Polite Savages (tm)

New York Chinatown Bakeries

I love food.  I love Chinese food and I mean real Chinese food.  Not the stuff of local takeouts that cater to a bland palate.  One of the things that most Americans don't experience about Chinese food is the Chinese bakery.  The Chinese bakery in America is a fusion of Western baking techniques and the Chinese palate.  The baked goods range from sugary goodness in the middle of a napoleon walnut cake, the savory goodness of a pork thread bun and my favorite, the egg custard tart.  Of course there is so much more for sale like roast pork buns, curry puffs, hot dogs wrapped in puff pastry, sweet white pullman bread and the list goes on . . . I could eat at a Chinese bakery everyday. 

A couple of blogs and websites provide fantastic advice on  navigating the menu and ordering etiquette at a Chinese bakery.

Ed Levine provides a detailed guide to New York's Chinatown bakeries.

This is a general New York Chinatown blog.

Fay Da is one of the most prominent and accessible bakeries in New York's Chinatown.

These bakeries typically provide trays, tongs and wax bags.  It's self-service but sales attendants are always ready to help customers especially the ones that look confused.  Please do not use bare hands, put baked goods into the wax bags.  Move from left to right.  Pass your tray to a cashier who will tally your purchases.  Pay quickly and get out of the way.  Don't be afraid to ask questions.  Finally as always, say thank you and please and smile.

Enjoy!

What's Wrong with Social Networking for Dogs?

Well for starters, dogs can't use a computer.  They can't read or even type on a keyboard.  Do they really care that Dancer misses his mommy or Tequila Bon Bon's favorite treats are Dr. Becker's Bites (which by the way my dog loves)?  Not so much. 

Boo Cheetos, Orange Underground Should Stay Underground

I saw an ad tonight for Cheetos (r).  Setting:  Laundromat.  Heroine:  Young woman trying to plod along and do her laundry.  Antagonist:  Mean girl who says something mean to Heroine.  Resolution:  Chester Cheetah (r) excuses himself from imaginary chess game to suggest that Heroine put her bag of Cheetos (r) into Antagonist's dryer full of whites. 

What's wrong with this story? 

Lots.  I hardly believe that advertising should teach people anti-social behavior.  So what if Antagonist made a mean comment to Heroine.  Does that really justify a stepped-up, property-damaging response?  This is a rhetorical question and the answer is NO! 

I would love to know who came up with this socially irresponsible ad campaign that condones anti-social behavior.  I would love to discuss their attitude or dump a bag of Cheetos (r) into their laundry and see their reaction.

Cheers!

Train Vigilante Followup

The New York Times folllowed up on the indignant train passenger who tried to educate his fellow commuters on the etiquette on public transportation. 

While I am sympathetic to his beliefs, I don't agree with him on how to enforce those social rules.  Yelling, physical contact are big no-no's for me.  You end up being just as bad as the people you are trying to correct. 

So here's to you Mr. John Clifford and all that you do.  May you be rewarded in this life or the next.  I wish you the best. 

Robin Sparkles

Robin Sparkles is Robin from How I Met Your Mother on CBS. Robin was a pop star in Canada and the video parodies that they do of Robin are hilarious.

I'm back!

I've been absent for so long. I'm so sorry. I've been busy with life and gathering lots of new material to tell you about. So let's move on. Find it in your heart to forgive me - please forgive me. Sigh.