Hi! I am James a 31 year old gentleman from England living as an expat in Shanghai, making a living stealing batteries from electric scooters and selling them round the back of the Railway Station as a software engineer..
I'm on the left.
This blog has been going since January 2007 so there’s a lot to look at, you might find the list of keywords below useful to browse. You might just want to dive in with today’s post.
Have fun, and remember that comments make bloggers happy.
Your blog is keeping me truely entertained. A toast to the gentleman!
Hi there, me again. I’m coming to Shanghai this summer and need some advice on mobile phones. I don’t want to pay roaming rates all the time, am I best off buying one over there and getting on a Chinese network? Is this difficult to do?
Also, what about money? Will I be ripped off if I use my debit card over there to take out Yuan? Should I bring lots of GBP in cash and buy there?
Cheers,
Jack
Hey Jack- my bird says that a SIM card is just 50RMB when you get here, and your Britisher mobile will work just dandy.
Don’t bother with loads of GBP, just use your ATM card (it’s Visa right?) when you get here- travelling is dead easy these days mate.
James,
Cheers for the reply, my debit card is a HSBC Maestro. I have a barclaycard visa too, worth bringing along despite the higher fees? How are they about debit cards over there? What are withdrawal fees like?
Many thanks,
Jacko
Well HSBC stands for HongKong Shanghai err Bank Company or something- there are a fair few branches of it out here so I would think you’ll be fine using that one. Bring the Barclaycard if you know the PIN, it never hurts to have a parachute.
You get stung for a couple of quid whenever you make a withdrawal, and can take out whatever your UK daily limit is (the Chinese limit is much higher). There probably is a better way to do it, but there isn’t one that takes less effort- and at the end of the day, that’s laziness you can take to the bank.
Loving your blog! love your humour haha.
i subscribed your blog and i like what you’ve shared on your blog.lol
Mate have you seen this? Seems there’s a misguided view that you have left China for good!
Woai- what the deuce! I’ve written to them and informed them of their error
So where did this come from then:
A blog I wrote while working in Shanghai for 15 months, looking at all the small details that make up the experience of living in a foreign country. Oh, and photos of drunkards who wet themselves.
Are you saying these are not your words?
How odd!
I put something like, “A blog looking up the small details that make up….”. I’ve not been here for 8 months yet, never mind 15
i’ve been following swiss james around through his blogs and i can honestly say my work hrs tend to go bit faster. how can u possibly go wrong w/ a white dude cracking jokes about ddongjjim… anyhow, i’m a huge fan of this blog and keep up the good work, james!
hey again
have to point out whilst you were offering your self for a taxi and arsing about in the snow i was reading god awful books about the 88 education act. i’m missing asia, but i’ll be visiting jie jie in a month, i got my visa and everything.
xxx frances
hey Frances! We’ve already got half your itinerary planned out, he ni de mama ye shi.
Can I just point out already that the water in the shower is really cold though so you might want to start conditioning yourself to that.
cool blog dude
Hi James,I recently spent a week in Shanghai and had great time. Having not been there since1958 I knew it was going to be a real eye opener, and so it was. Some of the credit for my successful visit is due to your blog which I picked up on from Shanghaiexpats.
I followed up on many of your suggestions where to eat and wasn’t disappointed I especially enjoyed the steamed dumplings in Wujiang lu. “Better Than Movie World” was a huge temptation I eventually settled for 14 movie/music DVDs I was fully prepared to have them ‘snatched’ by the customs here in Oz but was waved through and I must admit a huge sigh of relief. However, the gifts I brought back for my family were absolute winners- – - – -
the Buddha Boxes, I was able to figure out approx were these Buddhist shops where and with a little help from the staff at “The Spot” they directed me with a sketch.
I intend to follow your blog so expect a comment or two along the way.
I’m already looking at dates for a return visit to this fascinating city even as early as next year,if I do I’d like to shout you a beer.
What a pity! No body knows!
If Chinese know… Hm… :]
So, i have a bunch of people who want me to take them out tonight; they travel back to England tomorrow…the thing is, i’ve never been out on a tuesday night!!!
if anyone has an idea of a good bar/club with open bar or discounted drinks (tuesday) or just some place that is happening tonight , let me know
cheers,
Henry
If you’re going out early, the Blue Frog and The Spot both have Happy Hours until 8pm. bonbon is always open bar, tonight they’re having
which could be good fun- think it’s 88RMB for guys, less for women.
But the bargain to end all bargains on a Tuesday is the open bar at Windows Underground- 50RMB for all you can drink- presumably that doesn’t include the Corona bottles, but it must include the Tiger, TsingTao and house spirits. They’ve got a pool table and good times in there, I recommend the place.
Thanks a lot mate! be sure to check out Blue Frog, and Bon Bon sounds interesting as well.
