User Comments - Tal

Posted on: Money Laundering Operation

*sigh* OK, here comes my final final post on this. It seems bounden upon me to apologize, and thus I do so, to any true-hearted poddies caused offence or discomfort by this thread, including Grambers. In any case now that my credentials as a Brit have been called into question I really am mad! (kidding)

Grambers you may have an arse but it is clearly not humble. This began with you jumping down my throat (and disrespecting your elders - lol) when I had made no personal reference to you whatsoever, in fact I have of course noticed your many interesting and worthwhile contributions to these boards in recent times, and appreciated them. You harp on about my 'unpleasantness', yet I believe any truly objective reading of the above could not miss your attitude problem. Your back was up from the get-go, and your words entirely lacked 'the milk of human kindness' imho. The Great Sage is a spunky monkey, and will respond forcefully to cheek from lesser mortals, (unless they are entirely beneath contempt.) He has a big heart though, and regrets frightening you.

Ha ha, my spelling. I admit it has undergone some trans-Atlantic drift in recent years, I like to think of it as cultural openness. And after all Shakespeare himself was not so picky about spelling, not only creating words but often changing how he spelled them. And having invoked his name let me simply say:

A peace is of the nature of a conquest; for then both parties nobly are subdued, and neither party loser.

Henry IV Part 2 Act 4 Scene 1

Posted on: Addressing Women

Ha ha! And how did she answer you?

Posted on: Addressing Women

Nice idea, this circle of hell would likely be packed with Chinese people. They'd all be jostling to push in at the back.

Posted on: Addressing Women

呵呵，good story, I've had one or two similar experiences in China, it's a country where many people who would be in care homes in the west are basically just left to fend for themselves and/or die on the street.

Yes I would say 大姐 and 大哥 are generally used to address people older than oneself (but not obviously elderly people.) But it is I think often applied to people who are roughly the same age as oneself (maybe they've got a year or two on you) and then (I think) there's an element of warmth as well as indicating respect.

The thinking and attitudes of Chinese people are almost always age-related of course, perhaps this is one of the big cultural differences.

Posted on: Money Laundering Operation

Okiedoke, finally all I have to say to you is: whatever! I am now thoroughly bored by this conversation and have no interest in jumping through hoops like you to justify myself. You are clearly a young lad who is full of himself, and proud of it. I will only observe that this began with you running up to me with boyish indignation, suddenly the age issue was raised out of nowhere, and then suddenly puerile name-calling was in the air, and hell... you're right about one thing, I'm too old for this shit, I left the manners of the school playground behind me a long time ago, clearly you haven't.

Sorry if I rained on your parade, good luck with your Chinese learning.

Posted on: Money Laundering Operation

mark, thanks for your response. I know very well how long you have been a user here, much longer than me, so I know what a gent you are, how straightforward and modest. I will most like be joining you in giving up posting in Chinese on these boards, nevertheless I'd like to say that I for one would always be glad to see any post of yours. The 'good old days' are gone of course, but I am glad that there are a few who still keep the faith. Respect.

Posted on: Addressing Women

Posts seem to be popping in and out of existence in this thread... or maybe you are all just perfect strangers.

Thanks hiewhong, could be in China the comfort of strangers is best.

Posted on: Addressing Women

How perfect can a stranger be anyway?

Posted on: Addressing Women

It's quite common I think to say 大姐 or 大哥 to someone 10 to 15 years older. They won't be offended, probably will even feel that you have addressed them warmly!

Posted on: Addressing Women

In Guangdong I have commonly heard Chinese friends address women (older than them, or even roughly the same age) as 阿姐. Following suit I have found it to be quite acceptable.

Younger women or teenage girls I have found may be formally addressed as as 小妹 or 阿妹.

It does depend on age though. I continue to hear Chinese youngsters address older women as 阿姨，though I am guessing it might produce a smile at least if a foreigner did the same!