User Comments - chanelle77

Posted on: Cats Are Cool

Here is why :-) : http://www.chinasmack.com/2010/pictures/boiled-alive-cat-prepared-served-in-guangzhou-restaurants.html

http://news.sohu.com/20080908/n259436985.shtml

Posted on: Cats Are Cool

I moved to China under 2 conditions: my 2 cats move too :-). I can write a book about (my 2) cats in China so I will keep it short: if you bring your cats to China best to keep them inside.

Posted on: Four Uses of the Complement 起来 (qilai)

Thx John! Well appreciated!

Posted on: Four Uses of the Complement 起来 (qilai)

Excellent QW! 

How is 起来 related to 出来？For example the difference between 想起来 and 想出来? Both mean to remember something right? But, what are the differences in usage?

If I remember this correctly 起来 is used when your remember something *new* (paradox?) in a spontaneous manner and the other when you retrieve information (which was consciously stored before)?

Posted on: Giving Instructions to the Ayi

Went with my husband to a company outing and no one even bothered to flush the toilet anymore (or lock the almost non existent door). Just one big pile of unimaginable filth. These are well educated, very nice people which I highly respect. I just do not understand how things can go that far (so quickly) or people care so little. Same question for me how how how and why why why? :-)

Posted on: Giving Instructions to the Ayi

Would love to hear the outcome! :-) Interesting questions and I'm sure interesting answers!

Posted on: Giving Instructions to the Ayi

no, but have you seen the ladies?! from the look of those there are only people with ayi's living in China! :-)

thx for sharing your point of view and the interesting discussion!

Posted on: Giving Instructions to the Ayi

Most welcome! Guess we all have different experiences and opinions, which is perfectly fine :-).

Fyi I also had a cleaning lady in Europe and was treated the exact same way as the one in here. I hate cleaning and willing to pay the price to have someone do it for me, just as I am willing to pay for any other good or service which I like anywhere else in the world. For me it is purely a economic transaction.

I do agree with you on how "upper class" treats "lower class" whether it is expats or not and luckily do not recognize that at all in my personal life or the people around me. Nor the laissez-fair attitude. From my experience, "lower class" Chinese are treated much better by expats than by their fellow country men. Sorry, again no stats on that, got this info by chatting a lot with ayi's and living my life here :-) Your statement "people lose any sense of personal responsibility" goes a bit far imo.

All I can say is thx to my great help, my time is well spend on learning Chinese and by that (trying to) understand the culture and the people around me :-) And not on cleaning my 250m2+ house, now that would be a real waste I think!.

Posted on: Giving Instructions to the Ayi

Exactly! Same in Europe :-) Next time we are moving won't say a word until they pack the container, then I cannot hide it anymore haha!

Btw, to be honest I am not too sad about Dubai, I still prefer Chinese speaking countries or countries where you can continue using / studying Chinese, (Asia, US or EU). However, the change of plan was quite a surprise!

And, well, uncertainty is part of (expat) life. Until now company has been very good to us and I understand that there are many parties involved in decisions like this. So just hope I will know soon and can make a plan! :-) For the time being I will enjoy China just a little longer and finish my uni classes!

Posted on: Giving Instructions to the Ayi

RJ, I thought it would be nice to plan 4 months ahead and give my ayi a lot of time to find a new job and make arrangements (Western way of thinking). We were supposed to be leaving for Dubai (did not work out in the end and seems that I am staying in China little longer). My ayi quit almost right on the spot. So much for loyalty lol. To be honest that really pissed me off as she was treated extremely well and I was going on a holiday soon (need someone for the cats) and of course not much time to make new arrangements for myself. She started putting me in the 2nd 3rd and 4th place (3 other new jobs!) and told me, if you want something you need to plan ahead (for instance cooking) because" I am so busy and do not have time". Any way things got a bit out of balance because I was too nice (she was still paid and had flexible hours!) and in the end needed to remind her that I am her boss and pay her and she does things in return. If that does not work for her anymore we will end this financial relationship. Things got back to normal very soon.

Practical ayi tip 2: never be too nice that is confusing :-)