User Comments - user33162

Posted on: The Panda's Secret Wish

I think that it is called 熊猫　because the Red panda does actually look like a cat, while the Giant Panda is the 大熊猫。

Unfortunately it seems now that Red Panda and Giant Panda are not really related... Point, Set, Match to 猫熊。　(http://www.fws.gov/species/species_accounts/bio_pand.html)

Posted on: Fat Camp

As a middle aged, slightly obese man, (112 kg, 1.85 cm) I think I can tell you exactly why is it that Chinese still get to have a slim figure. DAIRY. Dairy products have been the difference for me.

I have always been active, but my eating habits (thank you grandma and all adults in my life)  include finishing everything in my plate.  Now, I eat as much pork, chicken, refined starch (white rice) and bread (馒头, and other 盒子）, but the main difference has been the lack of dairy products being consumed.  Not only that, but I am actually losing weight, in spite of the fact that I still finish everything in my plate. That and the occasional chocolate. You figure it out. I have lost 2 kilos without stopping eating, and I feel great. Someone said that lack of hygiene makes Chinese keep thin? Quite unfair.  I eat sundry Chinese items, everywhere, never gotten sick beyond maybe what I would at home.

That added to the fact that Chinese love to do activities for the most part, as  a part of their cultural heritage, explains a lot.  Of course, Diabetes （糖尿病- tang2niao4bing4- sweet urine disease）II is looming over the wealthier, most sedentary and western loving of them.  No going back for me though.  And no 训练营 for me either. 

Posted on: 磁悬浮

Hi everyone. Just to call something to your atention, regarding Dave's comments.  Regardless of whether he rightly feels that his needs are being met, or not, I think something should be said about his way of demanding said needs.

Blogging and writing in forums  has brought with it the idea that it is all right to use rude, contemptuous language to state or formulate ideas, and everyday people compete in all forums to outdo each other by using insulting, offensive, and cynical remarks, analogies or strings of nonsensical, "funny" imageries. and nothing is said or done to the people who say so. I say this has to stop.

No room should be given to the screaming drunks. No room should be given to people who think that by ranting, yelling at people or insulting and debasing, or in Internet terms by "flaming" others, or by looking angry with green monster cartoons they may prove a point. If anyone is educated enough to be learning another language, then they should have enough education to know how to participate in society. I wonder if Dave "I-really don't-care-what-you-think-of-me-personally" would be as blunt and offensive if he had anyone of the teachers in front of him, or whether he would be a tad more sociable in addressing his concerns. The Internet is a maremagnum of voices. If anyone wants to go into the "'dark dungeons of the internet'", hey, that's fine by me, have a ball, flaming your other peers whom I am sure have a great time outdoing themselves by writing foul remarks to the power of n to each other. However, when they show their green face on the surface, nobody should be allowed in  any way, shape or form, to express anything to a paying site WITH A COMMENTS POLICY that expressly demeans, offends, and shows but contempt for anyone and everyone in the forum.

So I kindly ask the fine, respectable people at Chinese Pod to not allow comments of Dave's nature. Not only is it embarrasing to read his rants, but it takes away from the amenable experience enjoyed in your site. If this were a restaurant, somebody would have thrown the screaming drunk out by now.  Let us demand respect to the teachers, but also to the students, and the partakers of your incredible site.  Paying for your drinks, Dave, does not mean you can piss on the bartender, the  owner and the attendees. Act decent or take your act elsewhere.

Don't let the ranters take over. Especially, do not pander to them.

PS. to the people of CP: I thought that your lesson was very well carried out, extremely interesting, and if anything the voices or your speakers are very understandable.  Haha! You cannot hear such clear accents just anywhere, can you? Thanks.  I learned, without looking at your premium material, 16 new Hanzi and structures, as well as speaking practice and I also learned a little something about a place I have not been to. I say that is a good lesson. Thank you for your effort.