英語角-圓桌會議 RoundTable - 狄仁杰VS夏洛克

Topic1 Public Servants Don't Like Frugality BansOn December 4th, 2012, China's central authority announced eight rules to curb government's luxury expense and corruption. Another seven similar rules have been released since last July including bans on new government buildings, firework and New Year card purchase, gray income and tightened management on reception expenditure.

Recently The Beijing News carried out a survey on 100 randomly picked public service workers from east, central and west China about the influence brought by these bans and rules. In the interview, some public service workers say they are considering quitting jobs because of these rules.

We've talked about these bans when they come out. But there is one thing that's missing in these discussions, that is how would civil servants feel about these ban. Now we're getting there. Do you think their feeling is understandable?

Topic2 CASS Green Book suggests extending public holidaysA report by a government think tank is suggesting the nation should have more public holidays.

The country now has 11 public holidays, and according to a Green Book on China's tourism issued by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, there should be two to six more in order to revive a Golden Week for May Day and extend by several days the Spring Festival holiday.

Do we need the change?

Topic3 Nine Fears of the Spring FestivalFor children, spring festival is almost the happiest time in a year. They get to wear new clothes, party with cousins, receive red envelops and gifts, and go to temple fairs. But for grownups especially people who were born during the 1980s, the upcoming spring festival makes them frown.

An online survey shows that people have nine fears about this spring festival.

Are these imaginary fears, or can spending Spring Festival at home really be a torturous experience?

Topic4 Sherlock VS Di Renjie(soundbite) This sound-bite comes from two TV series—UK's Sherlock and China's Di Renjie.

People's Daily recently remarks that Sherlock is like new wine in the old bottle, which still becomes a huge worldwide hit. If China develops the internet industry with more effort, maybe we can let the British people know that we also have an amazing detective named Di Renjie.

Does the commentary make sense? Should more people know about the Chinese detective Di Renjie?

Topic5 30% Don't Want to Marry Female PhDHere is a question for our male listeners, if you are single, would you like to marry a female PhD?

Recently, a female PhD gets really popular online due to a lonely-heart ad, which later leads to a public discussion about the question I just raised.

30% of the net users give a negative answer. Why is that?

Topic6 Can't buy me love – Expense in a urban love affairA recent report, done by China's largest dating website – jiayuan.com, shows that a male spends in an ongoing relationship an average of 1,400 yuan per month, 1/3 of his monthly pay in northern Chinese port city of Tianjin.

The situation in other major cities in China is no better. Money spent in running a proper relationship keeps rising, due to growing living expenses.

The reality is that most guys experience economic pressure when it comes to sustaining "necessary" activities entailed in having a girlfriend.