User Comments - zhenlijiang

Posted on: The Seven Year Itch

if they think they're having problems delivering ... I mean. Sorry.

Posted on: Shanghai Sightseeing

Too bad, I've done that actually. Right in the famous YuYuan there's this resthouse/Japanese tourist trap where this woman (speaks pretty fluent Japanese, I guess she was a student here) is waiting, to "let you sample" her herbal teas before pitching the opportunity to purchase them pretty heavy-handedly. There's no threat of violence or anything like that, and her prices are high but not outrageous like these out-and-out scams we often hear about. She has these young, long-haired girls roam the gardens looking for Japanese who might be lured in. One of them came up to me quietly and said, "Wouldn't you like to sit down and have some nice tea?". I did of course. All these tired, hot, thirsty tourists would. So I wasn't as careful as I could have been I guess, but I went with her. When I asked (in Chinese) it's free of charge isn't it?, she snorted. That really should have told me. Anyway I just want to warn any Japanese tourists that that's there, and say that it's quite easy to get out of buying anything from that woman. Just say you don't have the cash to buy 400 kuai worth of tea, that you need the cash (or that you just don't have any on you). She doesn't take credit cards. Again, one of those examples of what I mean. She should change her approach and she might do great business with Japanese tourists, they'd be happy to buy from her and maybe even refer her to friends, go back for more. I guess these people just figure tourists are there that one time only. I say they lose out with that thinking.

老中国 is like "old China hand"? I'm not--sorry to disappoint! Oh and I did actually buy some good-for-your-liver balled tea from her. Shouldn't have, but I let her talk me into it. Never again though!

Posted on: The Seven Year Itch

Hamshank--yes.

I didn't have a criticism about the quality. I was saying that if CPod are having problems delivering what they consider to be their standard of quality, that shouldn't be made anyone else's problem or responsibility.

Posted on: The Seven Year Itch

zhoudage I don't understand why "director" is in all caps. Anyhow it's OK, I know you just wanted to show your support for Jenny.

Posted on: The Seven Year Itch

Jenny I've been a fan, not a basher, and I've come to expect consistently good things from CPod and a professional attitude. I don't think I take the quality of your content for granted; the professionalism I do. But I don't expect perfection. I don't really mind, when you have things like the expansion sentences in question and they get re-done. Or poddies point out rollover errors and they get fixed, because I think you're responsive to such poddie feedback (yes mistakes ought to be minimalized, especially in consideration of the relatively new learners because they really rely on good translations and rollovers, but you probably already are mindful of that). But it's obvious to me that a lot of talent and hard work is behind your content. I'm happy with the quality; I wouldn't be a subscriber otherwise.

I'm glad you retracted your original reply to me. Next time--not that there's going to be any next time--I'll remember to take an extra minute and lighten my tone.

Posted on: Shanghai Sightseeing

I can understand. Our impressions of the tour guide change dramatically, when toward the end they ask if we would be interested in "seeing the process of silk being made" and it turns out to be a shabby little "factory" and a pretext to get us to buy silk futons and such. You don't ever have to buy of course, so you can avoid getting ripped off financially. But you do feel you've wasted so much time, and finish the day on a downer. I really think all these businesses should learn how to do it the right way, selling stuff to tourists. It can be done and everyone would be so much happier.

Posted on: Shanghai Sightseeing

All the pictures appear fine for me.

Posted on: The Seven Year Itch

In fact I wouldn't let other CPod staff hear me say "looks great on paper, but (in real life ...)".

Posted on: The Seven Year Itch

Mmm isn't that's more info than needed here ... ? I'm surprised Jenny. That sounds unkind, and you did all but give us his name. I think we all understand that not everybody is good in front of a microphone. There's no need to expose your intern like this.

Again, if you think something isn't up to your standards why not correct it before you publish? Whenever a poddie points these things out and you respond in this manner it only looks like your high standard at CPod is all talk, and that you're not actually doing what you need to to ensure the quality you speak of. This may sound harsh. At the same time I think I'm just saying the really obvious here. There's no need to hurt and discourage someone who's learning like this, in public. I'd keep such dismissals strictly internal, off the boards.

Posted on: BBQ and the Little Trumpet

自己写对话，能给自己又一个借口播送里发出“靠！”声吧，呵呵