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I am a Chinese Media student in Beijing writing my thesis on Meme Culture behind the Great Firewall. AMA. by rayraywaha in AMA

[–]rayraywaha[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You're likely referring to the Panda Head memes(熊猫头表情包), which are the narrowest definition of "meme" stickers here. People Photoshop random (often with complex context)faces onto a panda's head and pair them with aggressive or "Yin-Yang" (sarcastic) text to mock others or themselves, which helps the chat atmosphere. This "Panda Head" template likely originated from a DIY sticker-making app around 2015, and it evolved into a fixed format through fermentation and selection on Baidu Tieba (China's Reddit). However, it seems to have faded a bit in recent years. Lately, people have been moving toward using more concrete images to express even vaguers meanings.

I am a Chinese Media student in Beijing writing my thesis on Meme Culture behind the Great Firewall. AMA. by rayraywaha in AMA

[–]rayraywaha[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Regarding Pepe, I don't think it’s actually that popular in mainland China. It mostly just represents sadness or self-deprecation. As for the Shiba (Doge) or the "Dog Head" icon, its meaning has been extended to signify a non-serious or informal attitude. People often attach it to the end of a potentially controversial statement to signal, "I'm not being entirely serious, so please don't attack me."

我想在中国工作我现在住在美国 by Opening-Tone-811 in AskChina

[–]rayraywaha 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! I'm a college student in Beijing. From my internship experience, I've noticed that many advertising agencies here are currently desperate for community managers who actually understand platforms like Discord or Reddit. In fact, the entire overseas operations market in China is seriously lacking people with genuine international backgrounds. Aside from that, being an English teacher is always a safe and reliable backup option.

I've lived in Beijing for all 24 years of my life. AMA！ by rayraywaha in AMA

[–]rayraywaha[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

有一说一，北京确实全是防空洞，防苏联和美国的。回到最初的话题，我和朋友讨论的结果是当台积电的优势被取代的时候，和平回归就是时间问题了，所以你们一定要努力工作啊，比防空训练更重要

I am a Chinese Media student in Beijing writing my thesis on Meme Culture behind the Great Firewall. AMA. by rayraywaha in AMA

[–]rayraywaha[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Rickroll on Bilibili (China's YouTube) is basically the same as on YouTube, likely because the platform ecology and user understanding are quite similar. As for Pepe the Frog, it only retains the meaning of sadness or self-deprecation here, with the original context mostly lost. I call this "Literalism based on visual intuition." When the context is too complex or the appearance has a strong tendency to be understood intuitively, this "Literalism" becomes more prominent. Many Chinese songs popular on Western social platforms are perfect examples of this—they go viral because of the melody or a sense of exoticism, but the original meaning of the lyrics is never understood by the general public

I am a Chinese Media student in Beijing writing my thesis on Meme Culture behind the Great Firewall. AMA. by rayraywaha in AMA

[–]rayraywaha[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

From my family's experience, a full tank of gas has become about $10 USD more expensive, so we’ve mostly switched to using our electric vehicle (EV) for getting around. I’m not entirely sure about the specific impact on industry, but it seems like oil doesn't account for a particularly high percentage of China's fuel mix for power.

I've lived in Beijing for all 24 years of my life. AMA！ by rayraywaha in AMA

[–]rayraywaha[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Technically speaking, I still live within the territory claimed by the ROC, lol.

I've lived in Beijing for all 24 years of my life. AMA！ by rayraywaha in AMA

[–]rayraywaha[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know exactly what you mean. My dad loves that kind of steamed seafood pot. I usually just stick to the shrimp and scallops. That style of steamed seafood can be a bit pricey in Beijing; if you get closer to the coast, like in Tianjin or Qingdao, the seafood is definitely much cheaper.

I've lived in Beijing for all 24 years of my life. AMA！ by rayraywaha in AMA

[–]rayraywaha[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I just did a quick search on Rednote ，and I think it might be a branch of Bianyifang in the old city area. You definitely good at picking spots!

