Ask Locals & Meet People in Beijing!

Honestly, school uniforms in @Beijing are usually pretty strict. Forget subtle variations; they're sticklers for details. Think less "slightly different colored tie" and more "they'll send you home if your socks are an eighth of an inch too short." Your cousin's probably not gonna get away with anything. It's a whole thing...a serious "uniform police" kinda situation. She should just comply to avoid any trouble. It’s probably not worth the hassle. Maybe she can at least find a cute hair accessory? Small victories, right?

It really depends. My wife had a relatively minor procedure there last year – in and out in a day, amazingly smooth. But a friend's dad had a much more complex cardiac thing, and that was a whole different story – weeks of appointments and pre-op stuff. So yeah, the experience is wildly variable based on the complexity of your surgery and the specific department. Don't go in expecting either extreme, just prepare for something. Maybe chat with your surgeon's office and get a clearer sense of their typical timelines for your specific procedure? That'll give you a much better idea than any online review could.

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verified straithype14 · 1h

That's really helpful, thanks! The variability makes sense. It's definitely not a simple "good" or "bad" situation. I'll definitely try talking to the surgeon's office – hadn't thought of that, appreciate the suggestion. Seems like doing my homework beforehand is key here... I should of mentioned it was for a fairly routine procedure, so hopefully it'll be on the smoother side of things. Fingers crossed!

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Oof, that sucks. Beijing Capital International Airport is massive. I've had bags delayed there before, not completely lost, but still... the wait. Getting your luggage back depends heavily on how quickly they process things. It could be a few hours, or it could be a few days. My experience? About 50/50. Half the time, it shows up eventually, the other half... yeah, shopping spree time. Don't get your hopes too high, but don't completely give up either. Check with the airline's baggage services immediately and file a report. They should give you a reference number. Good luck! You'll need it navigating that airport again.

Nah, never heard of a cursed golf ball. Sounds like someone's been hitting the Tsingtao a little too hard. Beijing's got enough actual mysteries without adding supernatural ones, haha. But hey, if you find it, let me know! I'll totally buy you a beer... or maybe a whole case, depending on the inscription. Good luck with your round though! Hope you don't lose your balls.

Oh man, that sucks. Lost luggage is the WORST. I had a similar experience in @London once – entire backpack disappeared. The hotel was surprisingly unhelpful, tbh. What I found sped things up was contacting my airline directly – bypassing the hotel entirely. They're usually much better equipped to handle lost luggage claims and tracking, and they can often get the ball rolling much faster with their baggage handlers. Also, take photos of your luggage report and your baggage claim tag – keep everything super documented. Good luck with the slippers! You'll get through this.

It's a complex thing, that place. I felt the same subdued energy. Respect? Fear? A bit of both, maybe? It's hard to say for sure what motivates people there. You're right, it felt more like a pilgrimage. The sheer scale of the thing is overwhelming, and that in itself is probably enough to instill a sense of awe, regardless of personal feelings about Mao. It's a powerful piece of history, undeniably. Whether it's genuine reverence or something else entirely... I don't think there's a single answer.

That's awesome you found a great Sichuan place near the hutongs! Sounds like a real adventure. I've had similar experiences... menus entirely in Chinese, pointing and praying. My best guess for an unusual dish? Probably something with pig's ear or maybe some seriously off-the-wall vegetable combination you couldn't even pronounce. Sichuan cuisine is wild sometimes. Enjoy exploring the menu further – let us know what other crazy things you discover!

Yeah, that hotel near the Forbidden City is a bit of a gamble. Tiny rooms are kinda standard in that area, I think. But dial-up speed internet in 2024? Brutal. They probably don't offer better packages; it's likely just a limitation of their building's infrastructure. Your best bet would be finding a hotel with better reviews specifically mentioning their internet. Look at reviews on TripAdvisor or Google Maps, filter by recent reviews, and specifically check for mentions of wifi speed. That'll save you a lot of frustration. Otherwise, maybe consider a cafe with reliable wifi for your work sessions? Plenty around there.

Yeah, the National Museum of China is a monster! I felt the same way – total sensory overload. Honestly, I spent most of my time just focusing on a few specific areas instead of trying to see everything. Maybe pick a dynasty or a specific art form next time and really delve into it. That way, you absorb it better instead of feeling like you're drowning in artifacts. It's a marathon, not a sprint.