User Comments - chris
chris
Posted on: The ChinesePod Meetup
April 14, 2013 at 5:08 AMmafanni, doesn't seem to be too dangerous, at least so far (the number of reported cases is miniscule given the population). No reported cases of human to human transfer so far. Also, just take sensible precautions (e.g. make sure the chicken and eggs that you eat are well-cooked, make sure you wash your hands regularly and avoid hanging out at wet markets or with live poultry). I understand that chicken dish sales at restaurants have fallen off a cliff, suggesting that people are actually abstaining from eating chicken rather than just ensuing it is well cooked. Guess it depends on one's risk tolerance at the end of the day.
Posted on: Buying a Coffee
April 11, 2013 at 2:34 AMIs kafeiting (咖啡厅) also ok? I hear this used most frequently on my travels.
Posted on: Noisy Renovations
April 9, 2013 at 2:20 AMI seriously think there should be a ban on major structural work within 10 years of a multistorey new-build being completed. No reason for it - if you don't like the structure, then don't buy it. Consider thy neighbours!
Posted on: Noisy Renovations
April 9, 2013 at 1:36 AMSadly, all too common a scenario in Shanghai high-rises. Just to be clear, this isn't just your run-of-the-mill home DIY. This is full on renovation - knocking walls out, lifting floorings, etc. Crazy - most of the blocks i've experienced this in are only a matter of a few years old from new. I can understand the need to renovate really old buildings, but new builds?
Posted on: Movie Theater Jabbering
April 5, 2013 at 1:10 PMVery true mate. I find that if I ask non teacher native speakers what tone a word is they often either look at me blankly or just say the word a few times, presumably for me to figure it out!
Posted on: Movie Theater Jabbering
April 5, 2013 at 7:04 AMAgree with RWN here. I'm lucky enough to be based in China and I can certainly vouch that I'm much more easily understood by locals when I dont even think about the tones and just get the rhythm and pronunciation right, than when I try to over-think the tones. I assume that even if I don't hit the right tone, my interlocutor can infer from the context (with a fast rhythm and, hopefully, clear pronunciation) which words I mean. If I really really don't know the tone or can't make an educated guess as I'm speaking, I usually plump for a mild 4th tone which seems to work more often than not. No science to this (e.g. I don't know whether 4th tones are more common overall across the chinese language)!
Posted on: Cat Care
April 5, 2013 at 2:27 AMLesson transcript here (in interests of time, Chinese parts only):-
http://chinesepod.com/community/conversations/post/13472
Feel free to participate, review, ignore, as applicable.
Posted on: Use Your Headphones!
March 26, 2013 at 3:30 AMThis is one of my all time pet peeves. I normally avoid confrontations, but when it comes to this issue I can't help asking the person to use their headphones. It's particularly bad in China, but on recent trips back to the homeland I've also noticed it creeping in there too. Given these devices all come with headphones, I really don't understand why people don't use them, at least in public. Also, what's with people listening to music out loud on their device in restaurants/cafes that already have communal music playing.....
(sorry, rant over).
Posted on: Dreaming of You
March 17, 2013 at 7:50 AMLesson transcript being worked on here:
http://chinesepod.com/community/conversations/post/13401
Welcome to participate, review or ignore.
Posted on: The ChinesePod Meetup
April 14, 2013 at 5:12 AMLooking forward to it guys!