Comment from Web

On 'Rant messed with my mind'

Double standards

Isn't it interesting that Chinese people will work really hard to adopt Western habits to appear more "cosmopolitan" to their peers, but if Westerners try to adopt Chinese habits, we are simply awkward barbarians.

After many, many years of living in this ever-evolving country/community/culture, I value even more the advice given to me many years ago by an "old China hand". "People who come to China for six weeks return home and write a book. People who stay for six months return and write a magazine article.

Those of us who stay longer just 'keep our mouths shut', because we realize we will never understand Chinese culture." I do have to say that some of it boggles my mind... I love Chinese New Year and yes, I annually set off a string of firecrackers in my backyard!

Chinamom

Patriotic food tests

Eating burgers and playing baseball makes Chinese people more American? Isn't that like 50 percent of the citizenship test? I say if a foreigner is able to stomach baijiu, sea cucumbers and chicken feet, the government should let them be Chinese and pay taxes.

Slagwater

On 'The long-awaited Little Yao'

Free choice for healthy baby

Firstly, my congratulations to Yao and Ye. I wish you and your baby good health. Secondly, let's remember that having a baby is their business only. We need only to give them a quiet and safe environment. Thirdly, Yao and Ye have already made great contributions to the country. They are famous in their sports fields and I am proud of them. Yes it is hoped that their baby can play basketball like its father or mother, but we should respect the interests of the baby.

So finally, I look forward to the birth of the baby!

Decoty

On 'Taxi drivers, it's time to shape up'

GPS would be a good idea

I fully agree. Taxi drivers in Beijing must learn to respect customers and above all, must do their jobs well - that means learning directions, even with the help of a simple GPS. This should be mandatory in every taxi.

IT

(The stories and comments can be accessed at www.chinadaily.com.cn/metro)

(China Daily 01/25/2010 page27)