User profile: faraday

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Forums > Living in Kunming > Is it just me, or?

Capitalism was most certainly not born in England during the industrial revolution! Perhaps the word was, but not the meaning.
Right and wrong are matters of opinion. My view: He who tries to impose his view of right and wrong on others is dictatorial. He who tries to impose his views on others, while in a foreign country, is imperialistic. That's my view, i dont try to force it, so take it or leave it - i dont care :)

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Forums > Study > methods employed by foreign english teachers

Sending kids as young as 10 out around the town to interview foreigners that are complete strangers, take pictures together etc. What kind of teaching method is that? I find it ridiculous, am i right or is this normal?

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Forums > Living in Kunming > Does China have any culture remaining??

Hi, I also did'nt read the longer posts above. However I'd like to point out that wikipedia, and "common knowledge", are very incorrect to claim that Chinese culture is one of the oldest. Far from it, 5000 years should be considered recent. It's certainly the LARGEST culture, and has been for a long time, but not the oldest by a long shot. For example, there is hard evidence of Celtic culture dating back 12.000 years and some evidence (in North America!) which suggests that Celtic culture may be 50.000 years old. Aboriginal culture is another example, and has been traced back a whopping 60.000 years.

Also off topic, but many Chinese people find this "fact" something to be proud of. Shouldn't they actually be ashamed about it? Its very...parochial. A quote from the acclaimed professor of anthropology at the University of Amsterdam, Geert Hofstede, to answer the question "What is Culture?" : "Culture is the collective programming of the mind". Chew on that - brainwashing :)

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Forums > Living in Kunming > Forwarding Calls from Chinese Mobile to USA number

Hi. I can't read Chinese and can't seem to get on the international Skype website right now to check its available in China, but they have two services I've used in the past (in Europe and US) which can be combined to do what you want, without leaving a phone or anything in china. "Skype To-Go Number" (you get a local phone number, i.e. a chinese one), the call is received on your Skype app assuming its installed on your phone, anyplace you like. Another service they have is "Skype call-forwarding" which forwards the calls anyplace you like, e.g. to a phonenumber in the US. Both are paid services but very cheap.

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Hi Kate, I know that some countries and orgs find Khat harmful, but the point is that the UK government's own studies, performed by specially appointed and well qualified personnel, concluded otherwise and recommended NOT banning it. Yet the UK bans it anyway. What other countries and organizations find, is completely irrelevant. My pondering on this subject is not medical, but political.

Sweden was exporting Guillotines to Irak only a few years ago, I think they stopped now. And Denmark exported the lethal injections, also recently stopped (2014?). Nobody's innocent.

I recently read that the UK is now going to ban Khat, and call it a class C narcotic substance - despite the fact that the governments own research shows no harmful effects. So who's pulling the strings there? Seems like it's disgruntled Somali wives?

Regarding the comment "Death penalty for all drug users... just execute all drug users since they serve no purpose in any society.". Serving a purpose in society is not a prerequisite for the right to live. If it was, well, I think most of us would not be around..

Its the British Consulate General and the British Council who are sponsoring this, not a "UKTI". The UKTI youre talking about is not mentioned but the contact email given is to the FCO, which in turn is part funded by the "UKTI" (as well as the british secret service MI6).
I have no problem with the events. What i do have a problem with is western consulates - with a mission to serve all citizens - bending over backwards for the corporations but dont give a monkeys about the small guy. Of course the corporations are more important but we're not talking about an 80:20 division - its 100:0. Im not running for any elections, but i guarantee y'all that if i had the task of providing support to British individuals and busineses, I'd be banging on Lightnings door and asking "is there anything i can do for you, sir?". To compare "UKTI" with the US embassy is apples and pears, and in any case, just because the US embassy ignores (according to laotou) its citizens does'nt make it ok. Or?
Ive been an expat for 30 years and started small businesses in 3 foreign countries. I've seen this a hundred times. This event in my view is yet another example of a western TRADING organization freeriding on the back of a willing CITIZEN organization. Did they bring anything that the local expats can be proud about, point at and say to the chinese "this is where i come from"? With gimmicks, bad food, chinese photography, and raucous advertising (british culinary delights, british whisky - are u for real?) I'd doubt it.

Thats my view, its harsh, but its formed through experience. Maybe its also wrong.

Dazzer, Yankee

Exactly. And what i mean is - why are'nt they trying to please the palate of local expats? Its the other way around yankee - its the local expats who promote the home country, not the pompous empty suits. Seems to me like they're very interested in forming new relationships, but dont care a hoot about maintaining a relationship, even with fellow landsmen. A "butterfly".

As for the business side, Lightning who wrote above seems to me exactly the kind of person they need to talk to, yet he didnt even know about the event despite being registered.

If i was a Chinese businessman at these events, i would'nt trust 'em as far as i could throw 'em. I'd probably trust Lightning, though.

Reviews

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been there several times, very satisfied every time. menu has classics like fish n chips, bolognese, pizzas etc. very tasty, at good prices.

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Friendly staff and good service, food and prices are ok. No complaints but its nothing special either, and not worth a visit unless you live closeby.

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Nice atmosphere and cosy but the western food is bad. I think they deep-fry the burgers. As a cafe - 4 stars (service is a little bit lacking at times), coffee and cakes etc are good. As a restaurant, 2 stars (western food is too bad, asian food is mamahuhu).

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"All the Meat" only had about 3 slices of salami on it, so maybe i got the wrong order. Anyway, leaving that aside - soggy bread, ketchup as tomatosauce, and cheese was probably from a tube.
Potato wedges soggy as well.
I left half my meal, the only thing up to scratch was the coke and the service. Will not be back.

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If the name of the shop is written in english then they should speak english, yes! A pokey shithole trying to give the impression of a quaint li'l ole bookshop. Pig-ignorant staff, never been greeted with a smile there, nor even greeted. If you must shop here, bring your own bag. 1 star earned for selection and the (for me) convenient location.