User Comments - pretzellogic

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pretzellogic

Posted on: Welcome to ChinesePod
October 27, 2010 at 9:30 AM

huanglily, welcome! I'm curious; your profile says you'r ea newbie. Have you been studying Chinese before at all, or are you starting from absolutely no knowledge of Chinese?

Posted on: Reserving a Taxi Cab by Telephone
October 27, 2010 at 9:27 AM

I was afraid of that. Some companies charge, and some don't....

Posted on: Reserving a Taxi Cab by Telephone
October 27, 2010 at 2:54 AM

There should have been a sentence or two in the dialogue that implies there is an extra charge for this reservation service.  Or at least in some cities, some companies charge a premium for this reservation.

Posted on: Reserving a Taxi Cab by Telephone
October 27, 2010 at 1:37 AM

Of course, there's also the random english speaking driver of one the black Passat or A6 taxis that will hand you his business card, and say, "Hi, i'm Gary, call me at the number on the card, and I can take you to the airport, take you and visitors to the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, or ferry you around town at your convenience."

Posted on: Can't Get a Taxi
October 26, 2010 at 5:03 PM

Just curious if it bothers anyone riding a taxi in China that most taxis have the rear seat belts removed or disabled in some way.  I'm already concerned for my own safety in general, but it really bugs me to have my kids unbuckled in the backseat, especially having had them get used to carseats in the US.

Posted on: Help Calling a Cab
October 26, 2010 at 11:02 AM

I ended up coming to China before I had any real study under my belt, so I started with speaking first, and I'm glad I did. I think about 2-3 years into the spoken study, i'm now on the character writing track. It is funny to learn to read again.

Posted on: Help Calling a Cab
October 26, 2010 at 8:43 AM

Yours is a problem that I hope to have in another few years. Actually, I wish I could say now my Chinese is so good, that i'm no longer apprehensive when the driver opens his mouth, I'm bored.

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4
October 25, 2010 at 9:04 AM

location, location, location. In Nashua NH, a 250 square meter house with an half acre of lawn to mow is around $350-400,000.  In Lincoln MA, that same house is around $750,000.  In Atherton CA, that house is $1,445,000.  Puts Beijing in perspective. 

Posted on: Help Calling a Cab
October 25, 2010 at 1:39 AM

Interesting. This is a longer than average elementary.

Posted on: Exchange Rates
October 22, 2010 at 5:26 PM

Upon further reflection, it probably looks that way, but I wasn't trying to make a grand geopolitical statement. If anything, I was only noting it because it affects me personally (and the world must know!!:-)