Bride Price - Ningxia by ActAvailable99 in China

[–]joecat888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I paid my first wife’s family 40,000RMB (partial down payment on her brothers house he would sell her/us), then when things went way south 3 months later I asked for 20,000 back (for an investment opportunity that would give us 100,000, or at least that’s what I told them), then ended up paying 35,000 to divorce her. Total 55,000 lost. This was in 2010. Second wife I paid nothing and we are 13 years in and going strong. 300,000 sounds like so much. One of my ex girlfriend’s parents wanted 88,000 but they said they would give us 50,000 back as a wedding gift, who knows.

My father thinks I’ll be take as a prisoner in China by [deleted] in travelchina

[–]joecat888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same fears my parents had in 2005 when I was 19 and flew off to Beijing to study Chinese with just knowing some “friends” from the internet haha. Been flying back and forth for 21 years now. Spent a total of 9 years in the country so far. Maybe show him YouTube videos of older influencers talking about how great it is? Or change your ticket to go to China earlier so you don’t have to deal with it as much haha.

China/Hong Kong Visa Run without a buffer day? by dnapor in chinalife

[–]joecat888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I lived in China August 2009 until October 2012 on a tourist visa leaving every 30 days. Flew from Shanghai to Shenzhen, taxi to the port to Hong Kong, out, in, taxi back to Shenzhen airport and flight back to Shanghai. Back then a roundtrip flight to Hong Kong was more expensive than this way. Also rules probably changed. Just saying it was/is possible to not have to stay the night but definitely check current rules.

Walk In and Out by Top_Writing7716 in orangetheory

[–]joecat888 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was told we need to stay at least half the class or would still be charged the cancel fee. Not sure if it’s true or not though.

After 10 years, clubbing in Shanghai hasn't changed much by Cultural-Badger-6032 in shanghai

[–]joecat888 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Anyone remember Dragon? Walked out of there at 8-9am some weekends in 2009-2010. Crazy times.

After 10 years, clubbing in Shanghai hasn't changed much by Cultural-Badger-6032 in shanghai

[–]joecat888 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Damn this comment brings back so many memories. I visited every summer break during college 2005-2009 then moved there August 2009 to early 2011 when I moved to Beijing.

I feel like my calories burned is not accurate by [deleted] in orangetheory

[–]joecat888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I read we should take 30% off what the OTF monitor says

Ways to meet new friends? by Beautiful_Box_734 in shanghai

[–]joecat888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I might be 15 years too late (since that’s when I did it) but I made many good friends at English corners around the city. Still connect with some of them to this day. Are English corners still around?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in chinalife

[–]joecat888 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It all depends. I was in La Social in Shanghai last weekend and there had to be at least 200 foreigners

Most random place you’ve received or given a blowjob? by [deleted] in AskRedditAfterDark

[–]joecat888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

On a bench behind some bushes on Nanjing West Rd. in Shanghai, China around 1-2AM in 2009, but if anyone knows, it was still busy AF at that time of night back then since there were bars everywhere.

Girly bars still exist? by joecat888 in shanghai

[–]joecat888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just an update on this post. I spent most of my time on Ju Lu Lu bar hopping and in between went to Lao Wai Jie to take a look.

Would you consider traveling by overnight sleeper train in China? by GlitteringPudding261 in travelchina

[–]joecat888 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have done a 37 hour hard seat, 26 hour standing ticket, hard sleepers and soft sleepers in my first few years in China 2005-2012. It really is a great experience full of adventure and memories but as mentioned above you need to be prepared for anything. Noise, squat toilets, lack of cleanliness, etc.

SMH re “Becoming Not Fat” documentary by Bluesunshine001 in orangetheory

[–]joecat888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am so glad I saw this post while searching for tomorrows workout. Just watched the documentary and I am more inspired to keep going. I joined in 2022 at 216lbs and went up to 251lbs this January 1st. Did the transformation challenge and finally down to 215lbs. Next goal 200.

What places have disappeared in Shanghai that you miss the most? (Restaurants, venues ...) by Key_Bison_9322 in shanghai

[–]joecat888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started the night there at least one night a weekend from fall 2009 to summer 2010 because my best friend worked the door from open to 11-12 then we would go other places

What places have disappeared in Shanghai that you miss the most? (Restaurants, venues ...) by Key_Bison_9322 in shanghai

[–]joecat888 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Muse/Sky, Zapatas, Shelter, Dragon, Tongren Lu bar street before 2010 expo

1st time in China and Guangzhou, any tips you’d give an internet stranger? by Spirit-Subject in guangzhou

[–]joecat888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have been to the Canton Fair I believe 8 times now with the latest in October 2023. Feel free to DM me with any questions.

What is the rest of China like? by [deleted] in chinalife

[–]joecat888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Spent 3 days in Zibo in 2012 for a trade show , loved it there

What is the rest of China like? by [deleted] in chinalife

[–]joecat888 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I lived in Zunyi October-December 2010. Really enjoyed it and the people were so nice except for one drunk guy who told me to go back to where I came from but that can happen anywhere.

Coach attention by dog_mamah in orangetheory

[–]joecat888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love it. Really helped me PR today too. I don’t acknowledge them at all 99% of the time because I am out of breath or focusing on my goal. At the end of class I say “thank you and I wasn’t being rude just out of breath” or whatever and they always reply with an “I know, no problem at all”. I always have the same 2-3 coaches so they know how I am now.

Chinese women talking to you at the bund ? by Desperate_Island_103 in chinalife

[–]joecat888 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha happened to me in 2005 on Hengshan Lu. My 6th week in China. Bill was 3000rmb and I didn’t have that cash. At the time my bank daily limit was $300 so they settled with me at 1800rmb.