Posted on: The Pinyin Program Will Be Unleashed

did fhe audio file cutout on anyone else?? did not cover the Pinyin "pony" ....

Posted on: Why are You Studying Chinese?

I have always liked to pick up some words of the language whenever I have worked in another country.

As most of my work has been in Asia I have picked up some Indonesian,(Bahasa) and Thai,a little Tagalog, but as I spent a lot of time in China I found I could understand quite a bit without any study, so this has created a interest and set a chalenge to finally learn the language. and some day also write it!!! MAYBE.

Just need more hours in the day !!!

Posted on: Podcast Language 2

Cpod has evolved from its early day to one of the best sites on the WEB! it's not perfect but it suits all levels It may not be the answer for all ...Some of "US" are not full time students of Chinese but do it for pleasure an cannot give the study the time it requires, we may never get beyond INTERMEDIATE but we will have fun trying.

Keep up the good work @Cpod warts and all !!!

Posted on: Awesome Promotion and Monks to Japan

@light487

I love the firm beds in China, no back problems with them!! cannot stand the soft saggy ones !

Always ask for a double an get a big one!! You got good value for Y62  looks very clean, looks like a good standard for cheap hotel!Did you get it on the net??or through friends.

Posted on: Renting a Bike

To own a bike in China you need to buy a lock and chain worth 10 times the cost of the bike if you want to keep the bike!! I have "lost " two so far the third was just saved the chai and lock had gone but the borrower! was also gone whe I got there!!

Riding a bike is no big deal just ride as if there are no rules and think every one is out to kill you !!

It keeps you fit and is faster than a car in heay traffic

Posted on: What do Foreigners Like?

bodawei

"Young women usually walk along the street arm in arm, or hand in hand, but there does not seem to be any kissing in a Chinese greeting or farewell. "

Things are now changing with the younger generation!

I understand that it is a  carry over from the years of the “people’s army “ and the indoctrinations of the Cultural Revolution and will take several generations to get back to normal. No public displays of affection between the sexes are allowed.

In private things are always very good!!

Chinese like to set up the laowai but not in a offensive manner.

I was led astray in my initial learning of Chinese and local slang,

 The friends set me up by teaching all the “bad” expressions which they would con me into using,

As it was very hard to find the real meaning of the expressions I was using from any dictionary, and only found out some when they were explained to me by others!! And warned not to use them in public.

“Just like we set up the new citizens (WOGS/ laowai)  to my country when I was younger”  I now relate much more to the foreigners settling into any country

Posted on: Napkins

I love the toilet paper roll, opened from the inner layer, used as napkins in the restaurant. I now use them at home for BBQ,s  and camping  

"You can always know the experienced traveler to Asia by the toilet paper they carry in their pocket"

Posted on: Lao Wang's Office 10: Lao Wang Plans to Sue

FYI

Mandarin Chinese profanity

Wiki covers it all...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandarin_slang

Posted on: Toilet Types

There is nothing wrong with the squat toilet have been using them for years in Asia.

The factory trench toilets are the worry, no flush just a hose and a broom to move to the lower end of the trench !!! you can smell them from far away.

Just watch your wallet in your back pocket does not fall in !!

The rural community ones are much the same, straight out on the fields !!!

Posted on: Can You Use Chopsticks?

It is great fun teaching people to use chopsticks! (and children) it is a skill we all should learn it is easy !!! I get offended if I am offered a spoon and fork in a Chinese restraunt anywhere !!!

CHOP STICKS    Interesting that the young girl is eating from a plate and not a bowl?  guess it is in USA ?

It is a typical Chinese spread LOTS of food