This forum is giving me a headache

Agree.

shewolfnm- Apparently a large group of Chinese adolescents have "discovered" A2K. They are all interested in western breakfasts, (I can't imagine why )

I think that it is nice to help these young people as they attempt to wade through the English language, and western culture. Think of it this way. The way to world peace is by knowing other peoples as individuals, as human beings. I think that this is a great way to begin a dialogue, one on one!!!

yeah man....let's all spark up a doobie.

Here's to world peace.

Oh, c'mon. Those posts like "what did you have for breakfast" are awesome. They display who is the most creative. They're so awesome, whenever I see one I want to drive a nail into my ear canal.

Slappy- I disagree. I think that for young people, it is fascinating for them to know the various differences in our cultures. For us old folks (I am including you in the "us" ) we may be too sophisticated to enjoy stuff like that, but it is nice to share our knowledge with others.

Well at first I didn't realize shewolf's breakfast post referred to the Chinese students. I understand the culture thing.

I'm talking about all the other "what's for breakfast/dinner/lunch/drinking" posts that go up every other minute from the regulars. Gaaaaaaaaaaay.

i can imagine why. they're all taking the same class, in which they were asked to write on this topic. either that, or their instructor asked them to post the question on a2k. in fairness, if a horde from myspace can all post the same riddle about polar bears turning white, then chinese students can all inquire about breakfasts.

I know it is important to them. I am in no way beating it up...

it is just making me dizzy seeing all these posts with the same underlying meaning.

what do you eat over there people?


It makes me wonder if A2K isnt a lesson itself.
The teacher said
Ok sign in here.. and see what the americans tell YOU today..

What I want to know is what they are having for breakfast. Now, I'm as gullible as the next person, but I know prying when I see it, and would really like to know why this information is all headed down a one way street.

rog- I never thought of that. Perhaps they are spies, who will commandeer all of my "Honey Bunches of Oats". What a tragedy that would be!

Chicken fingers and egg rolls! You have REAL Chinese culture surrounding you in form of take-out restaurants.

I have answered a lot of these questions (the breakfast questions are starting to annoy me, though). Many of these new members have the letters "cumt" in their screen name. It was driving me batty, so i started a thread on it yesterday. Mac came right in and suggested that they may be students at the Chinese University of Mining and Technology, and provided a link. She was being sharp, and i was being dull (and exhausted by English-language questions made difficult by the ineptitude of the people posting the questions, who never provide context). I suggest that what we are dealing with are waves of Chinese students getting assignments in English class, or unable to decipher the reading assignments they are getting in English class. One of them identified himself as an English major, and proceeded to demonstrate that he has a very long way to go, indeed.

I just saw that you finally got a thank-you, Setanta. You've certainly been working hard.

Im assuming these language students are all from the same class.
Maybe they could write all their queries in 1 post.

BBB
I'm amazed that they are able to access A2K. I understand that the Chinese government has blocks on many sites that spread the idea of democracy (ala Google, for example.)

I think it's good that the students are getting through to the decadent West.

BBB

You know Soz, most of them never reply. It kind of gets my goat--makes me want to stop responding. But, i just tell myself they are young and dumb, and therefore lack decent manners. So i continue to plug away from time to time.

I like the idea of encoraging more dialog from these new posters. i replied to one of the breakfast threads with my view and then asked for the poster to tell us a little about her/his breakfast. answering the question would be a good way to practice and improve english skills, and draw more people to a2k.

they better leave me some HBoO with almonds.