Why we don't eat fruit in China and update on the uses of deer penis
Today has been a great success thus far. Fridays gave us 2 umbrellas yesterday, maybe for being regular customers, which came in handy again today, as it's been raining constantly for the last three days. We were told that it never rains here, so we hadn't brought any rain equipment. Also, we were confused about the umbrellas for the following reasons: the umbrellas weren't Fridays umbrellas, and even though there were three of us, we were given two umbrellas, non-matching, and slightly broken. In addition, we had previously sent back a drink for having too much sour mix. Perhaps they were trying to please us to make up for the drink?
We're still trying to train their waitstaff. Today, we got excellent service, the best that we've had so far in China. For example, we each got our own menu (not sure why they're usually so cheap with menus here), the waitstaff didn't hover over our shoulders waiting for us to order before we were ready, we got all the condiments we requested, the waiter helped pour our ketchup for us, and when we dropped a fork on the floor, he replaced it for us without having to be asked. In fact, he lept to our aid. We think this may have something to do with the fact that we left two quai as a tip yesterday for slightly improved service. Today we left 15, since it was so stellar. I know you don't usually tip in China, but the "service" is always so bad that they don't deserve one anyway.
Our simulation was also a great success this morning. My class, in particular, was wonderful. They were putting on a trial which had to do with an athlete in the Beijing Olympics who had been accused of drug use. (Since the winning athlete was Japanese, they had further reason to find her guilty). Anyway, they brought suit jackets as props for the courtroom, and the Beijing Disciplinary Committee even had a Snoopy gavel which they used to keep order. Very nice touch. I'm not sure they entirely get the judicial process, but they were very enthusiastic participants.
We also asked them about the deer penis. Apparently, you grind it into a powder, add it to liquor, and drink. It's supposed to be a performance enhancer. A rare, expensive one. Rare enough to be displayed in a carved box with a nice ribbon tied around it.
Which reminds me of another item we found in the gift shop labelled "Silicon Teat, with Camera". It was a baby bottle. We're not sure what the "camera" is. Perhaps a material used to make it? It had a copyright symbol after it...
We went to a Japanese restaurant yesterday, and we were served these gorgeous fruit plates for dessert - watermelon, Faith - and we finally broke down and ate the fruit (except for me - I was the designated non-fruit-eater, in case everyone else got sick). Unfortunately, I made the mistake of asking at the dinner table why we don't eat the fruit in China. Apparently, there's a very, very good reason - human fertilizers are often used, and with sanitation and hygiene in China being the way they are (mostly nonexistent, as illustrated by split pants), we don't trust that the fruit has been properly washed before cutting. If not, the knife can transfer the bacteria from the surface to the middle of the fruit.
Aside from the usual miscommunications and inconveniences, nothing further to report for the day so far.
We're still trying to train their waitstaff. Today, we got excellent service, the best that we've had so far in China. For example, we each got our own menu (not sure why they're usually so cheap with menus here), the waitstaff didn't hover over our shoulders waiting for us to order before we were ready, we got all the condiments we requested, the waiter helped pour our ketchup for us, and when we dropped a fork on the floor, he replaced it for us without having to be asked. In fact, he lept to our aid. We think this may have something to do with the fact that we left two quai as a tip yesterday for slightly improved service. Today we left 15, since it was so stellar. I know you don't usually tip in China, but the "service" is always so bad that they don't deserve one anyway.
Our simulation was also a great success this morning. My class, in particular, was wonderful. They were putting on a trial which had to do with an athlete in the Beijing Olympics who had been accused of drug use. (Since the winning athlete was Japanese, they had further reason to find her guilty). Anyway, they brought suit jackets as props for the courtroom, and the Beijing Disciplinary Committee even had a Snoopy gavel which they used to keep order. Very nice touch. I'm not sure they entirely get the judicial process, but they were very enthusiastic participants.
We also asked them about the deer penis. Apparently, you grind it into a powder, add it to liquor, and drink. It's supposed to be a performance enhancer. A rare, expensive one. Rare enough to be displayed in a carved box with a nice ribbon tied around it.
Which reminds me of another item we found in the gift shop labelled "Silicon Teat, with Camera". It was a baby bottle. We're not sure what the "camera" is. Perhaps a material used to make it? It had a copyright symbol after it...
We went to a Japanese restaurant yesterday, and we were served these gorgeous fruit plates for dessert - watermelon, Faith - and we finally broke down and ate the fruit (except for me - I was the designated non-fruit-eater, in case everyone else got sick). Unfortunately, I made the mistake of asking at the dinner table why we don't eat the fruit in China. Apparently, there's a very, very good reason - human fertilizers are often used, and with sanitation and hygiene in China being the way they are (mostly nonexistent, as illustrated by split pants), we don't trust that the fruit has been properly washed before cutting. If not, the knife can transfer the bacteria from the surface to the middle of the fruit.
Aside from the usual miscommunications and inconveniences, nothing further to report for the day so far.
posted by jessica rabbit at 11:59 PM
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