Please, let me pay or at least repay you somehow

Where to begin… ha with this sentence. SUCK IT writers block. NOT this time. lol   It’s more a question of.. can I be tactful about the following post.  Well my long time counselor during the divorce would question my tact prowess.  Here we go.
I make literally a lot times as much as my coworkers. ( that’s right language haters, i used LITERALLY) The strange thing is that here everyone always asks How much you paid for stuff.  The computer, the watch, my shirt, my pants.  Normally I wouldn’t say or at least just say the sale price i paid for it… however it’s actually better for some reason to just say retail.

I still follow up with it was a $64 shirt but I only paid 15.  That way they don’t think I’m ober rich or I don’t know.  But here is the strange money thing too.  I don’t have to tell any coworker what I make… you know why, Because they already know.

When working through contract negotiations, did we go to a private office, just me and translator and the go between guy….. NOPE we were just in the adjoining room where the staff kind of hangs out while patients are being treated.  Oh were their patients lingering around too… YES.

Honestly, since I am the third doctor here… they knew from the first one what was made.   Luckily the reimbursement for my flight (which was more than i expected) was a check, so I had to go with Ling and cash it at the bank… a bunch of RMB cash money.   S

o, when i was getting my rent covered by the company, and negotiating time off and the sneaky deposit they take from my check for the first three months and how i was proposing several ways that i can recoup that money throughout the year versus the last month I’m here..everyone heard and really were not working so they could observe.

ON that note: they take out money the first three months and kind of keep it as a ransom in case i leave suddenly… their way of recouping some of the loss they would incur.  I was trying to get some back each month i work but they wouldn’t budge.

The remedy: my last months salary and the deposit are to be paid 5 days prior to contract ending..versus the following month on the 23rd that they would deposit for me… yeah no thanks., i’ll take the RMB before i leave.

They just failed to mention that before arriving.. imagine that! Oh did we not say anything.. hahah my bad doogggg.

Did i mention that the translators pretty much have to put my cell phone/wifi in their name.  I can’t put it in mine. In fact the bank i think has to have their ID but they have no access to my actual account.  Rumor has it they want to do direct deposit, but I’m a little leerie of it.

As much as it will be pain to hide my salary and just wire it back to the states every other month, I’d hate to keep the money in a bank and then have some “issue” getting it out or wiring it.  The bank is world wide so probably not an issue but still.

Okay, back to the heading.  Well first one more illustration of people knowing your salary.  That dumpling post last time… for some reason the lady asked how much i make ( unknown to me because me no speak chinese) and Ada told her.  I wasn’t really shocked but more disappointed that it isn’t private at all.

I mean this lady probably makes well less than the coworkers and she just had me over for food.  I get it, don’t get me wrong, i helped her be able to get back to work and sleep normal and she is very grateful and wants to show her appreciation.  Frankly i accept that and wont deny them that.  I get it, i think we have all been there.  Plus she gave me a great experience that I can store aware as memories.

Here is another observation.  They really REALLY want me to be happy.  That is a number one question, you Happy? Food delicious? Enjoying yourself?  They do like that I work hard and comment on that and are pleased with my work ethic and patient sanctification and getting them better.

Several times lately, we have gone out as a group and been to places that cost roughly 50-80 RMB when a typical meal is 6-10.  Take tonight for example: this is now my weekend and the food is just so darn spicy that i got a beer (500ml) and i went get it and was going to make sure i paid for it right now, just in case someone picked up the bill.  But the cashier and friends wouldn’t let me pay.

We were done eatting and I tried to pay but no, so i was like look just take 50 RMB then… and she wouldn’t do it…and she paid for the last 2 group dinners.

Now yesterday i did get to pay for a couple of people so that made me happy.   Oh, the other day also, we went eat at a nicer place and this guy took me out for my bday twice too… so i was like oh it is so my turn to pay.  Excused myself like i was going to bathroom, went to pay and the staff was just shaking there hands and heads and was like NO you CAN NOT pay.  I’m like, Come’on please take my money PLEASE.  They wouldn’t though.

I think the locals and friends here get satisfication of being able to treat me and help me enjoy their home town.  Really i think that is a big part of it.

Not only are they taking the laowhy out but they honestly want to show off there city. Just like i would if they came to my home town.  It’s like, oh we are so going to some of the best and authentic cajun places and i don’t care the cost.    Let’s be honest, it also feels good to be catered to. hehe

Now the payback.  I’ve been here almost a month now (2 days shy).  I work with 4 guys and about 14 girls.  Closely with about 10 girls and 2 guys.  I got two gifts for opening a wifi account.  A nice teapot and a pink pig humidifer.

The guy who helped me Duan, ( i mean it took 3 hours of asking and translating to get it) picked up the humidifer for me before he came over (they ran out the day of) and we talked a little and i was like hey i wont use this and so he asked for it.  It would be Justin’s pleasure to give this to you.

Well, I had him come check out this bike for me and help get a lower price.  It’s a dual shock bicycle, now i can get around town and explore the country side more (techincally haven’t bought it but he got me a few bucks off for when i go back).

I got this idea in my head the other day.  What can I do to show appreciation to people here and tie it into maybe a thank you for being so kind to me and my first month celebration.  I got it, i notice some of them wear nail polish and again they are low 20’s but can act teenager-ish.

So, i got everyone’s favorite color.  I planned on going by myself to negotiate a price and buy like 14 bottles of nail polish in an array of colors.  Then it dawned on me, if I take Duan with me, he can get a better price for me.

Side note: that 3 hours we spent, i was so thankful for that and he kept saying no no it is my honor to help you.  Well buddy strap on the helper hat let’s go buy some nail polish.  He is the typical guy about it.  Knows nothing about it, a little awkward feeling about it, and its two dudes going buy nail polish.

I think it is hilarious… hey i helped him branch out…right?   The first place we went had great low prices, but he said its to cheap and they would know… good call sir.  Onward to the next place.  We ended up buying half in one store and half in the other.  Came out to just over a 1.20 per bottle.  And the best part is this:  sticker price is 10, i asked him to say 8.5, the store came back with 8 ( i think because i was buying so many) and the second store i was just asking for an additional 4rmb off and they took off like 18.  HOW NICE!

I gave a few bottles out and the response was very thankful.  YEAH!!!  One girl was picking between shades of red and a purple bottle. She liked the bottle a lot of purple but the color of red better.  She wanted both and i was like NOPE you have to make a choice, life is full of hard choices. And she was hem hawing around but ended up deciding on purple.

Duan was a little taken back by just spending that money for no particular reason, but i treated him to ice cream and said if you think of something you want/need around the same price just let me know.  Plus we were joking about how all the girls are going to like me now.   Dude, girls around the world love getting gifts… sit back and watch son, you can learn a thing or two about this worldwide  game of love. Time to step up your game.

There you have it.  Maybe i can do little gifts here and there, and by all means pay for food when i can.  Easier for me to pay when it’s a more causal 2-3 people for lunch… so that is an idea too.  Anyway, they have big warm hearts and i like them.