January 15, 2002
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Ramblings…
How do people keep their Xanga posts so damn short? Explaining scenarios are just so hard to keep brief… the hardest essays in school were always that ones that were supposed to be kept under 500 words.
If you ever decide to come to China, you have definitely got to pick up a Lonely Planet China guide. There aren’t only cool tidbits on where to stay and where to eat, they’ve got a great historical blurb on China and many of the major cities that any traveller to China will visit. Their guide to nightlife in SH is way off, but probably because this city changes literally overnight. Damn, Chinese history is so interesting, I wish I took East Asian studies instead of crappy economics.
So this smoking problem, Fred couldn’t have been more right saying that I’d start smoking in China. Not that I’m addicted or anything (I know because I have no cravings or any need to resort to kirb’s pocky sticks therapy). Everyone and their dog smokes here and you can smoke anywhere you want, malls, buses, elevators, restaurants, etc. But as someone trying to network in China, I am constantly trying to justify my foray into this unchartered territory or cigarette kingdom. So here goes:
Apparently, it is a slight sign of disrespect to not accept another person’s smokes here. It is also a great ice breaker to offer someone who smokes (which is just about everyone) a cigarette here. The ‘correct’ way to offer is with a smoke sticking out of an open pack offered to a new acquaintance (apparently it is considered rude to take one out of the pack and hand it to someone). Theory tried and tested, I’ve been able to meet a couple managers and CEO’s from this little maneuvre. Okay, and a pretty girl here and there. A little messed ain’t it?
But admittedly, these aren’t the only times that I smoke now. Since I’ve been running extremely low on cash as of late, smoking a cigarette from a 10RMB pack of smokes is much cheaper than buying a 50RMB gin and tonic. I hate chilling at a club without a something in my hand (yes, please enter jabs here). Smokes have now become my cheaper alternative. I’m old enough as it is, emptyhanded, being at these bars gives off 2 impressions. To the younger ones, I’m just some old guy at the club, looking to pick up a young cow. To the more mature crowd, I’m just a little Chinese kid who’s up past his bedtime. At least when I’m smoking or drinking, it takes away from me looking either way… (why am I so self-concious?).
I used to be so against smoking, I still am, and know that I won’t get addicted. Please don’t let me be addicted. My grandfather smoked everyday till the day he died at 80+ years, is this how he started? Say it ain’t so.
I guess I could stop partying and save money and all that jive but I thought I told you that we won’t stop, I thought I told you that we won’t stop, eh eh, eh eh…
Comments (5)
pahahah…. that’s what I used to say too when I first started smoking… “don’t worry, Im not addicted, I can quit whenever I want to.”
You cannot resist….. step into the darkside….mwahahahahhah….
Jesus, the Notorious just
please us with ya lyrical thesis
we just chillin…something something something….this is the part at the club where i just start mouthing words pretending i know the lyrics….
You may have noticed after taking up smoking that more people have begun hanging around you, no? That’s because, just as the tobacco industry promises, smoking has made you cool. Expect some aggressive dick-suckage very soon, my friend.
congratulations, we’ve been waiting for you. isn’t the world so much better with one of those menthol-flavoured cancer sticks in your hand. and yes, you have just exponentially increased your coolness-factor merely by smoking…just think all those years wasted back here in t.o., when all this time you could’ve been smoking with us – your cool friends.
by the way, i’ve booked the first two weeks in june off for vacation. i’m seriously contemplating visiting china…but more on this later…now get back to smoking!!!
I haven’t heard that song for a while…
Hey, let me tell you, you say it now, that you aren’t addicted but, believe me, that’s how most of my friends got addicted. Actually, that’s how I was too. But, at the time I was smoking, none of my friends were smoking. Oh, long story. Especially if it’s a social thing…in the long run, it ain’t gonna be cheap…think of your HEALTH!! eew…black lungs. I don’t smoke anymore…I got asthma now. I think it developed from the smoking
I think I have to start learning how to do those short journals. At least yours make SENSE! Mine just make you go cross-eyed!
nice excuse for smoking… =)
Do they have a Frommer’s guide to China? That’s what I am using for Europe this summer and I heard that was THE ONE to use.