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Cheers! This lesson is about drinking. In this lesson, three friends reminisce about how they first started drinking over a couple of drinks. Learn a bit about Chinese attitudes to alcohol as well as some useful drinking words.

Cheers! This lesson is about drinking. In this lesson, three friends reminisce about how they first started drinking over a couple of drinks. Learn a bit about Chinese attitudes to alcohol as well as some useful drinking words.

After China's rapid urbanization, it's millions of city dwellers are longing to get back to the farm. And who can blame them? Fresh air, fresh food and peace and quiet. What's not to love about a getaway out in the country? In this lesson, learn all about it!

For a wintertime getaway, bathing in a hot spring is a popular pastime for many Chinese, not only to relax but also for certain, often dubious, health benefits. Of course, that's not the only thing in doubt. How clean are these hot springs? And are they really hot springs or just glorified hot tubs? In this lesson, a group of coworkers plan an office getaway and reveal their doubts.

Exploring the world of Chinese food is not for the faint of heart. Those of us not used to eating the organs of animals should be weary. Many traditional Chinese dishes revel in using all kinds of offal in their preparation. And names can be misleading. Even if you think you know what is in a dish, it's easy to get it wrong. In this lesson, two friends check out the food at a Taiwanese night marke...

Ah, the problems of others. The landlord is raising the rent just a bit too high. Someone's lover has run off with someone else. A wayward son can't seem to find his way. For some, hearing about these problems is reason enough to end a conversation or leave the room, but for others, it's entertainment at its best. In this lesson, a mother and daughter argue about the worth of “The Auntie Bai Show”...

You're out of college and it's time to do something with your life. You can't just hang out on your parent's couch all day, can you? In this lesson, someone discusses with their mother about pursuing their dream of starting a magazine. Also, be sure to check out the new task feature below, ChinesePod's newest way to enrich your learning experience along with fellow poddies!

In China, waiters don't get tips. Zip. Nada. Zilch. Of course, there's no way that can fly in the US where tipping is ubiquitous. In this lesson, two Chinese friends discuss American tipping culture and how it relates to Chinese customs.

Being a journalist is a difficult job not least because of the notoriously low pay and constant deadlines. Getting that scoop that makes the job worthwhile can often be the hardest part of all. In this lesson, a new reporter learns the ropes from a hardened veteran while investigating a mining accident.

Last month both Washington State and Colorado passed initiatives to decriminalize personal possession of marijuana. However, the debate in the US as to whether or not marijuana should be legalized is one that continues on the national level. In this lesson, two Chinese friends discuss the issues surrounding marijuana legalization.

Elections are a contentious issue anywhere... even in a classroom. In this lesson, students are asked to elect their leaders. What results is a demonstration in electioneering that would make even seasoned politicos blush!

American favorites from Chinese take out include dishes like crab rangoon, General Tso's chicken and orange beef. However, these dishes are more American than Chinese. In fact, most Chinese people are unlikely to even have heard of these dishes. In this lesson, listen as two Chinese friends talk about American style Chinese food while looking for a bite to eat in the Big Apple.

China's recent prosperity has made many of its citizens richer, even the beggars! Realizing that they can make more money from the goodwill of others as opposed to working on their own, some beggars on China's streets aren't in desperate need; they're professionals looking to make a living. In this lesson, learn about the phenomenon of professional beggars and what you can do to tell the real ones...

No one wants to eat cold rice, but cold noodles, on the other hand, are a popular summer staple in China. In this culinary lesson, learn how to make a Chinese cold noodle dish.

Sometimes you just have one of those days where everything goes right and you're in a great mood all day long. In this Chinese lesson, follow along this story about a series of fortunate events and learn what made this guy's day so lucky.

Sometimes you just have one of those days where everything goes wrong and you're in a terrible mood all day long. In this Chinese lesson, follow along this story about a series of unfortunate events and learn what made this guy's day so miserable.

If you're from a place like the United States, you might be used to paying exorbitant monthly fees for your cellular phone service. In China, the fees can be very low indeed even including data, but there's a secret: you need to sign up for a monthly service plan. In this Chinese lesson, learn how to abandon pay-as-you-go and get on a data plan.

Maybe you've heard that things are cheap in China. Well, yes and no. But leaving lights on and water running isn't smart in any country. In this Chinese lesson, learn how to get to the bottom of a roommate's wasteful behavior and give him an earful for it.

It's a story that all Chinese children know: the story of the little tadpoles looking for their mother. Follow along on this epic journey and pick up a nice stack of measure words while you're at it. (For extra credit, you'll also be asked to make "the frog noise" the Chinese way.)

Many homes have what's called a "mending pile," which is also referred to as "the place where old clothes go to die." In China, though, it's so easy to find someone to mend, patch, and alter all your clothing woes! In this Chinese lesson learn the key words to describe how clothes "go bad," the key verbs for fixing them, and even some key measure words.

We know you've been ordering coffee in Chinese since your Newbie days, but have you been ordering fancy coffee? You know, the kind with cream and sugar and chocolate sprinkles? Because we sure are, and it's high time we invited you into our wonderful world... of fancy coffee.

What is there to do in Nanjing? Learn about this fascinating historical Chinese city, including some of its unique cuisine. At the very end of the lesson, find out about some of the Chinese and foreign perceptions of this unique place.

Ah, bed wetting. Whether it's your young child, or your "friend" who had that "totally realistic dream where I was using the toilet," bed wetting is a fact of life. Learn the key vocabulary to discuss it in this lesson.

Cash is still king in China, but the occasional wire transfer is inevitable. Learn the Chinese vocabulary and patterns to transfer that money in this lesson. (Don't worry, we won't ask what the money is for.)

For all you TV addicts, you might be relieved to know that in China, too, satellite TV can offer you the hundreds of channels you desire. Sure, they're all pirated, and you'll need to get a new descrambler code every few months, but that's all part of the service and of the "Chinese satellite TV experience." Listen and learn.