User Comments - JasonSch

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

This refers to both the tenant and the landlord paying the agent a 35% of one month fee.

Although, I'm not so sure about that math myself! I hadn't even thought about it, but yeah, 1,750 is actually 35% of 5K. Hmmm...

Posted on: 蚁族

发牢骚就是抱怨的意思。不好意思，是我把英文翻译放进去的时候，不知道怎么就漏掉了那句话。马上修改。谢谢

Posted on: 春节采访

Ding. I like the idea too. We'll have to hash out its feasibility and how to go about it, but I think interviews are not only interesting and entertaining, but great as a learning tool as well. Maybe we could make it a series? Whether the interviews be topical or personal, there's potential for a lot of good material there.

Posted on: A Short Haircut

You're right! I recognized the band, had a listen to 月亮之上 and thought that was it. I guess that's how similar to my ears they sounded. They're both equally ubiquitous. :)

Posted on: Can't Get a Taxi

I think this is an important thing for residents and travelers to keep in mind. Many times people seem to think it's personal, but it's more than likely either a shift change - like you described, the cab has already been reserved via phone call, or the driver is headed somewhere for personal reasons. I suppose if they stop, look at you, then drive away, that's another story though.

Posted on: A Short Haircut

Hey guys, the song is 月亮之上 by the band 凤凰传奇. It was really popular a few years ago when it came out, but it's definitely still on the occasional ringtone/KTV/mall sound system. One of those songs that's so ubiquitous that even if you never seek it out, it will most certainly find you.

Posted on: Months

Hi Stephen,

I think you're talking about the verb 要 or yào, right? This is a pretty flexible word and can mean, 'want to', 'will', or 'must'.

Or sometimes, for example if you were getting up to go use the bathroom and you said "Wǒ yào qù xǐshǒujiān" it could mean all three! It's all about context with 要.

Hope that helps.

Posted on: Cats Are Cool

I couldn't agree more with your reasons as for why cats are cool. Speaking of smart cats, the cat some roommates and I had before I came to China, came to his name (from virtually anywhere in the house) and could also turn on and off lights by jumping up and flipping the switches. He always seemed to do it when we were trying to watch a movie. Pretty clever cat!

Posted on: Taxable Salary

Yep, he's being reimbursed 6,000 a month for rent, but only paying 2,500. So, half of his salary is untaxed (minus the 发票税). Yeah this process of getting 'fake' receipts seems to be so ubiquitous that it no longer feels fake!

Posted on: Cats Are Cool

I'll start! I, as you know John, have a cat.

Her name is 小烦 xiǎofán, but she has been known to go by 'Xiao Feezy' (no tones on that one) from time to time.

She spends most of her day squinting, yawning, sneaking up on people and scratching furniture located directly next to the scratching board I bought her. She's a cutie. But of course, still just a little 烦.