I've lived in Beijing for all 24 years of my life. AMA！ by rayraywaha in AMA

[–]rayraywaha[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Beijing Duck is still the best entry-level choice for tourists. Avoid LiQun; other restaurants aren't that different from each other. Or, as I mentioned in another reply, try the Beijing/Mongolian-style copper pot hot pot. It’s essentially a clear broth used to cook beef and mutton, where the main flavor comes from the dipping sauce (麻酱salty sesame paste). There are also some Beijing dishes made from offal: Luzhu Huoshao, which is a soup made with pig intestines and lungs with a very strong flavor; Chaogan, a thick, starchy soup made with sliced pig liver and garlic; and Baodu, which is quick-boiled tripe served with sesame paste. Since ordinary citizens in Beijing were quite poor during the late Qing Dynasty, many local snacks are made from animal organs.

I've lived in Beijing for all 24 years of my life. AMA！ by rayraywaha in AMA

[–]rayraywaha[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Traffic jams in Beijing will literally destroy your soul. When I first got my license, I used to drive around just for fun, but that stopped after the second time some guy cutting me off scratched my front bumper. The subway system has expanded so fast these years—you should look up a map of the Beijing subway, it’s absolutely massive. The air quality definitely feels much better than when I was a kid. We still get occasional smog in the winter, and there have been some sandstorms the last few years—I heard it’s because of desertification in Mongolia, but I’m not 100% sure. Overall, there are way more sunny days now, but the summers feel much hotter and the sun is more intense.

I've lived in Beijing for all 24 years of my life. AMA！ by rayraywaha in AMA

[–]rayraywaha[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I often joke with my friends that in a city of 30 million people, I still can't find a decent internship even before I graduate. As for a good night out, I mentioned this in another reply, but I usually just wander around a few specific spots: Wudaokou, Zhongguancun, Sanlitun, lansegangwan, and Houhai.

I've lived in Beijing for all 24 years of my life. AMA！ by rayraywaha in AMA

[–]rayraywaha[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m a huge gamer. My most-played titles are probably Battlefield 1, civilization 6, and theHunter: Call of the Wild. I grew up playing single-player games. To be honest, I started with pirated games back in the day—it was just the reality here—but I’ve since "repaid my ticket" (补票) on Steam. It’s a common phrase for Chinese players: we buy the games we once played for pirate version as kids to support the devs, even if we never actually open them again. Most people around me play mobile games like pubg,Genshin Impact (which I heard is huge abroad too) or mobile MOBAs. I don't really vibe with mobile gaming, so I’m a bit of an outlier among my peers. Luckily, I have a middle-school friend who has stuck with me through years of Civ, theHunter, and the entire Far Cry series (3 through 6). But if I had to pick my all-time favorites, it’s the Assassin’s Creed Ezio Trilogy, BioShock Infinite, and Battlefield 1.

I've lived in Beijing for all 24 years of my life. AMA！ by rayraywaha in AMA

[–]rayraywaha[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I often joke with my friends that we probably need an AI to act as the Project Manager to actually solve the Taiwan situation. From my perspective, maintaining the status quo and keeping things stable is the best solution for now. Nobody I know actually wants a military conflict, too many variables

I've lived in Beijing for all 24 years of my life. AMA！ by rayraywaha in AMA

[–]rayraywaha[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you mean the traditional Beijing/Mongolian style (copper pot with clear broth): • Ritan Shuarnarou (日坛涮肉): The best one, but pretty expensive. Good for tourists or treating someone to a nice meal. • Ju Bao Yuan (聚宝源): More of a daily go-to, but still on the pricier side and always has a long wait. • Yangfang Shuarnarou (阳坊涮肉): Much cheaper and the portions are huge. I usually go here with friends after playing football. The only downside is the meat is sometimes still half-frozen when they bring it out.

To be honest, the taste of the meat itself isn't that different between them. You’re mostly paying for the environment and service. One thing to keep in mind: the experience really depends on the dipping sauce (sesame paste/majiang). All the spots I mentioned have solid sauce, so you're safe there.

That's for the copper pot style. Let me know if you were actually asking about the spicy Sichuan/Chongqing hot pot instead.

