Global village

Beijing

Down under delights

Tonight is the last night to taste the delights from Down Under in the Grand Cafe, Grand Hyatt in Beijing. Experience the innovative culinary excellence and indigenous flavor of Australia paired with selected wines from the region. Lunch runs from 11.30am-2.30 pm, and dinner from 5.30pm-10pm. For more information, call 8518-1234 ext. 3638.

Charity drive

Michael Shagrin, an Australian working in Beijing for the National Australia Bank and co-organizer of the 2007 inaugural Charity Golf Day to Support Kids in China said more than 50 players had so far signed up to play at the Huanggang International Golf Club on June 8.

With 11 major sponsors onboard and a host of sporting memorabilia to raffle off, Shagrin and fellow Australian expat Paul Davison hope to raise more than 50,000 yuan ($6,500) for the Yunnan Institute of Development and the New Hope Foundation. To reserve a place, e-mail pdavison@santafe.com.cn

Facing up to new friends

In a world made smaller by technology, it's no surprise many expats in China use the Internet to broaden their social networks. Facebook, up against dominant rivals like MySpace and Bebo, had a 106 percent increase in traffic over the past seven months, according to Internet traffic monitor, Hitwise.

Facebook users can post blogs, upload photos and join in discussions on economy or less serious online groups such as "Engrish" appreciation clubs.

As of this week, almost 16,000 Facebook users were part of the China network, sharing stories and posting must-go-to events across China such as the Shanghai Pillow Fight, Will & Cat Big Birthday Bash and the Memorial Day Blowout party at Yangtze University, Jingzhou.

Shanghai

Shiver me timbers

Antique Road TV show host Lars Tharp will don the garb of Long John Silver at the British Chamber of Commerce Treasure Island charity ball next weekend. Lars specializes in ceramics and Chinese works of art and also chairs BBC Radio 4's antiques quiz.

Born in Copenhagen, Lars studied archaeology at Cambridge, after which he became a director and auctioneer with Sotheby's in London. The British Chamber Annual Charity Ball is being held at Le Royal Meridien She Shan on June 2. For more information, contact jane.prince@sha.britcham.org

AND ANOTHER THING...

Fuzhou

Not in Kansas anymore

Young American Benjiman Ross (pictured below) has one of the more unusual expat jobs you'll find in China. The Kansas man has worked the past month as a trainee at a Fuzhou barber salon. Duties include sweeping hair, cleaning bathrooms, assisting barbers and entertaining customers. He was allowed three days off. His hours are 9 am to 8 pm. He gets paid 800 yuan ($104) a month, which is what Ross would make in one day of teaching English.

Why? "What I hope to gain from this experience is an understanding of what Chinese workers go through on a daily basis. What is it like to work a job 10 hours a day, six days a week, for a salary of less than $100 a month? How will this put into perspective my life in China as a foreigner or my life in America as an American?"

Check out Ross' blog at http://www.benross.net/wordpress/

(China Daily 05/25/2007 page19)