User profile: Alien

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Forums > Living in Kunming > Why do miserable foreigners remain in China?

Yeah, in the US the phrase 'the Old Country' has been common for a long time - meaning the country where one previously lived and from which one came to the US, as an immigrant. China is much less a country of immigrants, of course, and visa regulations make problems for those coming here - but one might adapt the same mentality.
Or not - your choice, but 'home' is a word with a floating definition.

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Forums > Living in Kunming > Cultural Research-

Rice, tea, 'western'-style clothes (no temperature extremes), few serious religious beliefs but numerous minor ones ('superstitions'), Islam Buddhism Christianity Taoism all practiced by some to varying degrees, average level of education probably 1bout 10 years, living arrangements in towns & cities mostly in privately rented or owned apartments...not quite sure what you might want to know.

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Forums > Living in Kunming > global warming

@Blobbles: I pretty much agree with all that you wrote. The last paragraph is particularly important, I think - many people seem to see doing their jobs as simply hey-I've-gotta-make-a-living, and really don't take much personal responsibility for the results of their actions (at work or elsewhere). This is not hard to understand: first of all, indeed they DO have to make a living; secondly, and more importantly, the nature of employment in the kind of world society we have is pretty much a matter of following orders given by those who have power over others, not because they've been given that power in any consensual or democratic manner, but simply because the system determines that if you can get power over others then you have the right to exercise it (yes, regulated by law, of course - hence there is legal & illegal business, etc. - but still, the principal is pretty much grab what you can). That is, when ethics and/or a sense of personal responsibility for the effect of one's actions on others is pitted against the need to 'make a living', with the principal that everybody is either a winner or a loser (actually, of course, this means everybody is both), it is obvious that the need of the individual to survive will take precedent.

So its' "I'm alright, Jack" & you go worry about yourself - never mind that both of us are, collectively, ruining the planet (global warming, etc.) & then naturally people have to justify themselves to themselves and to others - if they can. It all discourages even-handed consideration, inquiry and ho9nesty either with self or with others.
Now go about your business & don't bother me, there's nothing I can do, my contribution is only a drop in the bucket, I'm only following orders, it's human nature, you can't fight city hall, who do you think you are talking about all these big issues, blame the generals I just follow orders & pull the trigger, it's all in God's hands, you can't change the world, and I don't have to believe anything that I don't want to, even if it's true.

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Forums > Food & Drink > Burger King

@Gompo: I think it's probably because nobody really wants to think this one out and defend their points of view. Too bad.

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Forums > Living in Kunming > global warming

A furtehr question: why do some people apparently WANT to believe that there is no global warning, and others seem to WANT to believe that there is? Why do some people WANT to believe that it has little or nothing to do with human activity, and others the contrary? It seems to me that this is the situation.

Or is everybody simply level-headedly, with no agenda, trying to find the truth?

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Cannot say I knew Ai Yong, although I met him a few times. However, I'm familiar with Shanren, and just last Saturday became aware of Kawa - friend of mine and I, hearing the recording, were trying to figure out just where it was coming from; we asked and were told it was Kawa, and then I got the obvious, excellent Wa influence.
There are beginning to be quite a few good musicians here in Kunming, and they deserve respect. Sorry to hear that Ai Yong will not be among those who will continue to produce and invent the music.

So he suggested truce and then figure out what to do next. OK, as far as it goes.
Seems to me the problem is the Myanmar military, who've had over 60 years of experiences of privilege, corruption, uselessness and/or brutality and who have yet to be reduced to the level of ordinary people. Should have had the hell reduced out of them many years ago.

Reviews

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Not quite what you'd call a jumping place, but not bad at all for rather standard US-type meals, not overly expensive, and with a really good salad bar that's cheap, or free with most dinner dishes after 5:30PM. You can get a bottle of beer or even wine if you really want to, but I've never seen anybody do it - maybe that's just to take out. Chinese Christian run, and they hire people with physical disadvantages, who are pleasant and helpful. Frequented by foreign (mostly North American) Christians and Chinese Christians - was started by a Canadian couple associated with Bless China (previously, Project Grace), who are no longer here, but no religious pressure or any of that. Steaks are nothing special, and I avoid the Korean dishes, which I've had a few times but which did not impress me.

As a shop and bakery, it's very good bread at reasonable prices, of various kinds (Y18 for a good multigrain loaf that certainly weighs well over a pound. Other stuff too, like granola and oatmeal that is local, as well as imported things, including American cornflakes and so forth, which some people seem to require.

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Large portions, seriously so with the pizza, which is Brooklyn/American style, I guess. Convivial, conversational, good place to drink with good folks on both sides of the bar, especially after about 9PM.

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Really good pizza and steaks. The wine machine fuddles me when I'm a bit fuddled, & seems unnecessary. Good folks on both sides of the bar.