Newcomer Orientation

Yesterday I attended Shanghai Community Center's 1-2-3 Newcomer Orientation. After perusing a few booths (including one renting mountain bikes... and bike trailers - yay!), we were asked to be seated to hear the panelists. A panel of expats, including an American pediatrician, a Norwegian counselor, an American businessman, a Taiwanese trailing spouse, and the director of the community center spoke for about an hour and took questions. They shared many interesting facts, and answered many interesting questions. Below are the questions and answers which I found most interesting:

Q: Is it safe to drink the water here?
Pediatrician: Shanghais' water purification system is world class. The water leaving the plant is some of the best in the world. Shanghai's pipes are some of the worst, and water picks up so many chemicals on the way to the tap that it becomes undrinkable. If water will be boiled, it is safe to cook with it. If you don't have particularly sensitive skin, it is safe to bathe in. But don't brush your teeth with or drink the water from the tap.

Q: How can I avoid turberculosis?
Pediatrician: TB is 3 times more prevalent here than in the United States - that's not terrifically high. Still, its something to watch out for. The vaccine for TB is effective as a public health measure, but not such a good idea on an individual basis. Rather, TB is a slow growing disease and extremely manageable in the early stages. At your regular check-ups, have a skin test done for TB.

Q: Does the community center provide child care for their many classes?
Community Center Director: Unfortunately, all of our space is used for the classes we provide. Many people have childcare at home through their ayis, don't have children, or attend while their children are in school. We do offer one class for mothers and children to take together, called Music Together.

Q: What are the biggest challenges you've faced working in Shanghai?
Businessman: Ethics have often become an issue. We are working in a different culture here, where many things which are clearly unethical in our home country may be perfectly fine. I've faced some very difficult decisions about how to handle what seemed like unethical practices.

Q: Is it true that the air pollution is so bad that I shouldn't jog in Shanghai?
Pediatrician: (Pause) Run anyway.

Q: Some Chinese food - fish brains and eyes, last week - has upset my stomach. What should I do?
Pediatrician: Your bowels adjust over about a 2 week time period. After that, your stomach will react to whatever it chooses. It would be a crying shame to live in Shanghai and avoid Chinese food altogether. So, eat it anyway.

Q: What can I do about the air pollution?
Pediatrician: Avoid the places where it is the worst - around traffic and exhaust fumes, and in low-lying areas. Also, air purifiers can make a difference in your home. The pollution here may not be as bad, compared to our homes, as it looks. I've seen no higher incidence of asthma attacks in my time here than in my work in California.
Further, the Chinese are taking their cues from western companies. So set a high standard on environmental friendliness in your office, and you'll be doing a world of good for Chinese air quality.