Okay. So, the first major difference I’m experiencing here in China is that it’s a bit more challenging to use my US debit/credit cards–particularly online.
Here in China, less and less people use cash (actual physical currency). Most everyone–young and older–uses digital systems (WeChat, Mpay, Alipay, etc.) and those systems are not so friendly to non-China debit/credit cards like mine that are not attached to China bank accounts.
So, a simple task like topping up a SIM card to make a call back to Saipan requires getting other people involved.
For example, the front desk clerk at the hotel in Guiyang helped me set up a WeChat account (new members need to be pulled in by an existing member), but I can’t fund it because my US-based card is not accepted. I got as far as registering the card, but the option grayed out and doesn’t allow the funding option. Dead end.
When I needed to hail a taxi with a ride-hailing app (that same clerk recommended Didi) I tried to set up that app, but again, only China bank account holders can register payment methods. Dead end.
She ended up securing the taxi with her own Didi account and walked with me out to the curb when it arrived to make sure the driver knew I wanted to go to Walmart (yes, I said, “Walmart!” That’s another story!)
So, as an alternative, I had a friend who lives in Macau ask another friend to send me 20RMB. That worked out okay. However, I’m finding that most folks I run into who have WeChat, don’t use it for purchases so they don’t have balances and would need to connect a bank account. So, anyway, that worked out okay and I had 20RMB in my WeChat account!
The next day, with my newly-aquired wealth, I wanted to do my laundry in the basement of the hotel, but the machines only accept digital payment methods. Fortunately, with the 20RMB on my WeChat account, I was able to pay the 15RMB for the washer…..
…but I couldn’t pay the 15RMB for the dryer. So, I asked another front desk clerk to send me 50RMB and I would pay her cash. (Incidentally, all my communications here in Guiyang are enabled via WeChat in a comical back and forth dance–Chinese citizen speaks Mandarin into his/her translation-app-enabled smartphone, then shows or plays me the English translation; then I speak English into my GoogleTranslate-enabled smartphone and show or play Chinese citizen the Chinese translation.)
She tried to send me the money but received and showed me an error message that was something like “Due to unusual activity on this user’s account (mine), the user’s account is restricted.” So, I had to hang dry my clothes! Partial success!
A friend in Kazakhstan said there have, in fact, been increased restrictions and many foreigners abroad (US citizens and other) even in places like Thailand are experiencing difficulties using their US-banking system cards. He cited SWIFT changes and tighter restrictions on the US side as contributing factors.
In any case, once I discover the best workaround, I’ll share here on this blog and the @jamaicaninasia Youtube channel for the benefit of other nomadpreneurs!
Meanwhile, if you have a WeChat account AND want to help me do my laundry (I think that will be a public good and a net benefit for all who come near me ), here’s my WeChat QR code for sponsoring laundry day! (Exchange rate: 1USD = 6.71RMB)
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Meanwhile, stay tuned for more fun adventures including
“The Most Challenging Thing to Find in China That’s Everywhere in the US (and even on Saipan!)”
“She Wouldn’t Take My Money No Matter How Hard I Tried”
“This Produce Looks TOO Perfect Here in China. I Think I Know What’s Going On Here!”
