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Zero Gravity Café; General Chat Thread
Topic Started: Dec 12 2006, 08:52 AM (5,667 Views)
Sirus Ramsey
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Lieutenant
In principle, they are very similar. Honoring the dead. As Tribble stated, and you, 24 are no doubt aware, Asian culture has a great reverence for ancestors, some even say it borders or is ancestor worship. In any case, it's not so much a celebration like Dia de Los Muertos, but literally families pack a picnic, cleaning supplies and flowers and Chinese paper charms and go out to the graveyards and clean the tomb, decorate it with flowers and eat a meal and leave some food at the tomb. I used to have a digital camera, but lost it a few months ago. My cousin still has his though.
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24thcenstfan
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^^

I think it is nice that people care enough to take the time to care for the tombs/graveyards.
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Sirus Ramsey
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What's kind of weird about Chinese ancestor practices is that they belive the spirits of the dead are quite fussy. There's a lot of things you have to do to appease them. For example, I'm not sure of the frequency, it's determined by phases of the moon and Chinese astrology, but every few weeks people bring large copper or brass canisters outside their businesses or homes and burn "hell money" in them. Currency for the dead. :headscratch: I haven't quite figured it all out yet. There are of course, also tables with food and drinks on them for the dead as well. It's really interesting to be living in such a foreign culture, although sometimes a little confusing. :lol:
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24thcenstfan
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There are certain parts of China that I would really like to visit. Other parts that I would probably stay away from.

I think traveling through a country with such intricate customs would prove challenging. The potential for offending someone is great. I guess you have to be careful with that no matter where you travel to though.
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Sirus Ramsey
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China is a beautiful country. The arctitecture especially appeals to me, but more and more, China is modernizing and the new construction is your typical cubic style. The most difficult thing really is language. Although many Chinese people can speak a little English, it's usually very limited. Chinese itself is a relatively difficult language especially for a Westerner to learn. People are very polite, and it's usually pretty difficult to end up offending someone. The only thing is while visiting with Chinese people is not to discuss politics. It's still a repressive Communist government, and people are afraid to even talk about such things, and simply won't. It's best to respect that and not bring it up.

Taiwan on the other hand is not technically China. They are a free capitalist democracy, they have all the freedoms Americans know including a free press and right to assemble and protest. So politics is a popular subject here. Just a quick run down: The KMT (Kuo Min Tang) was originally the Nationalist Party of China before Mao Tse Tung took over as Communist Leader. The KMT fled to Taiwan, hoping to regroup and retake China. They ruled the island originally with a military dictatorship and squelched opposition mainly due to the Japanese influence when they occupied the island during WWII. Recently however, elections were held and the most recent election voted the KMT out of power, replaced with the DPP (Democratic People's Party) or "Green Party" of Taiwan. This was a true test of the government in power to have to give up their reigns they have held so long and allow an opposition party to take over. But they did. However, charges of corruption and money laundering plauge the new administration, exacerbated by the fact that the KMT still own most of the major media. Taiwan is a prosperous nation, one of the "Eastern Tigers" that rose in economic power during the 90s. However, growth has stagnated, and average income has remained stable for a few years. There's also the problem of Taiwan's legitimacy in the rest of the world. Most nations, eager to business with China, accept China's claim as Taiwan being one of their providences. There are only 30 odd nations of the world who recognize Taiwan as a seperate entity. The DPP has somewhat exacerbated that situation as well as running on a platform of independence from China and their winning the election provoked the missle "test" a few years ago in the Strait of Taiwan. The U.S. sent a few ships though to show their support despite the official recognition of China's claim. Taiwan hasn't had a seat at the UN since Nixon's visit in the 70s. The future of Taiwan is a big question mark, and nobody really knows the answers. Taiwan does maintain a military and pledges to fight invasion. However, they are sadly outmanned and outgunned by the Chinese. I hope and pray it never comes to that. I really think this is how China should be. Before Mao's Great Leap Foreward and Cultural Revolution. A free China where political debate is allowed, and where people can influence their government directly.
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Mfive
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The Cosmic Soul Brother
Good Morning All! :wave2:
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24thcenstfan
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^^

Good morning Mfive! :hello:


Sirus,

Thanks for the info. Some I was a ware of. Good information though.

I hope Taiwan continues to advance as well. China is slowly (in general), but they have a long way to go.
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Big Boss
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Legendary Soldier
Greetings all!

24, I finally saw the thread about Dukat and Kira - I answered your questions. :)
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Mel
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Captain
Hello. :)
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24thcenstfan
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Hey Mel! What's going on in your world today?



Big Boss
 
24, I finally saw the thread about Dukat and Kira - I answered your questions. :)

I'll head on over there now. :D
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Mel
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Captain
Hey 24.

Nothing exciting. I rearranged my room a bit to clear some space. And now I have my math book in front of me. I should make din din soon. :lol:
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24thcenstfan
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Mmmm... din din. I plan to cook pork chops tonight. :drool:


Although, that probably wouldn't be as appetizing for you since you don't eat meat.
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Mel
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Captain
Hehe that's right. :lol: I might make some kind of pasta dish. Easy, quick, and yummy! :drool:
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24thcenstfan
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You could always take a cucumber and cut it up to look like a pork chop. :lol:


Pasta is good too. :yes:
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Mel
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24thcenstfan
Apr 4 2007, 04:23 PM
You could always take a cucumber and cut it up to look like a pork chop. :lol:


Pasta is good too. :yes:

:lol: I guess I could.

The sauce is being made and the water for the pasta is being heated.
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Mfive
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The Cosmic Soul Brother
Where's Warner?
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24thcenstfan
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^^

He has decided to take a break from KOT.
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Intrepid
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Fleet Captain
I'm officially waiting for 12:01 AM so I can be the first one up! :rotfl:

24, thanks for keeping KOT open. You don't know what a haven this place is to all of us.

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Mel
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Captain
I'm an hour ahead of you all... :P So it's 12:01 here before you.
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24thcenstfan
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*24 contemplates on how to beat Intrepid's time* :chin:


You're welcome Intrepid. :hello:


Btw, I just wasted 30 minutes of my life watching the "get to steppin'" part of AI tonight. And who should still make it through to another round? :lol:
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