Shining_brow on news Departure of Foreign Investors May Cost China 40 Million Jobs(6 comments)
So, now we're starting to get the data that we all knew was coming - foreign companies going elsewhere, because doing business in China has too many negatives. The balance of Chinese foreign policy vs low wages/expenses has now tipped. I'm sure the CCP will make this look like a good thing - the loss of millions of ... Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on SpongeBob 's blog Office Craziness Part II(3 comments)
I really don't like this sort of blog... because it reminds me of just how low the integrity is of so many that I've met. "Agreement" is a meaningless word, and so many people here only want to use (and abuse) others. However,... I wonder, have you thought of going to the boss and showing what Sarah's been ... Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on adb2014 's blog Why I'm Trying to Lose Friends and Alienate my Co-workers (6 comments)
Highly unlikely that anyone will even notice.... which, again, will show the value of the group, and why leaving wasn't a bad thing! Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news Is There a Growing Wave of Nationalism in China?(14 comments)
I see a difference - one can love one's country, but be really angry about the government. That's not something that seems to be well understood here. Also, one of the first examples was about the Olympic swimmer who was called a cheat... in most other countries of the world, it wouldn't be taken as an attack on the ... Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news Is There a Growing Wave of Nationalism in China?(14 comments)
Dude... it was about nationalism and patriotism... not about rudeness, or attacking people. Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news Is There a Growing Wave of Nationalism in China?(14 comments)
Guest - "I'm an American".... did you tell the CCP that you've changed citizenship, and handed back your Chinese passport? Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news 10+ Countries Where You Can Use Your Chinese Driver’s License(11 comments)
And yet... China STILL refuses to acknowledge any other driver's license as valid!!! Typical hypocrisy! While this article might be handy for Chinese, it's a complete waste for expats. If we have a driver's license from most (all??) of the above mentioned countries then we already have that reciprocal privilege! ... Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news 10 Inauthentic “Chinese” Dishes and What Chinese Think of Them(8 comments)
Nice little 'western' bashing going on here.... especially when implying that ALL restaurants cook dishes badly, when in fact it's just some of them...(talking about oily dishes is rather ironic, given the greasiness of many Chinese dishes I've eaten here - and refuse to again!) Also, somewhat amusing to point out ... Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news Crossing Knives: Two Companies, a Famous Logo and a Court Case(4 comments)
This should be a no-brainer... a company that has used the same logo for more than 100 years, versus a company that's only recently come on the scene, from a company infamous for just outright stealing patents, logos, copyrights, trademarks, etc etc etc.... This would totally suck if Swiss Gear wins this! Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news Shanghai to Pilot New Work Permit System for Foreigners(6 comments)
Can ESL teachers even get the A category? Are we 'specialised' and 'high end' foreign talent? Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news I’ve Lost My Train Ticket in China! What Should I Do?(6 comments)
Simple solution - say you got on at the previous station, and only travelled the shortest distance! Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news Russia is the Hottest New Destination for Chinese Tourists(9 comments)
100 million visitors to Russian in 2015, and expected to get 100% ANNUAL growth over the next 5 years means.... 2016, 200 million, 2017 would be 400 million, 2018 - 800 million, 2019 - 1.6 Billion, and by 2020 - 3.2 BILLION tourists... Yep - totally believable!!!! (anyone care to do the math on the number of ... Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news Simplifying the Art of English Writing(17 comments)
Then... don't teach! (well, English writing... if you're teaching math or physics, then obviously fine!) Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news World Anti-Doping Agency Suspends Beijing Lab’s Accreditation(3 comments)
"Can appeal to the International Court of Artibration.." Haha...that's funny! Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news Polish Man on Scooter Kicks Over Jaywalking Woman in Nanjing (21 comments)
What's most annoying about such things is it might keep her alive! Next time, she might actually look to see if she's about to cause an accident. SOOOO many idiots in this country who don't bother either following laws, or even simply looking out for themselves, that so many get killed in accidents. While I may not ... Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news Polish Man on Scooter Kicks Over Jaywalking Woman in Nanjing (21 comments)
As I see it, you can tell that the rider has done a slight detour to the left and is accelerating away from the scene as he kicks her (yes, it's just there). From the angle he is veering to the left, it should be fairly clear to see that the woman would have been in front of the rider). So, I'm going to agree with ... Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news China’s English has Recently Gotten Worse: What Happened?(61 comments)
Having just checked online information available for the IELTS test, it would seem that Chinese candidates are actually IMPROVING in English! At least, over the last few years, their reading and listening skills have slowly been gaining ground - going up by about 0.1 bands per year.. (while the speaking and writing ... Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news China’s English has Recently Gotten Worse: What Happened?(61 comments)
I used to work for such a program as well (and knew of a guy called Kevin!! up in SH :p) The program required students to be at an IELTS equivalent of 5.0 at end of first year, 5.5 by middle of second year, and 6.0 at the end of second year (though, I've possibly mis-remembered and it should be +0.5 band on those ... Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news China’s English has Recently Gotten Worse: What Happened?(61 comments)
Also... one HUGE effect on the statistics... A few years ago, the people going overseas were those who had studied their butts off, and were keen, dedicated students, who wanted to increase their education abroad - and so, studied English to a MUCH higher standard that what is currently required of overseas ... Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news China’s English has Recently Gotten Worse: What Happened?(61 comments)
I think the problem really starts at university, where many are put into English programs because they couldn't get into the other ones. And, thus, you have bad students of a language becoming bad teachers of a language. Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news China’s English has Recently Gotten Worse: What Happened?(61 comments)
How do you LITERALLY "screw them out of an education"??? (in a thread on language, you left yourself wide open for this!) Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news Peking University Professor Sues CCTV for Pseudo-Science Make-Up Ad(2 comments)
This is just hilarious!!! You can't sue for bad quality (potentially harmful) food and stuff, you can't sue for bad environmental effects... but you can sue a TV station for saying 'we don't like chemistry'.... Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news Budgeting in Beijing: Living on 10,000 Yuan per Month(42 comments)
"Dating: It’s hard to find a girlfriend or boyfriend on 10,000 a month, going to a bar a few times a month quickly adds up to 600 Yuan. A Relationship: Having a girlfriend will cost you at least 1,200 Yuan a month, 900 Yuan at the very least." So, this article is obviously directed towards the ... Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news Kindergarten Accuses Parents of Libel for Complaining about Russian ESL Teacher(51 comments)
I'm curious - did you think this teacher would have been acceptable to you if you hadn't been misled? You said you spoke to the teacher, but didn't suggest any comments in regards to his actual English ability... (let alone, teaching ability). Full Comment>>
Shining_brow on news Chinese State Media: No Sexual Harassment Here(8 comments)
It's only harassment if they complain... and most women are too scared of the consequences to complain! Especially about a boss... I like the irony on my pager... the 'related article' on the right is about the restaurant offering discounts to women based on boob size! Yeah - no sexual harassment in this country... ... Full Comment>>