese authorities have installed plans to improve the overall situation, there’s been little short-term progress in the way of improvement.

Most of the time you’ll be indoors, so pollution shouldn’t have too much of an effect on you, but be prepared. You may want to bring some eyewash with you when you visit China if you’re sensitive to air pollution. Also, if you have a respiratory condition, such as asthma, be sure to pack medications to avoid flare-ups.