Asian Blog # 14
January 30, 2016
Anecdotes:
Our Priority Pass Airport Lounge Card works much better in most foreign countries than the usual American airline carrier's lounge card. The Priority Pass Lounge in Singapore offered multi-ethnic/cultural foods. In addition, sandwiches, salads and other food was for the taking (no charge) should a passenger feel that they wanted a snack on their flight. Unlike American carriers, most Asian flights serve food that is quite elaborate - even if the flight is for one hour.
In some cases, we were also able to use the card in First Class lounges
In some cases, we were also able to use the card in First Class lounges
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We were booked for Row 35 on one of our flights. We kept asking to be moved closer to the front. The ticket agent was trying to explain to us that our seats were actually quite good. The more we asked, the more frustrated was the ticket agent. We gave up. It wasn't until we got on the plane that we discovered that the higher numbers started at the front of the plane. Funny!
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Plane safety is universal
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Goggle and Face Book as well as most "social media" systems are censored by the Chinese government. Yahoo is (somewhat) available as is a Chinese version of Yahoo. However, it is impossible to access some internet sites. When talking to some of the locals, it is clear to us that there is real fear when discussing the subject.
Shanghai: Designing into the future
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We took opportunities to speak to many young adults. They are very aware of their government's "inappropriate" policies, money pocketing and other ilk's. How much longer will the young and bright youth accept their government's policies?
Coke: America and China --> Capitalistic partners!
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The Asian hotels were ornate. The designs are definitely traditional "Chinese" rather than using current and more modern design styles.
Lounge sliding door
Lounge area
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It was very cold in Shanghai - low 20's but felt like low teens or even minus temperatures when the wind kicked up. The hotel reception areas, malls, most stores and many public area are not heated.
Whether we were inside or outside, everyone is bundled up.
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Over the years of our traveling, we have given Frisbee's to people throughout the world. Usually, the Frisbee is given to someone as a "Thank you" for something special that was done for us. For the very first time, a recipient wanted to do something -- for us!
Whether we were inside or outside, everyone is bundled up.
China: Lots of young people
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"James," a Shangri-la Hotel Horizon lounge intern (Shanghai), was willing to take his personal (off work) time and show us around his city. Normally, guests treat hotel staff as subservient . So, this was a special moment for him. We politely declined but this was also a special moment for us.
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Twice, we happened to be in our Shanghai hotel room when there was a knock on the door. Housekeeping ask if we wanted turn down service. We declined - it was not necessary. However, Jerry did ask the woman if she had candy. With a big smile, she handed him a packet of instant coffee.
There was a similar knock the next evening. Again, Jerry asked (this time) if she had any chocolates. With a big smile, he got two packets of instant coffee.
There was a similar knock the next evening. Again, Jerry asked (this time) if she had any chocolates. With a big smile, he got two packets of instant coffee.
The point? Still, even in upscale Asian hotels, there is very little English spoken and when it is spoken, often we are not understood and/or the staff will choose the wrong words. (This is not a complaint - only an observation!)
Perkin Elmer's products analyze unknown substances: Geological (i.e. mines, petroleum, etc.), equipment checks for lead in paint (Children's/Mattel toys), foreign substances in food (pet food, powdered milk), etc.
Even more significant is when Jerry returns to Los Angeles. Detailed meeting notes have to be written. Many PMI meetings will occur. Scores of action items have to be addressed. There is a lot of work involved with these business trips
Palace guard
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Besides the Chinese government issues, there is a lot of negative sentiment about the corrupt Taiwanese, Malaysian and Korean governments.
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Regulations for public step sizes and locations do not exist - particularly in the public restrooms. There are also step problems in hotels. Traveler beware! Steps appear where they should not be and where they should be, they do not exist!
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Everywhere we went - local people would quiz us about Trump. There is a lot of concern about him.
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About 30 minutes from the Shanghai airport (heading to town), there were several "Trump Apartment Towers." He's everywhere...
Another modern Shanghai building: Reaching up into the night sky
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A remarkable story: A professional Taiwanese friend (friendship over 15 years) mentioned that he (along with several other relatives) all have twin children. Our friend's twins are teenagers. The friend mentioned that (unlike the other family members) his brother was unable to have children. Years ago, our friend offered to give one of his new born children to his brother. Although quite admirable, the father of the brothers stopped our thoughtful friend from separating the new born children. Interesting!
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Coffee Bean, McDonald's and Starbucks, etc. - are all over Asia. We saw a Starbucks inside an old-styled Chinese house.
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Bowing styles differ between Japan, Korea and China. Japanese bows are much deeper and more repetitive when people meet or do something for each other. Chinese do bow but it is a lot less formal, significantly less deep and often there are situations where there is no bowing. Koreans do bow - more often than the Chinese, less deep than the Japanese.
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American (NBA) basketball is huge in China. Kobe Bryant is more than a super hero, more than an icon - he's immortal. Far down in second place is Lebron James. Allen Iverson (with all of his piercings and tattoos) is also well known.
Koreans, although they like American basketball, it seems that Major League Baseball is more popular - particularly since there have been some Korean baseball players on Dodger teams.
Koreans, although they like American basketball, it seems that Major League Baseball is more popular - particularly since there have been some Korean baseball players on Dodger teams.
Hyun-Jin Ryu
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We were stared at a lot - where ever we went. Maybe, out of ten thousand or so pedestrians at a time, we were the only Caucasians. Of the entire Caucasian population (during our travels), most were British or Australians.
