China

Need a raise? Head for the big chicken/rooster.

In 8 of her big cities wages have gone up from 8-12%.

Beijing - 8%

Shanghai - 9%

Nanjing - 12%

Chengdu - 10%

Chongqing - 11%

Wuhan - 9%

Suzhou - 10%

Guangzhou - 8%

Of course, the top salary in any of those cities is still $3,350 per year including bonuses and benefits - Guangzhou.

But why the Big Chicken? The Chinese say their country looks like a big chicken.

Do you think so?

But, don't ever call a young lady in Chinese a chicken - to them a 'chicken' is a prostitute.

Maybe that is why you can the whole chicken - feet and all - when you go out for dim sum.