I’m currently in Shekou (Shenzhen, China). Here are some things I would like to share with you.

1. Many people reading this will think beyond all doubt that red means stop and green means go. These same people, with this same mental model, will think that red means off and green means on. I can’t blame you for thinking this way. I think this way! However, for a moment, I want to challenge your assumption. In China, red seems to means on, active, and go, whereas green means office, inactive, and stop. This isn’t 100% true, but it is damn close.

2. I saw a dude on a pink bike ride by me today. I was walking along talking with a friend and he blasts by us on this very pink, girlish looking bike. It was extremely feminine. Interestingly, I think I was the only person who giggled. Every other person walking and riding didn’t think he looked odd at all. In fact, I’m sure I looked much more odd than that guy. One of 2-3 caucasian people in a 10 mile radius! It is strange to be in the minority to this extent.

3. About one year ago I was in Shekou and there were definitely more bikes that cars. Without a doubt. However, now there are cars everywhere. I dare say that there might be as many cars as bikes. Well, maybe not, but the growth in cars in this Chinese economic development zone is serious. Very serious. It is also extremely interesting to me that the cars are quite large. I’ve seen Mercedes, Buick, Nissan, Honda, and VW. I’m told that VW was the first to dig into this area, maybe even China as a whole, and they are the market leaders. (Isn’t this all wonderful market intelligence? You can’t buy this stuff it is so good!)

4. I’m using a cell phone modem card. Using jargon I would say I am using a PCMCIA CDMA Modem. You throw the card in the slot, load the driver, click a few buttons, enter a username, password, and calling number, and you are set. It is extremely easy to use. And, remember, I’m in China. The infrastructure supporting this card is in place. Of course, I feel that this is definitely a luxury and would venture that most people walking down the street would not be able to afford this.

5. People are skinny. Some look healthy, some do not. I’m not that big of a guy in America but I’m bigger than almost all the Chinese I encounter. That doesn’t mean much, but it is interesting I think. It is certainly different than what I am used to.

6. I’m in China but I ate in an Irish pub, which of course is owned by an Australian company. About 2 blocks from the place I am staying (which requires that I walk by the hookers in front of some bars), there is, of course, a McDonalds and a Starbucks. The place I’m at was basically built for the sake of the expatriates. They call the place “SeaWorld” because there is a boardwark, beach area, and a boat. It isn’t that dirty at all, but the quality of the construction could be better, and there is a litter problem. There people here are not as tidy as they are in, say, Singapore.