BBC Blog Network

User Profile

Vaughan_the_Prawn

Listed below are comments made by Vaughan_the_Prawn between Wednesday, 13th August 2008 and Saturday, 23rd August 2008.

«Newer
Older»

Proud of Daley's display 9:21pm on 23 Aug 2008 #8 - I thought he was just alluding to the fact that it's impressive that a non-Chinese won a medal, given that China was so dominant and had won 7 out of 7 before then?

He has a lot of respect for the Chinese divers if you read some of his interviews, I don't think he meant it to come out like that. Nevertheless, I guess the comments will soon be flying in on this blog too....!
An epic two weeks on the coast 04:00am on 23 Aug 2008 Really enjoyed the performances, and the commentary. And wouldn't say I've watched much sailing at previous games, but will certainly do so again.

Thanks Rob and team.
Thankfully I was Open to 10k war of attrition 9:55pm on 22 Aug 2008 #104 - michaellou - so because David Davies behaved badly and threw water over an official, so "manhandling of the English journalists was completely and absolutely right a week ago"?

I suppose they guessed something like this would happen and got the retaliation in first.

It's at times like this when I'm really grateful to the internet for, amongst the rubbish posted on many of these boards, there is the occasional opportunity to see how someone really thinks, behind the polite facade they put on for the world. More enlightening than any regular piece of journalism. Thank you for your comments sir.
Phelps 100m away from matching Spitz's magnificent seven 00:22am on 16 Aug 2008 #50 - agree, with your analysis in general and I think it's a remarkable achievement (although it is true a 100m runner will never win 8 golds in one games), but don't really think the Zimbabwe comment is that relevant - Kirsty Coventry is a product of the US college system, and sounds like it.
Not quite what we thought 3:17pm on 15 Aug 2008 He wasn't attacking anyone he was starting a debate? How over-sensitive are you people. We read a range of sources to get different opinions and don't believe any of them 100% - did you see the Independent with it's "The Greatest Show the World Has Ever Seen"? headline? These angry responses to a harmless article do more to damage Western opinion of China than any journalist can.

And of course the Chinese never insult anyone.

Yours, a "Big Nose" Western "ghost".
Is Phelps really the greatest? 03:28am on 14 Aug 2008 US population 300m. UK population 65m.

Just imagine if we had 300m people to choose from.
Not quite what we thought 1:43pm on 13 Aug 2008 There's no China bashing here - a very neutral article.

To all those Chinese saying things like 'how dare you discuss China in this way, what about Iraq'... hey, feel free to criticise our government as much as you want about Iraq! A million of us went on the streets to do exactly that! At least we're allowed to do that. Many of you bring up Iraq, Afganistan, all the time, no problem.

That doesn't mean we can never discuss China again unless it's about how wonderful and great China is. I know you're used to state controlled media where everything is always perfect in China, wouldn't you prefer an open discussion? And yes, I've spent a lot of time in China, reading the Chinese press and their views on the West - not exactly complimentary either!
Will London welcome the world? 1:34pm on 13 Aug 2008 I just want to thank all the ordinary Chinese people who volunteered to help at these games, I think they are the real stars of the show with their friendliness and helpfulness.

Every time I've visited China I've also been amazed by the appetite to learn English. You often see signs saying thinks like "English is the passport to a better future", and people are very eager to chat and practice English.

A small point though: You do have to be slightly careful in the tourist areas (eg: Nanjing Rd in Shanghai) as a few people there will try to get you to go for coffee or a drink to 'practice English'.... they work for places nearby and you'll be given a huge bill! Luckily I was warned but a friend of mine got stung...

But the appetite for knowledge is great and I'm trying to reciprocate by learning Mandarin.
Why the Water Cube is so fast - and my tip for another GB gold 05:54am on 13 Aug 2008 #14 - totally agree in terms of the total available (which favours countries strong in those sports), but I think the difference is that Phelps can actually have a go at 8 medals. With boxing, weightlifting etc you can't compete at more than 1 weight. And if you're a 100m runner you get one shot.
Not quite what we thought 03:06am on 13 Aug 2008 I don't really have an issues with any of the CGI stuff with the fireworks, after all they've admitted it was staged and it entertained everyone - no real harm in that.

I just feel sorry for the little girl (who I thought was v cute in her own way) who was publicly judged to not be pretty enough. Must have left some lasting mental scars, particularly as she is so young.

I know all the superficial criteria for selecting hostesses etc seem a bit over the top, but I think we should be careful not to apply our cultural standards to this, we have evolved into such a politically correct society that this sort of thing is now looked down on, but that's not necessarily the same in China. We could probably do with a bit less political correctness!

Appearances just seem to be judged slightly more clinically there - on my last trip I had a few comments about a certain fold in my eyelids which was apparently a good thing to have (guess they spared me the comments on my bad aspects!). And after all, look at any product launch etc in the West and the models will all have a certain look, they just don't spell out the criteria so blatantly.

«Newer
Older»

^ Back to top

BBC MMVI

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

BBC.co.uk

BBC Blog Network

Find and talk to the BBC's bloggers.

User Profile

Vaughan_the_Prawn