User Comments - ingrid22
ingrid22
Posted on: Living in Nanjing
May 11, 2011, 05:24 AMThere's the influence from cinemas as well as other media types, but I think it has a lot to do with the lighter skin. It is very easy for Asians, or huang2zhong3ren2 黄种人 （aka: Yellow skinned peoples) to tan. In many Asian countries, you will find they LOVE and ADORE people who have light colored skin. Your skin tone reflects your social status to some degree. Those who have darker skin tend to be laborers or something involved in being in the sun quite often. Those with lighter skin obviously in more shaded areas, in buildings, which means they "MUST" be educated or wealthy. (That's the assumption.)
Now most foreigners being born with lighter skin don't think that way about skin tone and status, but I'm sure you guys can kind of see the basis for their love of light skin.
As for darker skinned foreigners, it really varies where you go. For the most part cities will welcome you regardless of what shade you are.
Posted on: Living in Nanjing
May 11, 2011, 05:16 AMjohnb, the 哪里,哪里 (na3li3) is used in RESPONSE to having RECEIVED a compliment. It's a very humble way of saying thank you for the compliment.
Posted on: Living in Nanjing
May 11, 2011, 05:11 AMlol It seems to be a pretty common mistake. You can get away with saying 小姐 to almost anyone in Taiwan, so that's something to keep in mind. But it would be good to make a list of places where NOT to say that!! Don't want to unknowingly offend someone then get into trouble!!
Posted on: Overseas Chinese
May 10, 2011, 03:12 AMWhy can't people just... get along? This lesson is very on target and you guys have brought up some really good points about how 华侨, ABC's, BBC's, etc are viewed in the Asian world. It's really quite awful, but don't let that ruin your time there or your drive to learn Chinese. There are plenty of others who would love to meet you and welcome you to their country and aren't so narrow minded!
Posted on: Living in Nanjing
May 10, 2011, 02:48 AMThink of 小姐 as "Miss or Ms." Makes it much easier. But I was told in certain regions it can also refer to women who accompany men in the evenings. So check first.
Posted on: Cold Cucumbers in Sauce
May 09, 2011, 03:57 AMhaha, well I think the lesson covered some good basic cooking language, but I agree that the "teachers" could have mentioned bashing (sounds so nomadic, heh) the cucumbers as another method of making the dish. I really do they consider more cooking lessons. If not, there should be a forum with CHINESE directions as to how to prep and make authentic Chinese foods! :D
Posted on: Cold Cucumbers in Sauce
May 08, 2011, 11:53 AMThe cut may have to due with the Chinese preferring to eat long pieces than the short pieces of cucumber. Try it, 1 dish, with 2 different cuts. See if there's a difference. :) It does make a difference, but if you don't really think about it, then you won't notice.
Posted on: Cold Cucumbers in Sauce
May 08, 2011, 08:34 AMI second the request for cooking lessons! ;)
Posted on: Actually
May 03, 2011, 07:25 AMI think there's a tonal difference. When you use 把 in 请把事实告诉我们 the speaker sounds more demanding, like they are commanding you to do something. Whereas if you just say 请告诉我们事实, there is a softer tone to the sentence, more like a request.
There may be some other way of explaining it, but that's my understanding of the usage of 把.
Posted on: Living in Nanjing
May 11, 2011, 05:27 AMwhat is this "Rice Queen Syndrome" you speak of? ...