JUST GOT BACK ON CS AFTER MORE THAN 1 YEAR-BREAK. Sorry for late or no-responses, will try to keep up-to-date from now on :-)

CURRENT MISSION

Make my company profitable (very hard) - Learn Chinese (hard) - Travel (easy but hard at the same time) - Keep those damn cats alive (I'm a dog person anyway).

ABOUT ME

Once somebody told me I was too lazy to describe myself, so I will make an effort, since I am in a good mood recently.

I am a Banana, as a French born Korean. I currently live in Shanghai and I've been working in Asia for around 10 years. I guess I am a normal dude, I like to go out, discover new things and meet new people. I am an optimistic yet realistic person, which leads me to often use sarcasm and/or dark humor.

PHILOSOPHY

"Don't walk behind me I may not lead, don't walk in front of me I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend". A. Camus (this has been my personal motto for years, until I started to work)

" What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" Pink (is it?)

"A bottle of wine contains more Philosophy than all the books in the world". L. Pasteur

"Sense and Simplicity. " Some DDB's guru for Philips Electronics BV

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Hosted in a previous life - probably can host again and/or meet for a drink(s) and/or share my incredible knowledge of life and universe - if I am in a good mood.

I like traveling but I do a lot of business trips and very few personal ones unfortunately. So what make the difference is all about the strangers I can meet and connect with.

"A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving." I also was broke/on budget once and travelling was the only way to enlighten myself, so I am glad if I can help from time to time (karma is not always a bitch after all). I must say, because I met some, than I am not a big fan of travelers who use CS only as a way to get a cheap experience of life.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I hosted and surfed mainly in France, Germany and The Netherlands, several years ago. Hosted in Xi'an more recently. In Shanghai I can accept guests when timing is right, I'm always up for showing a bit of Shanghai and sharing some nice time with nice people but now I'm more interesting in meeting nice people while travelling.

I do enjoy 5 stars hotel experiences but I always found it interesting to meet local people.

Interests

Hmmm. I have (had) a lot, so let's list some in bulk.
- Wines (BURGUNDY forever, Alsace, Jura, new and forgotten worlds)
- Gastronomy (really, even if I can eat anything made with love and/or healthy ingredients - I have always been sad in countries with low food cultures eg. The Netherlands, USA, etc)
- Spirits (whiskyyyyy - Islay and Japanese mainly, can accept decent Bourbons)
- Traveling (indeed, why would I be here if not)
- Fishing (big and small fishes - Yes I dream to go to Scotland Salmon fishing and whisky tasting all day)
- Diving (bad swimmer but I like to see all those fishes and other sea animals/human made wrecks)
- History and Militaria (no I am not a fascist)
- War planes (one of my dream is to pilot one of those legendary WW2 birds - if not possible, a seaplane to go fishing in Canada)
- Mushroom hunting (I come from the countryside)
- Ping Pong (yes really - not a sexy sport but a great one)
- Paintings (classicals, Impressionnism, Vettriano, Hopper)
- Contemporary art (architecture, interior design, graphic design)

In any case, don't worry, I am practically French so I have a thought on everything at any time and I can complain about any topics that can please you. I can also try to teach you the fundamentals of going on strike.

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC
- Electro music - Deep/Minimal principally (aaaaah all those outdoor festivals)
- Classical - Piano/Cellos/violin (that's basically what we should call real music, right?)
- Reggae (you probably know why)
- Balkan music (don't ask me why - OK I was in love once with Balkans)
- Jazz, lounge, any quality live music.

I actually can listen to anything with decent lyrics and nice singer voice, even some crappy commercial music if needed, since I believe music is like wine, there is always a special fit for every occasions of life.

MOVIES
- Horror movies (when I want to be thrilled)
- Historical movies (when I want to think a bit)
- Adventure/action movies (when I don't want to think)
- TV shows (Game of throooooones)

I don't like predictable actions but I could watch any movies with Penelope Cruz, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Scarlett Johansson, Cameron Diaz, Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun Fat, Keanu Reeves, Jason Statham, Samuel Jackson, from Wong Kar Wai, Tarantino, Almodovar, Kusturica (Balkan, remember?)...

BOOKS
- French and English Classics
- Stephen King
- Tolkien
- Bukowski
- Houellebecq
- Mr Cizia Zyke
- Werber

I've read a lot when I was younger, now I unfortunately mostly go for magazines or books on economics and management (which is totally boring yes).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Talking so much about myself ?

On a road trip in Southeast Asia, I once really believed the time had stopped forever. When I finally arrived at the airport, the officer kindly notified me my plane took off three days before.

Teach, Learn, Share

My parents were both teachers but the only thing I ever teached was ping pong (I'm a certified pingpong coach)

Less seriously, we can share some good laughs, some stupid games, maybe you can show me some cooking recipes of your country. I guess we will see directly when we meet, I'm quit flexible in the end.

What I Can Share with Hosts

French/local or other food.
French/local or other bottles of wine.
Scottish or Japanese bottles of whisky.
Music most probably.

And after all this, if you are not sleeping yet or puking in my toilets, we can share opinions on China, ze world, life and Ze universe.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Philippines, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, South Korea

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