Welcome Chinaful's New Contributor, Will Solomon

I'm excited to announce Will Solomon will be joining Chinaful as a contributor, bringing fresh content from the front lines of Beijing. (Look for an insider guide to Beijing from Will soon!) From Solomon's first post about China's changing spending habits, you can see that he has a keen eye for spotting differences in the US and Chinese cultures and economies. I am certain Chinaful readers will find Solomon's blogs full of unique insights—and a little adventure—as he reports on living and working in China. 

Solomon taking a nap in the subway like a local Beijinger

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The Chinaphiles: Interview with Jessica Beinecke, Creator of OMG! Meiyu

Ever wonder how American slang translates into different languages? Well, you're about to find out! This month's Chinaphiles interview is Jessica Beinecke (白洁), the creator, writer, host and producer of Voice of America’s viral daily web show “OMG! Meiyu.” In each episode, Beinecke uses Mandarin to teach American slang and culture to her young Chinese audience. With just her Apple laptop and a few props, Beinecke produces “OMG” from her one bedroom apartment in New York City, and has garnered 20 million hits since July 2011. In addition to OMG! Meiyu, Beinecke hopes to broaden her production company's cross-cultural impact with more in-depth views into the lives of young people in China and the U.S. I was eager to find out the behind-the-scenes information on how OMG! is made, how Beinecke mastered Chinese, and her favorite Chinese slang. 

 Jessica Beinecke, Creator of OMG! Meiyu

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Fu Dogs for Everyone

Ever seen a pair of lions outside a Chinese restaurant or temple, and wondered about the significance? Those guardian lions, or "Fu Dogs," trace their roots to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) as the protectors of Chinese homes, temples, and other establishments. Fu Dogs always come in pairs, often with a male and female to represent the balance of yin and yang. My favorite Fu Dogs have "pearls" in their mouth that roll around, but cannot be removed.

While the Fu Dogs were originally believed to protect their dwellings from bad spirits, nowadays they serve primarily as art. A few years ago, I picked up a pair of one-of-a-kind turquoise Fu Dogs at the Beijing Dirt Market--I was surprised to find on my return to the US that my purchase was not so unique. Like garden stools, Fu Dogs are increasingly finding their way to into Western design, usually as Chinoiserie or vintage elements. The many colors they are available can make them both modern or traditional, depending on your taste. If you visit China, you can also find them in various shades of jade. 

I recently picked up another Fu Dog for my collection. Shih-Tzus, which means "Lion" in Chinese, are the descendants of Chinese imperial pets. They are believed to be a mix of Pekingese and Tibetan Lhasa Apso breeds. These little dogs were actually bred for the purpose of warming the Emperor's hands during cold winters in China. As such, they are calm and enjoy constant companionship. When you compare the face of my little Tzu to the Fu Dogs, you can see the resemblance. Now, I just have to get his pair...

Chinaful Cooking: Making Beijing Jianbing

One of the first few mornings of living in Beijing, I encountered a modest stall, named "Beijing Breakfast," selling just one specialty. The shop owner made each one himself, in a process that seemed simple yet beyond reproduction. I could see there was a thin pancake base, eggs, cilantro and scallions. The recipe also called for several sauces with ingredients I couldn't place, and a crunchy, fried piece of deliciousness. I guessed it was tofu skin, or maybe fried dough. But after one bite, I was hooked. The jianbing (煎饼) is savory, a little spicy, and just what you need on a cold Beijing morning. Watch below to see the process--with the sounds of the Beijing streets in the background, you might just feel like you are waiting for a jianbing yourself.  

Want to try to make it at home? Check out this recipe and let me know how it goes!

$40 Cherries and China’s Changing Consumer Behaviors

In noticing China's monumental economic, cultural, and political changes, I always find it's best to look at daily life. Today's Chinaful dose comes from Will Solomon, a Beijing expat with constant opportunity to observe the subtle shifts in Chinese behavior. 

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In helping American companies enter the Chinese market, I have found Chinese companies to be incredibly price sensitive when making business decisions. Regardless of differences in quality or how much a product/service might save the company in the long term, more often than not decision makers will choose the substitute product that comes in at a lower price point and positively affects their short-term bottom line. However, there are certain markets in China, such as consumer goods, in which we’ve found almost the exact opposite is true. 

Take a look at the picture below: 

I recently saw this 236.41 RMB box of 50 Chilean cherries at an international supermarket near my office. With the current exchange rate, that box of cherries costs roughly $38.00 USD, a cost of almost $.80 per cherry.

While western grocery store chains have popped up all over Beijing, the majority are located in areas of town that are largely populated by Westerners that want their American or international fixes. These expats accept they may need to pay a premium for imported goods, but unless their conversion math is off, most of these consumers are aware of what prices should be and are only tolerant of slight price fluctuations.

But there are also some supermarket chains that have found a different niche—selling the same imported products at much higher price points in malls that have a mainly Chinese clientele. These grocery stores, including BHG selling the $38 cherries, specifically target rich and rising middle class in China that are now interested in splurging on one or two imported items to get a taste for the high life.

A majority of BHG’s consumer base is comprised of middle-class Chinese  purchasing affordable, made-to-order stir fries and other cafeteria-style options. But three-quarters of BHG’s shelf space is dedicated to very expensive imported goods. It is also interesting that BHG strategically situated the above pictured display of cherries literally right next to the line for the moderately priced stir fries. I could hear people in line chatting away in curiosity, asking each other if they have ever tried Chilean cherries before.  If this is BHG’s marketing scheme, it’s working.

While I personally would never spend $40 on a box of cherries regardless of where in the world they came from, I grew up in a country where imported goods were oftentimes cheaper than domestically produced ones. (And I would also be lying if I said that there hadn’t been many instances where I spent much more than I should have simply based on a brand or sheer curiosity.)

Will Solomon graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2008. He has spent the last three years living and working in Beijing. Currently Will serves as the Director of Business Development and Communications for the market entry consulting firm, US-Pacific Rim International, Inc. (USPRI). Will is highly proficient in Mandarin, Chinese and has traveled extensively throughout China and southeast Asia for work and leisure.