User Comments - naupaka

Posted on: Farewell, Sweet Pete

I can relate to kybod4's statement - don't often get a chance to post, but wanted to add my sentiments to the group farewell. Thanks for your contributions, Pete. You will be missed. I think there is a book in you and I will be one of the first to buy it when I see it on the shelf!

Melinda

ps Orangina, from what I've heard in previous podcasts, you have to add: Elvis impersonator, violisist and former Buddhist monk to your description - and I suspect we've only scratched the surface! A true original.

Posted on: Napkins

bababardwan,

that happened about 2 years ago. I traveled last summer but stayed with friends or in larger cities and never thought about it. Maybe only in the small towns its a problem? Maybe no longer a problem? not sure. But, I've been a bit more wary of getting off trains in small towns since that experience. You never know - you could end up somewhere with NO NAPKINS!

Posted on: Napkins

Well, way off topic, but I'm curious Bodawei, when staying in Chinese hotels, have you ever been refused because they don't have the license for foreigners? I don't know how common it is, but I was refused in a small town once (Hubei) and had difficulty finding a place that would accept a me as a foreigner. Another time I was traveling with a Chinese friend and they refused to let him stay in the hostel part, but he could rent a private room (Xian). This was a surprise to me.

Ummm... their napkins were fine?

Posted on: Yang Jie's Diary: The Final Episode

Even now, (last year) in a small college in central China the students debated whether university students should date. The arguments against dating actually won. It seems the traditional values still cling. Most students were aware of the sacrafice their parents made to send them to college and felt dating would distract from their studies. Also, some girls told me how their marriages were already arranged back home in their villiage so dating was out of the question. Quite a difference from Yang Jie's world :)

Posted on: Superstitions and Business Trip Tales

Another superstition is that women with high cheekbones will become a widow (its the cheekbones that kill the man). Also, I've been trying to remember one about boots-short boots vs. long boots? Anyone heard of that?

Posted on: Buying a Pet and Food Poisoning

Vann0000, that's about how we did it. I ate almost daily in DIRTY delicious places and the routine was to get the thermos with the hot water and pour into everyone's rice bowl, swirl and dump on the cement floor. Then use the "toilet paper" napkins to wipe dry. Also, we inspected the disposable kuaizi as many are recycled - from the floor, previous diners, whatever! Only got sick once from street food. Not sure what they are but just two tiny, flat pills took me from making my peace with got, to humming about my flat in only 15 minutes - amazing!

Posted on: The Non-Chinese Speaking Tourist and Toilets

oops disregard most of the above - I first read the comments before listening to the podcast -and posted prematurely. Guess I couldn't wait to tell my own bathroom horror story.

Posted on: The Non-Chinese Speaking Tourist and Toilets

Living in central China, I never saw a western toilet unless I visited big cities or tourist places. Unfortunately, women do miss (their aim) -both #1 and #2 as evidenced by puddles and piles next to toilets. No one mentioned the lack of privacy. In public places the curious would watch (no doors) and in homes the lady of the house would always accompany me and watch and then hand me the TP. Oh yeah, no one mentioned that there is no TP in public WCs. You must always carry your own. If someone told me these things before I left I might have reconsidered moving, but it was no biggie after all. Hey if they're not embarrassed or grossed out, why should I be?

Posted on: Hawaii

Aloha Henning, Bill and lordstanley, E komo mai! Hope you get the chance to visit our lovely garden isle of Kauai while in Hawaii. I wonder how to say Kauai in Chinese - my Chinese friends only know of Pearl Harbor.