User Comments - xiaophil

Posted on: Fun at the Beach

Actually, I pretty much agree with you, Tal. Almost all the Chinese I ask about tattoos say they dislike them, and I do ask from time to time. But no matter what average Chinese Joe thinks, they are quite visible. As I said, however, the trendy kids haven't picked up on body piercings. Can't figure out what the barrier is here.

Posted on: World Cup and Diamonds

Yeah, I know it sort of makes sense that they support their所谓 brothers in North Korea, but believe me, it was overdoing it a bit. Not only that, I'm under the impression that the Chinese government is a little embarrassed by North Korea. They may be brothers, but North Korea is the kind of brother China doesn't want to be seen in public with. I think that there are basically 2.5 reasons China still supports North Korea.

1. Doesn't want to have a bunch of North Koreans flood its border if the country collapses.

2. Doesn't want the American Army on its border.

2.5 Doesn't want to hurt the feelings of the old Chinese veterans that fought on North Korea's behalf

Actually, I think those are all sensible reasons, but I do wish China would use its influence more. I'll leave it at that.

Posted on: Diet Coke

I had a little problem with 零度 in the beginning too. It does sound like zero degrees. That said, one of the Chinese words for calorie is 热量, which does imply temperature, so it all makes sense in an obtuse way.

Posted on: 人类的起源

CPod

你们别介意，可是你的上面的介绍不对。接下来是你们写的：

“一个连聪明的科学家们都无法解决的问题——人是从哪儿来的？”

你们写的“无法解决”有误导性，意味着科学家绞尽脑汁，可是不能做出结论。其实事实就是这样，绝大多数进化的专家都同意人类和现代的猴子有一个共同的祖先。虽然这些科学家还没完全解决每个小细节，不过全面趋势很明确——现代的人类就是一种进化过程的产物。因此，你们CPod人员说“无法解决”十分不合适。你们应该写：

人类的起源是可争论的。

对吧？

Posted on: World Cup and Diamonds

I was watching news on some Chinese station or another last night, and they wouldn't stop going off about how North Korea didn't get slaughtered by Brazil. It really was over the top, almost as if Chinese should worship them. I got the feeling the Chinese government wanted to say "Look, this North Korean government we support is at least somewhat good at something."

Posted on: Diet Coke

Odd, it is different in the mainland then.

Coke Light = 健怡可乐 (I don't think there is Diet Coke in mainland. Is it still labeled this way elsewhere?)

Coke Zero = 零度可乐

Posted on: Fun at the Beach

Tattoos are quite popular in Shanghai, so much so that I am actually surprised that body piercings aren't popular as well. I used to think that body piercings were mostly just popular in North America, but when I went to Europe last summer, I saw them all over the place, especially Spain. I wonder why Chinese have (somewhat) accepted one but not the other.

Tattoos (and body piercings) would make a good lesson. In the meantime...

tattoo 纹身

to tattoo sth on sth 将某物纹刺在某处

body piercing 穿体装饰

nose ring 鼻环

Posted on: World Cup and Diamonds

changye

Yes, that was an interesting read. Thanks.

Posted on: Fun at the Beach

Hi Chris,

I actually agree with you one hundred percent if the personal preference is based solely, or at least reasonably so, on one person's personal conclusion. The problem is when a personal opinion comes about through heavy cultural reinforcement. When it comes to pure aesthetics, especially regarding people's appearance, people should be taught to like what they like, not like something because that's what everyone else thinks, or worse, because it is self-evident. I have raised the possibility of racism here but haven't gone so far as unequivocally accuse anyone of it. However, some anecdotal evidence I have come across is not so positive.

Posted on: Fun at the Beach

I stand behind the Chinese when it comes to trying to stay out of the sun. A little sun is healthy, but purposely becoming bronze is bad for skin. Just look at Pamela Anderson now. Yuck.

But I rather detest the idea that some natural skin colors are ugly and some are beautiful. I don't want to sound ultra PC, but it is close-minded at best, and extremely offensive, possibly racist, at worst.