User Comments - weibwo

Posted on: Toothache

John:

Update your info.  In the US there are several oral surgery centers where they pull your teeth under nitrous oxide or with general anesthetic which is a lot more comfortable then the novacaine/xylocaine shots in the Dentists office.  Several dentists advertise pain free dentistry using a variety of short term anesthetics.

Posted on: Utensils in the New Kitchen

The one thing I hate is the comments section. When you are a few days late no one reponds. I don't care who responds but it seems that someone should pay a little attention to the questions being asked. It's not like we are getting this for nothing. Maybe success is going their heads.

Posted on: Utensils in the New Kitchen

I know that I am way down the list to get a response from John or Jenny but I would find it very useful if there was a lesson that took us through a recipe.  With terms like tablespoon, teaspoon, 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, Mixer, etc.  Preferrably for a recipe that includes 餃子.

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

I kind of agree with Bodawei.  I make it a point to visit the homes of as many Chinese as I can.  I remember in Da Li one women at a foot massage parlor invited my wife and I to a Sichuan dinner.  Her apartment consisted of just 2 rooms which in more rural areas is typical I find.  The kitchen and living room were in 1 room.  I was very comfortable and praised her on how handy everything was.  In fact I learned a few things as to how to make apartment living more efficient.  The meal was fabulous and I love la tsai.  I stay with my relatives in Shanghai when I visit and their apartment was very cozy and spacious I thought.  They didn't seem to pay too much rent compared to San Diego where I live.

Posted on: The Hunan Accent

The f, h pronunciation in Taiwan makes it really difficult sometimes to understand what they are saying.  Also in the US were several Taiwanese Chinese Instructors in College.  I still mix up f gor h because of how I was taught.

Posted on: The Hunan Accent

To study Naxi characters there is a Naxi dictionary which is extremely expensive. I spent some time Li Jiang and studied the Naxi script. It is pretty interesting. Their accent was really difficult to understand when they spoke Mandarin.

Posted on: Your First Mooncake

月饼 and Chai tea and some good conversation.  That's how to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Posted on: Getting the Correct Change

In the US years ago because I don't here it very much now we used to say:

2 bits = 25 cents

4 bits = 50 cents

6 bits = 75 cents

dollar = $1.00  There are no 8 bits.

There was a saying, "2 bits, 4 bits, 6 bits a dollar;"

Jenny or John is there anything equivalent to this in Chinese?

Posted on: Asking about What to Wear

I agree with Jenny that in Shanghai and Peking the Chinese dress much more formal. I live in San Diego and we never wear suits. I work in a t-shirt and shorts with sandals. I don't think that would be allowed in China.

Posted on: Discussing a Thesis Topic with an Advisor

I would be interested in the link also. As to the question of whether a thesis is required it depends on the University and the discipline. I currently have a business where I assist Chinese students who are getting their PHD or Masters at an American University or Chinese who want to get into print in an English language learned journal or professionsl magazine. I use a Socratic method by discussing with the student what they are trying to get across their readers. So is also a didactic exercise as well. When they are through they are capable of Western Critical thinking. I have attended graduate classes in China on various subjects and it still seems like the 8 legged process where the instructor puts out the information and then expects to get the same thing back when testing the student. Certainly not the Western way of education. Chinese students don't see to be responsible for thinking on their own in the Chinese tradition but I could be wrong.