standard Mandarin doesn’t sound good. The southern accents are just so much better. Also the weather is so much better in the south. Food is better in the south. There is little incentive to a Chinese learner to ever go to the north of China. So it’s just natural to learn the southern Mandarin, like in Yunnan or Sichuan. But I guess everyone has a different taste

How about you? Which place in China do you like most, south or north?

I like to go alone, because it is more thrilling. Will I be able to make friends? I like this challenge. There is nothing like being ony my own and then starting a conversation with a whole group of Chinese. Adrenaline! Well, I like challenges in general.

Your advice is good, especially this one:
我戒烟了. haha, that’s slick

And about the decent mandarin, I hope to get my ass over to China again, hopefully before this year ends, then I can close my textbook, mp3s,… and just learn on the street, in the bar,…

Prerequisites for having a fun time in a Chinese Club

1) Go with a large group of friends (some Chinese, and some Westerners preferable)

2)Arrive at the club already wasted. Pregaming is essential because nobody is having a good time while paying 40 kuai for a tsingtao beer.

3) Make a reservation for a table before hand. Chinese clubs have no place to sit if you aren’t a paying customer. No better way to look like a tool, than to be smushed up against the wall in a crowded nightclub.

4) Pool your money, and buy a big bottle of liquor. Have your party all thrown in a 100 kuai note a person. Depending on the bar, this should be more than enough to ensure everyone is drinking, and having a good time.

5) For the guys, let the women come to you. Enjoy your drink, and exude confidence. Having decent mandarin won’t hurt either.

6) If you don’t smoke, you will be offered cigarettes repeatedly. I have found that the best way to diffuse the situation is to say I quit smoking 我戒烟了 wǒ jiè yān le. Even if you never smoke to began with, everyone will respect your determination.

These are just simple rules for enjoying yourself at a Chinese Club. Going to a Chinese Club is kinda like taking acid. If the conditions are right, you will have an amazing experience, and find yourself awake till the sunrise. If the conditions are suboptimal, you will find yourself crying in the corner, ready to be taken home in a wheelbarrow.

Enjoy

@Junjie

I went to a club while in Chengdu in the Summer of 09. It was 88. Not sure if you have been there or not. Standard club seen. Weird chandeliers and pistons, pulleys, and gears coming out from the wall. Beijing also has it’s share of “steam punk” inspired Night Clubs. Luckily for me Beijing has a big enough expat population where you don’t have to subject yourself to pretentious over priced mega clubs.

How is it in Taiwan? I know the movies of Taiwan are more salacious. In a mainland movie a couple rarely kisses, but in Taiwanese movies they do. I was kind of confused when I read the article about people rarely having sex in Taiwan, which you linked on your blog. Do couples hold hands on the street during the day? Do couples kiss when they meet somewhere in public? Like a hello-kiss.

As long as I can keep my audience entertained I will go on with my style.

You like to go over the top sometimes, ah?