Cheers
Hi James,
My name is Yao I am a writer for USC’s online magazine, U.S.-China Today (uschina.usc.edu/). I am writing an article about blogs written by expats in China. I think the topics on your blog is interesting and would like to interview you for my article.
We can conduct the interview through e-mail to make it more convenient for you. Please respond to me by e-mail.
Thank You,
Yao
Hi mate
Nice Blog, indeed. But why Swiss James if you are a pommy???
Nevermind. As for my part I’m visiting Shanghai with 3 other blokes in October for 5 weeks and will definately use your Blog as a guide to find the hidden secrets of the town. And who knows – maybe we meet somewhere…! I shout you a beer then…!
Cheers from a real Swiss mate
Why are you called swiss james?
I was looking for someone from Switzerland and found you are actually English LOL
anyway, i just wanted to say hi
Noname, he’s full of holes like Swiss Cheese innit.
Hi James,
I know you write for shanghaiist and city weekend, so I am writing to ask if you also want to write for us.
Our site (www.echincities.com)is an English-language website that provides a comprehensive range of services and information for both international visitors and China-based expats.
We’are currently looking for English editors. It would be great if we can cooperate with you. Please send me email if you are interested in this.
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Lily
Very entertaining blog… I am here for the semester, and I shall definitely keep reading
hi there
is it possible if u cud tell me about some wedding portrait photo studio in shanghai as hv not been able to find any in the google search. will appreciate it highly
thnx a ton
No idea about wedding portraits, sorry Angie.
I recommend you join the forum at Shanghai Expat and ask the people on there.
Hi Swiss James, I finally thought I found a swiss mate but now I see you are from England
Anyways, I have to saty a few weeks (or better months) in Shanghai and would be cool if we could go for a drink…
Actually I stay in a Hotel in Minhua distirict, what do you think about for a drink nect week?
Cheers
Hoc
Wiggy maybe if you posted more than once a month people would be more likely to see the posts!
Shoe Tuesday–definitely weird. But you give me an idea.
Really weird!! You have a shoe fetish!
And the shoe music! 
Fuck u whitiey..stop molesting little chinese kids..u dirtyEnglish paedophile
I think that’s spelt “whitey”
Tod – It takes one to know one.
WoAi – I think it’s the moustache
James – I think it’s because Tod is sexually frustrated.
Hi James, first time to check your blog. Promise to go back to check your fresh views on Shanghai! I live here too, and I’m an expat too, love to read other perspectives from China. Regards! Heidi
Hi James and Happy New Year 2009!
I found your blog looking for Chinglish Chinese New Year songs. I got this one on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMAMcnGnmsw), but I don’t want to learn Chinglish…
Is it good Mandarin?
Marc- you don’t want to ask my advice on Mandarin, I’m always making a complete tit of myself when I speak to the locals.
Oh… thanks anyway!
Haha Marc! Funny video! Always good stuff when I come to ISpyShanghai!
The best for 2009!
he’s called swiss james for the same reason that swiss tony is called swiss tony….
i’m guessing….
fun blog dude!
get here from the link in ur signature on shexpat forum
great blog!
though not started further tour around yet
btw happy new year(CNY)!
good luck!
Wow ! Stealing Batteries and making a living?
Actually Id like to follow your blog but don’t know how?
Check out mine on Twinboysheila.blogspot.com
Hey Mikki you’re so fine- I follow blogs by using google.com/reader and subscribing to the feed.
It’s pretty useful once you get the hang of it
Hi, still not sure how can i follow your blog, which i find really fine and entertaining! Pls advise
Maria- you could sign up for the daily email, or do it like this; http://andywibbels.com/flash/google_reader.htm
It’s been a while that I haven’t enjoyed reading some posts!
don’t you people have anything positive to say about china and the chinese people? stop being racist and respect the country you are in.
I like chinese
Is Youtube back in China? If so, then have a gander at this goose:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04QoA44c23A
I like Chinese food/The Waiters never are rude
Think of the many things they’ve done to impress
There’s Maoism
Taoism
i-Ching
and chess
The women are tasty.
And have very nice legs. Except the ones with scary feet.
I am writing an article for an english magazine in Korea about the expats and expat areas in Shanghai, Tokyo and Seoul and would love to ask you a few questions. If you are interested send me an email and I will send you some questions.
thanks and good work on the blog
man…i lol regarding your massage story. way too funny.
haha youre so funny. cant believe i havent found your blog before.
i try to keep one up too, mine happenws to be in swedish, and the site is all messed upp so no links work and you cant comment the posts. it kinda sucks and its basically just my friends and family who actually read it.
nice to see a well functioning, interesting, and yet fun blog about life in shanghai.
keep up the good work
/ a new reader.