Hi chaps and chapesses, Well, I arrived here in China after 4 very tiring flights. Am catching up on sleep. The food is terrible (my opinion only of course) and am feeling a bit lonely. Just got internet - hence this message to my fave forum. No YouTube or Farcebook!!!!!!! I haven't spoken to Hanna yet but hope to do soon. Can't get my tongue round this bloody language yet. BTW did you know the Chinese word for 'no' is 'poo' (not sure about the spelling!") Will keep you up to speed. Take care everyone - I don't suppose there are any chip shops round here!! Al.
Chinese words for "yes" and "no" don't exist. They are much too direct. You can say "hao" (good) and "bu hao" (not good) and "yo" (have) "mayo" (don't have) so in pub if you want a glass of beer you say "Yi bei piju, yo mayo?" (one glass/cup of beer, have/don't have?) Five years in Beijing working for a Chinese State Owned Enterprise. Never again. Hong Kong always excepted Mainlanders hate Hong Kongers. The feeling is entirely mutual.
Yes Dom - I'm sorry - had a few issues in the UK. Everything ok now. I'm bloody starving here - don't know how to ask for food!! Still lonely! Al.
Do you mean to say, Al, that there isn't a Chinese take-away close by? Remind us again why you're there!!!
chi fan yo mayo? ( pronounce "cher fan yo mayo") "do you have food?" Hen hao chi le (hun how chee ler) "that was delcicious" Whereabouts in China are you - it's a big place!
"Chinese take away" in China = "lady of negotiable affection". (Terry Pratchett) Availabke in very large numbers, but English commonly limited
