Comments on: Things Are Different Here, Part 1

By: Kyle (凯尔)

Kyle (凯尔) — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 12:21:29 +0000

A few things:

When it comes to weights and measures… if you want two jin of something, do not use the correct word for two “Liang”, use “Er”. This is the only time the “rule” is broken. Because there is actually a unit of measurement called the “Liang”, which I believe is either 10 or 20 Jin. (Next up… “Who’s on first?”

When it comes to milk. Look at the package, if you see the word 酸 (suan), the Chinese word for “Sour”… it’s yogurt. Sometimes, you will see two of them 酸酸… Don’t make the same mistake I did, and put that on a bowl of cereal. (Mountains of sugar).

You can find some nice cheese slices at Dafu (You know where). They were selling nice bricks of edam and guoda guda gouda… whatever.

baijiu… wait… you drink baijiu? You are sick, demented people… I don’t want to know you anymore =)

By: Betty and Bart

Betty and Bart — Fri, 19 May 2006 01:56:09 +0000

Great descriptions. We really feel we’re next to you two. Keep it coming. xoxoB&B

By: Will

Will — Thu, 18 May 2006 18:24:37 +0000

My English Grandmother had a washing machine like that. I remember she used to drag it into her kitchen, run a hose to the tap and then vigorously poke a stick into the washing side as it churned. After a while she’d transfer the laundry to the spinning tub and then the clothes were removed and hung to dry. Although “proper” washing machines were then available (I’m not THAT old) she clung to her old ways and her old machines. She still thought of the old machine as a convenience, I think, though I remember watching in wonder at how hard she labored.

I suppose people in China still expect to work.

By: Eddie

Eddie — Thu, 18 May 2006 07:16:06 +0000

you know… i don’t think i’ve ever seen a dryer in china.
but i sure did see a ton of clothes lines.
let me know if you actually find one… like in someone’s house.