User Comments - user42993
user42993
Posted on: Bumming a Smoke
January 14, 2008 at 3:27 AMheruilin: Definitely it would be a good idea. But even when i go to nice restaurants & cafes, there's no non-smoking section. On the other hand, McDonald's and Yonghe Dawang ban smoking outright. And some Westernish restaurants as well, or they have the sections. Also I don't think smoking (at least in Shanghai) is *everywhere*, the way I've heard it described. None of my Chinese friends or acquaintances smoke.
Posted on: Hold the MSG
December 10, 2007 at 3:14 AMI realize it's a goofy pet peeve, but there is nothing wrong with MSG - it's merely the salt of an amino acid essential to life. Double-blind tests have been done on people who claim to have "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome" and have never found any indication of allergy or reaction. It would be kind of like being allergic to protein. China now generally uses Chicken Essence, which is actually the same chemical performing the same function, but is extracted differently, and has better PR. Certain dishes will definitely benefit from MSG or Chicken Essence, with even the most skilled chef. Not that I'm a skilled chef, but I use it with lighter soups and long rice.
Posted on: Attitudes toward Religion
November 26, 2007 at 9:39 AMYeah, I'm no expert but I think you'd have to have a large population of local Jews for it to be a community. Anyway I'm interested in religion, I liked this lesson and would also be interested in that Islam lesson that was mentioned earlier, and maybe a follow-up with more about Buddhism ("Buddhism and Taoism" was a little general).
Posted on: Choosing a Chinese Name and Safety
January 20, 2008 at 1:38 PMOiman: 恐龙 is also slang for an ugly woman - I wouldn't do it!