bcfl vdlc helpful hints

BCFL/VDLC 2014 Trip to China

June 3rd

Helpful Hints

Where are we going?What to expect

We’ll visit Beijing Shanghai Shandong Province

What if I get lost? Take the hotel business card with you Take the telephone number of our

Chinese translator/guide with you Ask someone for help – someone

(especially younger people) will speak English, unlike in 1974

In meetings Ask questions Be polite Remember, it’s tiring for interpreters Take notes (can compile a summary

for use in our reports to BCFL, VDLC and individual unions)

Perhaps we could do a conference on China or a series of presentations upon our return

Light luggage We will be on and off planes, trains,

buses and vans so please pack lightly

Print your plane ticket and take it with you for check-in

at airport Copy your passport

photo page and your visa page and stick copies in various places

Keep your departure card (get it with arrivals card in Beijing)

Electricity 220 volt (we use 110) Chargers and plugs for cameras,

computers, cell phones:

You probably won’t need a transformer because most have built-in systems now

Hotel Rooms Where is the light

switch? Use your key card in

the slot by the door Many light switches,

TV, radio, etc. have controls in the bed’s headboard

Do not rely on hotels for wakeup calls

Bring an alarm clock

Optional: to bring Optional: camera, charger, small

computer, ethernet cord, plug in converter

If you bring a cell, remember to turn off the internet function because of roaming charges

Hotel rooms will have soap, shampoo and hair dryers. But a few may not have hair dryers (if you need one, it must be 220 volts).

If you use hair conditioner, bring it.

To give away To give away, business cards, union

pins, pens and small presents Can get Canada pins and BC pins

from MPs/MLAs

What about money? There are ATMs

everywhere Can change CAD

dollars or withdraw money at airport

Don’t bring travellers’ cheques

Credit cards are accepted some places

It will be hot and humid Room temperature is no less than 26 degrees Outside temperatures will be 30 and more Wear a hat or carry an umbrella outside when

sightseeing Wear cool clothing such as short sleeved shirts Wear sandals but shoes must be comfortable

for walking You will need jacket and tie for formal banquets

but rest of time dress casually (not shorts) Bring sunscreen

What about the water? Drink lots of water but

don’t drink the water Don’t drink the water out

of the tap But drink lots of bottled

water or boiled water – use the kettle in your room

Speaking of drinks, watch out for mao tai – sorghum liquor – white lightening

What about the food? It will be great at banquets Wait to be seated (Irene and Joey first) At banquets, pace yourself Does anyone have any dietary issues? Coffee is relatively rare outside of

breakfast buffets so you should bring instant coffee and powdered milk and sugar if you need it

Shandong 2009

When you can, sleep On the plane, on the bus, on the train It’s about 11-12 hours to fly from

Vancouver to Beijing or Shanghai The time change is difficult When it’s 8 am in Beijing, it’s 5 pm in

Vancouver, the previous day

What to buy in China? Best to delay most souvenir shopping

till Shanghai because you will have to carry it

What about translation? They will have generally good translation

which will be accurate as possible We will have Xinying Hu who teaches in the

Labour Studies Programme at SFU Please remember to speak slowly, use short

sentences and pause

We will all sometimes be Tired Hot Overwhelmed Irritable But if so, please complain to me, not to

our hosts 2009 trip to Shandong

What if I forget My toothbrush, socks, tie, etc. You can buy anything you need in

China But please remember that each minor

shopping trip causes delay

Important to be prompt Every time you forget something and

run back upstairs to your hotel room, it delays things

Chinese are prompt

What to read about unions in China?

If you have a chance, read this book: Tim Pringle: Trade Unions in China:

The Challenge of Labour Unrest Book review: http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/

cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3135&context=ilrreview

Questions and comments?

Please feel free to send me an email: cathywalker856@gmail.com

Thanks very much!