116 CultureShock! China
the front and ask the driver to tell you when you are at
your destination.
Most petty theft occurs on buses. If you are riding a public bus,
be sure to keep your wallet and other important personal items
in a secure place. A number of people have had rear pockets
and backpacks slit with a knife and possessions lifted.Hiring a Private Car
Many new residents, especially those with children, opt to
lease a car and driver while living in China. With your own
car and driver, you are more in control of your schedule,
and are unlikely to face the situation of being 30 minutes
late arriving at work or meetings because of a taxi shortage
caused by rain or rush hour.
Long-term car hires are less expensive than purchasing
your own car. The leasing company will take care of insurance,
maintenance and any traffic issues that arise, which takes a
significant administrative burden off of you.
You can lease a full-sized luxury car like a Buick or Passat
for about 8,000 to 11,000 Rmb per month. A driver typically
costs less than 1,000 Rmb per month. You need to pay
additional for overtime.
Drivers rarely speak English—you will need to employ the
same technique of written direction and pre-trip briefings by
your assistant to assure you arrive at the proper destination
in a timely manner.Driving on Your Own
Although the police are attempting to put more order into
China’s streets, driving in China is still one of the highest
risk adventures you can undertake. In China, every person
that drives will be in a minor traffic accident at least twice
a year. Even if you are a very safe and experienced driver,
you are closely surrounded by people who did not grow up
in a car culture. Most people driving in China have only been
licensed within the last ten years. Many drive a car as if it
were the same as riding a bicycle.
That said, a number of expats are steadfast in their desire
for freedom of movement. This can only be addressed by