User Comments - MikeInLondon

Posted on: Los Angeles

How does one join the LA group? I will be back home for Xmas. For that matter, is there a London group or other areas?

Posted on: Los Angeles

OK guys, as an LA native, I am amused and flattered by this lesson and discussion...but I cannot fully support the characterization of all of us as stars, or star-seekers! :)  While I don't deny that the entertainment industry (legit and otherwise!) is strong, LA is tremendously diverse, both demographically and professionally. Personally I actually know very few people who work in the industry.

I was hoping more for a dialogue about making a road trip to Monterey Park, 20 minutes outside LA, which I personally think has the best Chinese food outside Asia.  Monterey Park's population is 43% Chinese decent, the highest proportion in US! 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monterey_Park,_California

It was not by accident that Jay Zhou has played concerts in LA the last two times he has played in US, hahaha.

Still a fun podcast, and I prefer this stereotype to the one of LA being crowded, smoggy, and ugly (even though this charactization might be more accurate, I hate to admit...)

Posted on: Overseas Chinese

Cool lesson. I am an ABC living in UK, so have a double-identify crisis! I am interested in the differences between being ABC and BBC. While this is hardly a scientific survey, I think that some of the BBCs I've met in UK don't seem very tuned in to their roots. Same could be said of plenty of ABCs I suppose, but this is something I'm interested in hearing about. Any BBCs out there? When I was in China last year, I was talking to some old Chinese women who were happy I was exploring my roots, and they said that they had heard that ABCs thought they were superior to mainland Chinese. Needless to say, they were happy when I assured them that that was most definitely not the case. I was hoping this lesson would have a guest appearance by Wang Leehong, so I am really disappinted!

Posted on: London

Bill - I think you are referring to Royal China on Baker Street which I agree is very good for dim sum, although I haven't eaten a proper multi-course meal there yet. I tend to go to the one in Bayswater more. Now that you bring it up, it is Sunday morning here and I think I will go today! I am still searching for a Northern/Taiwanese style breakfast place and/or a good noodle soup joint, but so far have not located in London. Any ideas anyone?

Posted on: London

This was a fun one to listen to. Although I think anybody who has ever ridden public transport here will tell you that gentlemanly behaviour is hard to come by these days! Much as I enjoy living here, I tend to share some of character "C"'s cynical attitude. Yes, the food has improved and there is more diversity, but you have to pay dearly for quality restaurants. Overall, I've been fairly dissapointed by the majority of Chinese restaurants here, most of the places in Chinatown cater to tourists and waiguoren, but there are some nice developments lately with authentic Sichuanese food. When is the 2nd Chinesepod London Meetup happening anyways?

Posted on: Fighting over the Bill

What is the origin of the term "AA" which I understand to be what Chinese people use to describe "going dutch." How do you this phrase in context (not that I plan on using it!)? Is this an abbreviation, or is there a character associated with this, or is it just "AA?"

Posted on: Interview with the Boss

I've heard John a few times use the phrase "dao4di3 shenme dongxi" in podcasts - from the dialogue it seems like this is asking about meaning or purpose? But is this 到底 and can somebody clarify exactly how this phrase/construction should be used? Thanks!

Posted on: The DVD Vendor

"哪些卖得比较好？" This line in dialogue translates as "which ones do you sell a lot of." Is it possible to also translate this as "Which of these that you sell is pretty good?" How do you make the distinction between these two different meanings?

Posted on: Buying a SIM card

hi guys - I will be coming to Shanghai in about a month and will be going to several cities in China. Do I just need to bring my UK phone, then I can switch out the SIM card and make calls in China? Is there any need to bargain/shop around for best prices, or can I just get it from any store, or at the airport? Do I need to switch out the card in each city? I've heard its cheaper to get a local card in each city, but given that I'm only there for 2 weeks in total and probably won't need to use my shou3ji1 too much, I'm thinking it's probably easier to get one card, even if the calls are a bit more expensive when roaming? Any tips/suggestions?

Posted on: When the Taxi Takes the Long Way

Good lesson - something to always be on the alert for in big cities! How much is a cab from Pudong airport into downtown Shanghai normally anyways?