User Comments - bill
bill
Posted on: In-Laws and Drinking
September 8, 2007 at 3:50 PMSpeaking of turning red when drinking brings to mind the "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome," or a reaction to MSG. This is quite real, and while not dangerous, like flushing from consuming alcohol, is very unpleasant. I turn *bright red* and feel like I am on fire. It lasts 11 minutes, and can freak out whoever is eating with me. No flushing problems with alcohol though. I've a large wine cellar but live by the rule that moderation is best, and wine is to share with friends. Question: How universal is this reaction to MSG among Chinese? Hmm... interesting thought: Maybe wine or beer with Chinese food will neutralize the MSG reaction. 我总是和菊花茶。
Posted on: All About 所有 (suǒyǒu) and 都 (dōu)
September 3, 2007 at 11:12 PMHey gang, 我们四处能说中文！ 昨天 I was at a crafts fair on Skyline Blvd (really a road) in the Santa Cruz Mtns here in the SF Bay Area. There was a chinese artist trained at the San Francisco Academy of Art in the early 1990's. I was awestruck by his paintings, and had listened to this 请问 the same morning. I told the fellow: 所有的你的画都很漂亮。He responded: 谢谢. Chinese in action everywhere (-: Bill Bill
Posted on: Time to Go
September 1, 2007 at 5:42 AMlinguisticpotato, Alsacian is a dialect of German. Actually, it is the original high german, and was until 1903 according to my friend. We discussed this today. Alsace is in France and borders with Germany and Switzerland. My wife and I have visited three times. We've friends there. French is spoken everywhere but Alsacian is spoken in many homes. Super white wine region ! A beautiful place to visit. Bill
Posted on: Time to Go
August 31, 2007 at 3:52 PMHi goulniky, I've a close friend from Alsace. He speaks French as imposed by the French; German as a result of world war II and the occupation of Alsace; Alsacian is his native tongue and that still survives in spite of the fact that French is the "official language" because the families pass it on from generation to generation. Finally, he speaks English because he's lived in the US for about 50 years. He and I always speak French, and I'm trying to convince him to learn Mandarin. He validates your story for sure! Bill
Posted on: Number Two
August 29, 2007 at 9:35 PMdongling, It's important to know that "number 1" and "number 2" are really most often used by young children in America. I learned the terms in kindergarten here. The teacher made us hold up one or two fingers when we asked if we may go to the toilet, or bathroom. I never really understood why they cared except that just like in the dialog, “老师认为我很急了." Bill
Posted on: Number Two
August 29, 2007 at 6:03 PMI notice that 大号 has another meaning. Tuba ! Is this a coincidence or what? 总之, 我在大笑 ！（zong3zhi1, wo3 zai4 da4xiao4). Bill
Posted on: A New Home Page
August 24, 2007 at 6:01 AMAmber, 不久见怎么样？ Bill
Posted on: It's Not Hard to Say Goodbye
August 24, 2007 at 6:01 AMAmber, 不久见怎么样？ Bill
Posted on: I can't write it
August 23, 2007 at 3:04 PMOops - pinyin typo: ... qu4 shang4 ce4suo3.
Posted on: In-Laws and Drinking
September 8, 2007 at 10:54 PMSeeing the sidewalk calligrapher makes me think 李白。He was great Chinese poet, and his poems are very romantic, very filled with life. He used to write poems and toss them into the river so they would float downstream "like peach blossoms" to the young maidens washing clothes! There was also the "The cold mountain poet" whose name I forget now. He carved his poems in the ice on the side of "cold mountain" so they would melt away as well all do. Villagers rushed to copy them before they disappeared. So, our sidewalk calligrapher is very much in the Chinese tradition. One reason I am learning chinese is to be able to read these poems in their original form rather than translations. Otherwise sorry about the typo in my first message. I had 和 rather than 喝。No problem for all of you for sure. Bill