Beijing Boyce

Beijing has started an etiquette program for taxi drivers and not a moment too soon. I’ve never been ripped off by a driver here, but have received a fair share of bad attitude. Most drivers are decent and it’s too bad they’re pulled down by a significant minority that desperately need some “thought reform” ~ By the way, the new and spacious taxis introduced during the past year are a godsend. Standing on the eleventh floor of my building and watching those two-toned vehicles – each painted in a primary color with a single gold stripe – zip by is like watching tropical fish in a tank. ~ To those who complain about getting horrible hangovers from five-dollar, all-you-can-drink bars, get real. What else do you expect from drinking the lowest-grade alcohol around? ~ New: The Bookworm, version 2.0, is open, and with its 14,000+ books for loan, spacious lounge areas, tasty sandwiches, and wireless, it’s even better than before. ~ More on The Bookworm in the next issue as well as write-ups on the John Bull Pub tequila tasting, Beer Mania, Beijing holiday adventures, and Jim McGregor’s new book: One Billion Customers. It’s getting major press and McGregor will talk at both AmCham (amcham-china.org.cn) and the Bookworm (beijingbookworm.com) on September 11.

(From Beijing Boyce I, first emailed on October 6, 2005)