User Comments - RJ

Posted on: Cabbie Culture and Driving in China

Ah, bless you my friend. Wonderful idea.

Posted on: Deadly Complements of Degree

I am always interested in how Chinese is really spoken. Thanks cpod for addressing this question.

Posted on: Handsome Foreign Student

The 儿 ending is considered a northern Chinese phenomenon but in many cpod lessons we see sentences such as 你是哪儿人.

Are there some expressions in which this has permeated all of China or at least Shanghai? Certainly in Beijing it is used more extensively, or am I wrong? How do you decide when to use the 儿 ending in cpod lessons?

Posted on: Car Crash

Bodawei, interesting also, but Im more interested in one to one interactions with police today. What to expect, what to say and do, or more importantly, what not to say or do. I have never had to deal with the police in China, and hope I never do, but, just in case, I would like to know what to expect. It would make for an interesting BST I think. Interview an officer, what bothers them the most, or what bothers them the most about dealing with foreigners? What is the most common reason foreigners cross paths with the law? What can be done to avoid any problems or misunderstandings?

As for silao, we do this as well. In fact, in Cleveland the police will not even come when called, if its only a fender bender. If you want a police report, you have to go to the police station and fill out your own.The other guy can do the same, and the insurance companies have to sort it out if you turn it in to them. Today with high deductibles and knowing your insurance rates will go up, it is often more attractive to settle it yourself. We have signs on some of the major highways here that say if you have a fender bender, please move the cars to the side of the road. Old habits like not moving the cars until police arrive, are hard to break. Some states have "no fault" insurance. Not sure how well this works but at least now everybody is required to have insurance, and they do enforce it. Insurance in China would be another interesting topic.

Posted on: Rice First

Thanks for the tip. I tried it here at home and it does work, Now to catch that fly :-)

Posted on: Car Crash

Interesting. I would still like to know more about police "culture" in china. I have yet to see them profiled in an episode of "COPS" (American TV show). :-)

Posted on: Using a Cell Phone in China

you're right. I should have looked it up. I have yet to see one. So are you a drive-thru guy or do you always go inside?

Posted on: Using a Cell Phone in China

OK, I give. You win. I dont want to argue with a friend. Im just eccentric I guess. To each his own.

I have another question for you. Why are there no drive-through's at McDonald's in China? Don't tell me they have them where you are. Do they? :-)

Posted on: Using a Cell Phone in China

for me buying a card is easier. It requires less explanation. I grab the card and go, to be dealt with later, at my leisure. I want to know how to do it myself, and prefer that to having someone else dial the same number in for me. Sounds like they are just doing it for you, maybe because they think you cant do it for yourself? I woud consider the card way more convenient and private than standing there while someone else calls it in. (or enters it online). Also, Ive never seen a news stand with a computer. You cant expect convenience store clerks or news stand employees to call this in for you. Wake up there in bizarro China hehe. It amazes me that you consider your way more convenient. I suppose you go to the same place every time, which is different from somebody just passing through.

Posted on: Using a Cell Phone in China

Thats a bit scary. I really dont see how this would help solve traffic problems. Isnt it obvious by the pattern of traffic jams when there are more people headed in one direction than the roads can handle? What would be the solution then? In the US every phone has GPS location technology built in. You do have the option of turning it off however except for 911 (emergency) calls. Everyone I know turns it off. Pre pay phones are quite anonymous here but most people have accounts with major carriers, which require a name and credit history to obtain.