Residential Permit Adventure

02 Sep 08
(Darrell)

Today I went to file for my residential permit. I was to meet a woman named “Mrs. Wu” (whom I was told does not speak any English) at the Bureau of Foreign Registry to help me process the paperwork. Our driver got me to the building at the time I was to meet her, and I went to the area indicated on the notice provided to me. Upon arriving I immediately knew I was in for an experience. The area was populated with about 100 Asian people with about a half dozen or so westerners sprinkled in amongst them. I took a seat and called Mrs. Wu from my cell phone. Fortunately, I heard her phone begin to ring in the row of seats immediately behind mine.

Well, finding Mrs. Wu was easy. As it turned out, Mrs. Wu, was not only not able to communicate with her client (Me), she also had no experience in processing government documents! She had with her an associate (whom, of course, also did not speak English) to show her how (a training session of sorts). It was he who seemed to go out his way to get the individual at the desk all worked up, as the interaction between they and the official appeared to be nothing short of confrontational.

All said and done the appointment went well. I think! What I mean is; I sat in front of the government official in a bewildered state as contentions made during the animated discussion whizzed passed like bullets in a firefight; without any invitation for me to participate.

Despite there being several other open windows a crowd formed behind me (for what reason I don’t know!) But after about five minutes of confrontational banter it was indicated that I should sign the form placed before me. Now, I signed the form as requested. But being the form was in written in Chinese characters I cannot say for sure what it was that I signed. For all I know, I may now be an official member of the Chinese Nationalist Party.