User Comments - calkins
calkins
Posted on: About Face! A Multi-faceted Look at 面子
March 15, 2009 at 11:37 AMInteresting conversation. Regarding drinking, I've found that fewer people drink in Taiwan (compared to the U.S.). These have all been non-business related situations, but it's a refreshing change from the U.S. Almost all social activities in the states revolve around drinking. Gets old after the millionth time.
Posted on: About Face! A Multi-faceted Look at 面子
March 15, 2009 at 5:04 AMExcellent QW! Nice balance of grammar, vocabulary, and culture...for all levels I think. And a 10 minute QW is just about right.
给你们个面子 :)
Posted on: Tech Upgrades and Farming!
March 15, 2009 at 4:11 AMVery exciting news about the export and API functions. Nice work Cpod!
Posted on: Expired!
March 14, 2009 at 10:10 AMHi urcto, I think ire_ne is referring to a bill "being overdue," similar to what you're saying.
You could say:
你的帐单过期了。这里不接受。
nǐ de zhàngdān guòqī le. zhèlǐ bù jiēshòu.
Your bill is overdue. We don't accept it here.
This is what you'll hear at 7 Eleven if you try to pay an overdue bill...you can only pay it at the utility company if it's late.
Check out this lesson: Paying a Bill
Posted on: Stopping at a Friend's Farm -- 过故人庄
March 7, 2009 at 12:31 PMI have a small request. It's not a big deal, but I like to play all the PWP 
Lesson Dialogue MP3s on repeat, but it's a bit distracting to hear the "Chinesepod.com" ad at the beginning of the MP3.
No disrespect to Jenny...I love hearing her lovely voice anytime. The ad is just a bit out of place in these little pieces of poetic art!
Posted on: Saved by the Gong: Cutting Open a Frog
March 4, 2009 at 10:01 AMbendidelaowai, 不客气！
fourth_tone, dissecting frogs, pigs, or human cadavers furthers science and medicine. This is how we find cures for diseases that kill humans.
And the frog is under anesthesia, just like you would be if you needed to go under the knife.
Posted on: Saved by the Gong: Cutting Open a Frog
March 4, 2009 at 9:15 AMI confirmed with two Taiwanese that 血 is pronounced xiě in Taiwan.
Bababardwan, I see that when frogs speak Down Under, they say "ribbet ribbet," same as in the US. I just recently learned that frogs in Taiwan say "gwa gwa gwa." I assume the frogs on the 大陆 speak the same language!
Posted on: Saved by the Gong: Cutting Open a Frog
March 3, 2009 at 12:16 PMThanks for the quick response bababardwan! You have a memory like an elephant.
It looks like, from Changye's posts, that it's probably interchangeable in Taiwan as well. I'll confirm with some Taiwanese tonight.
Posted on: Saved by the Gong: Cutting Open a Frog
March 3, 2009 at 11:54 AMDoes anyone know if 血 (blood) is pronounced xiě or xuè in Taiwan? I'm getting contradictory dictionary pronunciations.
Posted on: About Face! A Multi-faceted Look at 面子
March 15, 2009 at 1:05 PMHa, a little of both! I'd love to hear some of those clever things to say to avoid the 白酒。