Photo of the day: Trump Building

A China version of Trump Tower in New York 5th Avenue - Trump Building! This Trump Building located along Dingxi road near Zhongshan park.

Popularity: 10% [?]

In recent years, housing prices in major cities like Shanghai & Beijing have really soared. If we had bought an apartment back in 2004 when we arrived, we would have made at least 50% profit if we sell it now (really feel like kicking ourselves).

The prices have risen to a level where it is almost impossible for an average working professional to own a house without carrying a debt for the rest of their lives. We have observed two trends here in china that is rather unique and interesting:

1. 1. Young couples in their mid-twenties are under great pressure to buy a roof over their heads. Part of the reason is the rising price. They figure that, if they buy a house later, it would most likely cost more.
2. 2. Usually the couple’s parents end up paying for the down payment (10~20%). Given the huge discrepancies between housing price and average salary, it is virtually impossible for most young couples to come up with the money for down payment. Hence their parents would have to chip in. China’s one child policy also means that parents feel more obligated to help their child financially.

So… Mom, Dad, have I told you I love you guys…ahm…about that house…

Popularity: 10% [?]

This is what Ajisen Ramen’s fried mussels looks like in the picture:

This is what Ajisen Ramen’s fried mussels looks when it was served:

I still recall the first time we dined in a South East Asian restaurant in Raffles Place, People’s Square. The food and atmosphere was average. It was an incident that left a deep impression. A local couple ordered Indonesian pineapple rice and when it arrived, they complained loudly to the waiter that the dish was different from the picture in the menu. Finally the cook came along, apologized and took the dish back. I could not imagine this scene happening back home.

I saw this happened a few times in Shanghai actually. Initially I could not understand all this fuss until Ron and I had lunch at Ajisen. We ordered ramen and some fried dumplings. The fried mussels really looked big and delicious and we ordered this dish. And then the mussels arrived. What the heck! These tiny little mussels were not look appetizing at all.

Guess we finally understand how that couple felt. Being the “peaceful” type of people, we did not make a big fuss but quietly noted it down in our “Never make this mistake again” list!

Popularity: 16% [?]