He might just get a bottled gas hob liberally coated with half inch of grease and an empty gas bottle; and the fridge doesn't work. Take my word for it I have worked in China for a year and know what I am talking about. It's true to say that, like Turnoi I shouldn't wonder, my status has given me special treatment and special accommodation and the best food. But I am no snob and have befriended ordinary Jo FTs. I have seen the pigsties they get lodged in and haven't seen too many gleaming rice cookers. He can wait until he returns to America for chips. It's best he toddles to the restaurants and eats noodles. He can then prudently calculate his monthly food costs to within an accuracy of 2 yuan. That should come to about 600 yuan and extra living costs should bring that up to 800.

You have already showed your hand when you presumed him to be on a thin salary because he was looking to save money. He never said why he needed to save money. That ain't your business!

I don't think he will want to waste time cooking all the foods from his homeland that he can't get locally. You may be a PhD, but [edited], as well as being incapable of analysing that guy's post. Gas/gas cookers were never mentioned! You seem to have gotten your knickers in a twist!

I would never advise any FT to slum it at el cheapo Chinese restaurants. No need for that.

China is on its knees recruiting FTs for state-run establishments, these days. If he is shown a pigsty, which I doubt will be the case in Northern China, he can ask the FAO to get it cleaned. Yep, he should buy a bottle of rye and 200 smokes at the duty-free before departing America. Presenting one to the FAO and the other to his Head of Department will likely ensure that any problems he reports in the future will be dealt with promptly and efficiently.