Yes, i know the title is incorrect grammar, maybe that is your first clue that this post is not a definitive guide for how to be cool in China. I know nothing of the sort. It is simply this:

While living in China for a short time i have realized that i often get asked the same questions from different people. It should go without saying that i don’t mind these questions and if you have more questions about living in China then please ask. Every year new people move to China or start thinking about moving to China and there are a lot of questions that come with a decision like that. If so many people are asking me the same questions then i am sure there are many more people seeking the same answers, but don’t want to ask or don’t know who to ask. So, i have compiled a small list of questions that i have answered many times for many people. I hope these answers will serve those who have not had the time or ability to ask me personally, but have wondered these things nevertheless.

Without further ado, here are some of the top questions i am often asked in regards to living in China.

1. How did you get your iPhone to work in China?
Simple answer: i unlocked it and swapped the SIM card to use China Mobile’s service.
Complex Answer: i did tons and tons of research online to make sure that i wasn’t going to break my phone. I read probably 100 different articles that related to iPhone unlocking techniques and tools. After a few days of research i finally settled on a small software program that i don’t even remember the name of. Yes, i did pay a small fee for the software, but it has been worth it. Now, wherever i travel i simply swap the SIM card for that country’s cellular service and i’m good to go. Yes, the data network works fine for internet and email and even Google maps. I have a first generation iPhone in case you are wondering.

2. How did you learn Chinese?
Simple answer: i didn’t.
Complex answer: i began studying basic Chinese in America after i returned from my first trip in China. This was terrible and great all at the same time. Terrible because it’s nearly impossible to learn Chinese while living in America unless you have already lived in China for an extended time. It was great because i was able to get a head start on learning pronunciation, tones, and pinyin. This head start prepared me for my first 5 months in China where i learned Chinese from a Chinese teacher. After those 5 months i have mostly learned Chinese by listening. That’s the best advice i can give. Listen. I listen everywhere i go (unless i’m really dying to listen to John Mayer on the bus, of course). I listen to Chinese at least 10 times more than i speak it. Listening helps me pick up on different grammar structures, pronunciation, tone usage, vocabulary and so much more. I can’t keep up with the pace of native speakers, but i can pick out keywords and sometimes, when all the stars align, i can learn something new.

3. How does your blog work in China?
Simple answer: I’m not using wordpress.com, blogger.com, typepad.com, or any of those other free blogging websites that are blocked here.
Complex answer: i bought my domain name, biscuet.com when i was 16 or 17 years old. I didn’t do anything with it for a very long time and then when i was 22 or 23 i decided to install Wordpress software onto the website to start blogging. This is called a “self-hosted wordpress site.” I actually don’t know what those words even mean, i just hear other people saying that so i follow their lead. The thing is this: blogging websites like listed above are blocked in China, but biscuet.com is it’s own website completely separated from those others, therefore it is not blocked. And i hate to burst your bubble, but the Chinese government does not care about the 17 of us who read biscuet.com. Oh, and yes, biscuet.com costs a little bit of money (maybe $35 per year). Yes, it’s worth every penny.

4. How do you get past China’s Great Firewall so that i can view sites like YouTube, Facebook, blogs, and more?
The only answer: i’m not answering that because what if i was wrong in question #3 and the government really does care about all 17 of us? Then they would take away my precious VPN and i could no longer see those 223 unread Facebook messages staring at me in the face.

5. How do you watch college football in China?
Simple answer: The power of the internet and a very generous friend.
Complex answer: I have access to the European ESPN360.com website for college sports. I sign in, find the game i want, and watch it. The beautiful part is that i run a cable from my computer to my TV and i play the game fullscreen on the TV as if it is a secondary monitor. The quality is cable television quality so it’s just as if i was sitting in America and watching ESPN. It’s a beautiful thing.

6. How do you know all the latest happenings in Beijing?
Simple answer: i pay attention.
Complex answer: Whenever i’m out i try to pick up the latest copy of The Beijinger magazine or Time Out Beijing magazine. Those two magazines are in English and explain everything that’s going on around town. They are generally more slanted toward all the rich foreigners and crazy college students, but it’s still fun to read restaurant reviews and know the latest greatest things going on around this crazy town. Also, about once a week i catch up on the blog over at www.thebeijinger.com

Are there any other questions you have that you’ve been wanting to ask for a really long time, but just haven’t had the opportunity? Here’s your chance. Here’s your opportunity.