Phrases that take on a new meaning in China

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Tree

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Phrases that take on a new meaning in China
« on: March 16, 2014, 03:50:56 AM »
Holy shit - realizing you didn't bring enough toilet paper

Clear as day - from the air quality to the bureaucracy to the little bits floating in your hot pot

That was a close call - nearly lost all of its significance within 48 hours of arriving, its de rigueur

You can speak Chinese very well - you can say disjointed tone deaf phrases that are so awkward that they have little recourse but to use this phrase in order to break your momentum



The greatest and most important problems of life are all in a certain sense insoluble. They can never be solved, but only outgrown.
- Jung

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eggcluck

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Re: Phrases that take on a new meaning in China
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2014, 04:05:44 AM »
Your very handsome - is not a gay come on
Still standing

Re: Phrases that take on a new meaning in China
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2014, 06:10:41 AM »
Where do you come from?

I'm from XXX

Oh, XXX is such a lovely country

Have you been there?

No

Do you know where it is?

No

Do you know anything about it?

No

 bibibibibi
For you to insult me, first I must value your opinion

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eggcluck

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Re: Phrases that take on a new meaning in China
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2014, 02:10:16 PM »
Ok, I can do that later for you.  - Forget you ever asked, because I will be hoping you forget since I will never do it.
Still standing

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piglet

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Re: Phrases that take on a new meaning in China
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2014, 10:54:45 PM »
Chinese person: MAYBE
Real Meaning- NO
Chinese person- YES
Real Meaning-Maybe  bjbjbjbjbj
For people who like peace and quiet - a phoneless cord

Re: Phrases that take on a new meaning in China
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2014, 01:58:44 AM »
Teacher: "Do you understand what I have just explained to you?"
Chinese student: "En..." followed by enthusiastic nodding.
Real Meaning: "Not a bloody word, but I am too afraid to lose face to say so. Please continue babbling whilst I dream of becoming boss and spend all day playing with iPhone".
"Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination." Oscar Wilde.

"It's all oojah cum spiffy". Bertie Wooster.
"The stars are God's daisy chain" Madeleine Bassett.

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Escaped Lunatic

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Re: Phrases that take on a new meaning in China
« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2014, 04:09:13 PM »
Yes
Standard answer to any question involving 2 or more choices.

Examples:
Should we go to dinner first or the movie first?  Yes.
Do you want to climb a mountain, watch TV, or go shopping?  Yes.
Do you prefer Hunan or Guangdong food?  Yes.
Should we have lunch or throw ourselves under a bus?  Yes.
I'm pro-cloning and we vote!               Why isn't this card colored green?
EscapedLunatic.com

Re: Phrases that take on a new meaning in China
« Reply #7 on: March 17, 2014, 05:14:00 PM »
Yes
Standard answer to any question involving 2 or more choices.

Examples:
Should we go to dinner first or the movie first?  Yes.
Do you want to climb a mountain, watch TV, or go shopping?  Yes.
Do you prefer Hunan or Guangdong food?  Yes.
Should we have lunch or throw ourselves under a bus?  Yes.


Teacher:
That's not how to answer the question, please answer properly.

Student:
Should we go to dinner first or the movie first?  No.
Do you want to climb a mountain, watch TV, or go shopping?  No.
Do you prefer Hunan or Guangdong food?  No.
Should we have lunch or throw ourselves under a bus?  No.
For you to insult me, first I must value your opinion

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Tree

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Re: Phrases that take on a new meaning in China
« Reply #8 on: March 17, 2014, 07:02:42 PM »
I think if we combine Piglet's and EL's we might be getting somewhere...
The greatest and most important problems of life are all in a certain sense insoluble. They can never be solved, but only outgrown.
- Jung

Re: Phrases that take on a new meaning in China
« Reply #9 on: March 17, 2014, 10:21:43 PM »
Ohhhh,

Traffic lights, aren't they pretty. What are they for?

Yield right of way? What is yield?

Stop at the what coloured light?

Crosswalk? Don't be cross when you walk (must be a Western Christian thing)
For you to insult me, first I must value your opinion

Re: Phrases that take on a new meaning in China
« Reply #10 on: March 17, 2014, 10:25:46 PM »
I don't litter, I keep the working class employed
For you to insult me, first I must value your opinion

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cruisemonkey

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Re: Phrases that take on a new meaning in China
« Reply #11 on: March 17, 2014, 11:51:27 PM »
"I'm from a beautiful city..."
(She's from Linfen)
The Koreans once gave me five minutes notice - I didn't know what to do with the extra time.

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Borkya

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Re: Phrases that take on a new meaning in China
« Reply #12 on: March 18, 2014, 12:42:13 AM »
I don't litter, I keep the working class employed

You laugh but I had this happen to me several times in fast food restaurants. I grab my tray to bring it to the trash and my chinese fiends stop me and put it back on the table. "It's their job and if you do it they get mad," I've been told.

Re: Phrases that take on a new meaning in China
« Reply #13 on: March 18, 2014, 02:10:24 AM »
I don't litter, I keep the working class employed

You laugh but I had this happen to me several times in fast food restaurants. I grab my tray to bring it to the trash and my chinese fiends stop me and put it back on the table. "It's their job and if you do it they get mad," I've been told.

Your first mistake is to have Chinese "fiends". You need friends.

Sorry, but you know the rule:  only point out typos if they're funny.

This has happened to me a couple times at different unis
For you to insult me, first I must value your opinion

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Tree

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Re: Phrases that take on a new meaning in China
« Reply #14 on: March 18, 2014, 03:24:17 AM »
No smoking - make sure your hair is no longer on fire before you enter this area, otherwise do as you please

西餐 We have unsalted french fries and cucumber slices for your hamburger

The greatest and most important problems of life are all in a certain sense insoluble. They can never be solved, but only outgrown.
- Jung