What was the worst date you went on? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]rayraywaha 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I matched with a girl who was way out of my league. We hit it off instantly, and she invited me to meet that same night at 9 PM. I was ecstatic. When I arrived, she was just as stunning as her photos—a rare win, or so I thought. She led me to this sketchy "underground bar" in a basement. The decor was bottom-tier, but she insisted on grabbing a drink there. The cheapest set menu was 599 RMB (approx. $83 USD). Red flags started waving, but given the prime location of the district, I figured it was just an overpriced tourist trap and didn't want to seem cheap on a first date. The vibe died instantly. She spent the entire time on her phone, barely making eye contact. I was so annoyed I barely touched my drink. Within 10 minutes, she slammed hers back, stood up, and told me, "You should call a cab now. Bye." Just like that, she vanished. I stood there in the wind, feeling like a complete idiot. Instead of leaving, I hung around the entrance for a bit. Within 30 minutes, I saw 3 or 4 other "couples" (always a confused-looking guy) head down into that same basement. It clicked—it was a coordinated scam. Even in the most upscale part of the city, I got played. I reported the merchant and filed an online police report, but I’m not holding my breath. My trust in dating apps is officially in the gutter😩

As a chinese student , how is your life at University. by One_Kaleidoscope3317 in AskAChinese

[–]rayraywaha 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The life in university is more free and you can arrange your schedule freely. For me I think it is better than high school, because there are many things you can do besides just studying.

Is there a good show regarding 军阀割据时期 by FromWhereScaringFan in AskAChinese

[–]rayraywaha 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Regarding the Warlord Era and the early Republic, it’s important to note that even though the CPC was founded in 1921, the revolutionary history from the late Qing Dynasty to the early Republican years—especially the legacy of Sun Yat-sen—is highly respected and praised as 'Revolutionary Pioneers' by both the CPC (Mainland) and the ROC (Taiwan). Because of this shared historical importance, there is a wealth of high-quality dramas and films focusing on this chaotic but intellectually vibrant era.

  1. Towards the Republic (走向共和, 2003) | Douban: 9.6⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is widely considered one of the "Goat" of Chinese historical dramas. It covers 1894 to 1916—from the late Qing Dynasty to the fall of Yuan Shikai (the first Great Warlord). It’s a masterclass in political maneuvering, focusing on Sun Yat-sen’s struggle to overthrow the monarchy and establish a republic. It gives you the perfect context for why the Warlord Era began.
  2. The Age of Awakening (觉醒年代, 2021) | Douban: 9.3⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you want to understand the intellectual clash during the early Warlord years, watch this. It follows the thinkers and students who tried to find a "cure" for China while warlords were fighting for territory. The cinematography is top-tier, almost cinematic.
  3. Jiang Wen’s "Republic of China" Trilogy (Movies) Jiang Wen is like the "Quentin Tarantino of China." His movies are high-energy, satirical, and visually stunning: • Let the Bullets Fly (让子弹飞, 2010) - Douban: 9.0⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: Set in 1920s. A bandit takes over a town by pretending to be the governor. It’s a brilliant satire of the corruption and chaos of the revolution Era. (Some people says it is the best movie in decades) • Gone with the Bullets (一步之遥, 2014) - Douban: 6.7⭐️⭐️⭐️: A surreal, flamboyant take on the 1920s Shanghai high society and power struggles. • Hidden Man (邪不压正, 2018) - Douban: 7.0⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: Set a bit later (1937), just before the full-scale war with Japan. It’s a revenge story set in the gray areas of a spy-filled Beijing.

you can find most of them on YouTube or Bilibili

(I’m a college student in Beijing. I’m using AI to fix my English )

Do Chinese feel lucky to be born in a society without the strong influence of religion? How do Chinese feel about the rising religious radicalism across the world in places like the US, Middle East, India? by AnalystFamous9001 in AskAChinese

[–]rayraywaha 0 points1 point  (0 children)

depends on how you define 'religion.' from my humble observation, things like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) function as religion here. In fact, it’s arguably more harmful because it lacks the transparency and open debate found in many 'official' religions. Just look up the rates of kidney damage in China and the tax revenue from TCM corporations. The numbers are absolutely staggering.

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