Often, locals would wear jackets and shirts with American (and sometimes UK) sport team logos. When Jerry would walk up to some of these people and point out a New York Yankees or Los Angeles Laker logo, the locals might not understand the significance of the logo. It turns out some of these locals got the apparel as a gift and thought more about the gift being "American" than what the logo represented.
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All shoppers like a sale!
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Everywhere we went there was free Internet and with unlimited devices. Even the airport luggage carts are free.This perk is an "Asian expectation." Too bad American hotels and airports can't find a way to make things easier for the traveler! (It can't be all about the money...or is it?)
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The Chinese have an interesting way to point to something or a polite way to escort guests. As Americans, we tend to flip our hands in a particular direction. The Chinese will stretch out their arm - parallel to the floor - and walk with the guest while maintaining that outstretched arm. Nice!
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Jerry likes to play games, particularly with small children. He would walk up to the kids that would be with their parents, get the kid's attention and then "pull coins out of the child's ear." Lots of fun, laughs, etc. The kids are shocked and can't figure how they could have a coin in an ear. Even if English would not be understood, the parents would crack up. "Humor" is universal!
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Before the Korean airport buses leave for a destination, the bus drivers bow to the passengers. Interesting cultural mandate. There was one Korean bus ride to the airport that took an hour longer than anticipated. The bus driver did everything he could to make up for lost time. Upon disembarking, Jerry shook the bus driver's hand who was standing at the side of the bus. You could not believe the bus driver's appreciative smile. Most likely, the driver has never been thanked for a "thankless" job!
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In some locations, there are small TV screens (advertising a product or a show) in the wall in front of the men's urinal.
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As part of the Korean culture, tips are not expected, not allowed. Koreans believe in doing their job, of course being "Thanked," etc.
Jerry does not ordinarily know who the end user will be or the final application for the PMI power supplies.
Small world story: My ophthalmologist (a blog recipient) indicated that his profession uses a laser product that has a PMI power supply.
Small world story: My ophthalmologist (a blog recipient) indicated that his profession uses a laser product that has a PMI power supply.
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All of the hotel beds and pillows were fantastic.
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Just as some of us struggle with chopsticks, we happened to notice some Chinese struggling with a knife and fork.
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There was an interesting story on China TV. The Chinese government stated that there are too many Drone problems (in China) and that policies and guidelines are required. Sound familiar?
Chinese military drone
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China puts spam/ads on our cell phones. Jerry is still getting them - even after returning to the United States.
Screen shots of our cell phone
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China is more concerned about driving safely (seat belts) than human rights!
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We met a group of people (in a hotel lounge) that were working for the IMF (International Money Fund). These folks were helping the Chinese government with some financial tasks. More interesting was the non-stop drinking. It reminded us of the secret service that had nothing to do but to drink and look for women.
Unlike American hotels that may have a Gideon's Bible or The Book of Morman, all of the Shangri-La Hotels have by the bedside, the classic "Lost Horizons." And, as part of the hotel turn down service, there is a bookmark placed on the bed. Printed on the bookmark is a passage from the book. (Very nice touch!)
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Korean hotel decorates lounge with old (pharmacy) drawers
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Asian airports and passport controls are now doing something which is actually quite clever.
Coming into a country, passenger pictures and fingerprints are taken. On the way out of the country, pictures (again) are taken as well as fingerprints. The two sets (coming and and going out) are matched to ensure that the identity is the same.
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Nice greeting!
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We happened to meet in Seoul a Mongolian family. We had a pleasant conversation. English was quite good. One of the children (8-year old boy) spoke perfect English and knew how to do a "knuckle bump." How did that happen? He's going to a British school in his home country.
Nice greeting!
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We happened to meet in Seoul a Mongolian family. We had a pleasant conversation. English was quite good. One of the children (8-year old boy) spoke perfect English and knew how to do a "knuckle bump." How did that happen? He's going to a British school in his home country.
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It is interesting to see the quick evolution from a Mao-styled jacket to designer clothes.
Hotel guest
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It's tragic that a one hour drive north of us is North Korea where people are starving. The Seoul locals can have anything they want.
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Let's buy a "Selfie stick!"
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We were lucky - no smog in China!
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Pretty hotel decoration
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Shanghai: Airport (purified) water dispenser
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Like Detroit's Henry Ford, in Korea, you can have any color car as long as it is white, gray or black...
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Preparing for the Asian meetings required a significant amount of time. Jerry put in close to 100 hours to get ready.
Another key (semiconductor industry) customer
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Once in a while, we will happen to be at the right place at the right time
Seoul: Changing of the palace guards
Palace guard
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Trade show badges
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Some of the many converters we had to have for the trip
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Korean Airlines Lounge: World Cup soccer balls
Getting ready to head for home
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Korean Airlines flight attendant uniform
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Our plane to Los Angeles took off in a Northerly direction - we headed directly toward the North Korean border - banked right and headed east toward Japan. How many planes taking off from Incheon International airport stray or almost stray into "dangerous territory?" The flight map on our plane indicated that we were encroaching onto North Korea territory.
Our plane to Los Angeles took off in a Northerly direction - we headed directly toward the North Korean border - banked right and headed east toward Japan. How many planes taking off from Incheon International airport stray or almost stray into "dangerous territory?" The flight map on our plane indicated that we were encroaching onto North Korea territory.
Going home on an A-386
Finally!
The end: Until the next time...
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