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3 Months: Thank You For Your Support

by on Thursday, October 9, 2008 51 comments

Emails I Have Received

I have received interview requests from some representatives for other websites and even ESPN and the Associated Press (AP). Each time I was very excited and very flattered. However, each time I have said I can do an email interview, but not an in-person interview. There are personal reasons for this that I do not want to explain here at this time. I am sorry for any inconvenience but I really hope people will understand.

Here are some of the emails that readers have sent me. I have edit them to remove their personal information or unrelated comments.

[...] I just wanted to say that I think the topics you are posting are quite controversial, and you bringing them to the English blogosphere is quite brave.  I would like to do more reading on the Chinese bulletin boards to get to know the Chinese Netizen community better.  I read Chinese characters, but the problem is there is just so much information and postings everyday, how can I find interesting topics among all the other postings? [...]

Thanks,
Jason

I really enjoy your blog. It provides a great window to Chinese net culture for non Chinese speakers.

Great stuff.
Sam

I want to say a big thank you for starting chinaSMACK. You’re doing a big cultural service not just for documenting the “sexier” reality in China, but for people like me trying to understand how the Chinese
are similar yet different to other nationalities. I love how you include the translated comments from the forums and explain some of the double meaning in the choice of words in some articles.

I’m actually Singaporean, studying in New York in the States. Right now working on my dissertation on China’s Internet Regulations, but trying to get a sense of how life in China isn’t as repressive as what
the Western media reports. [...]

Thanks Fauna!
Kevin

First let me say your blog is probably the most sensational thing I’ve seen crop up this year, and I mean that in a good way. Keep up the good and very entertaining work.

Thanks, and all the best,
Anthony

I am german and I will begin my chinese studies at a german university next year. Until then I teach myself some chinese and take mandarin classes led by a friends’ mother.
[...]
Anyway, I actually wanted to tell you that I really like your blog. I recently discovered it and I am a daily reader since.
[...]
:)
再见
janosch

I randomly came across your blog chinaSMACK and found it incredibly interesting. I’m Chinese myself and spent a little more than half my time abroad, and the remainder in Hong Kong.

I don’t encourage, nor do I condone what you’re posting on the blog – I’m quite indifferent actually, but I like how you’ve clearly stated, “I just want to show a piece of the real China, real Chinese life, and real Chinese people. I want to show our beautiful side, our fun side, our sexy side, and even our ugly side.”

Honestly, I just find what you’re doing really entertaining. [...]

Cheers,
Joseph

Sir/Madam,

You know with face culture as it is in China, it is so hard for foreign people to obtain a rounded perspective about the culture. Subject to only the positive we are left with our imaginations to guess the negative things that will inevitably exist (as with any society).

Just like you said, every country has its good and bad parts. I am not looking for mud to sling, I just want to understand what is happening and what Chinese society is really saying and thinking.

For those who want to look past the ‘orientalism’ and racism that is so rife (in Western discourses of China), and take the time to truly understand what is going on here, your website is a godsend.

Thank you,
Kevin

I love your website!

just wanted to say that you’ve been quoted by danwei.org, or at least your post has been recognized :)

http://www.danwei.org/sports/i_just_went_to_take_a_bath.php

- Will

Hi, Iam a French who love your website ! funny and amazing !, [...]
Thank you !

我很喜欢你的博客，常常来看。我也住在上海，但是我是老外所以不懂上海话，特别是在里吧论坛上有些帖子我看不太懂。

希望你继续努力～ 加油！

K

Just found your blog and I LOVE it – it’s so interesting to read the comments that I
usually would not understand. It’s like a window into the Chinese way of thinking.

I have translated things in other languages before so I know this must take you
quite some time, well, it’s appreciated. This is really great stuff for us foreigners. I
will tell my friends about it.

I hope you keep it up :-)

Ben

Really enjoy reading your blog on Chinese pop culture and thought that you might be interested in some of latest US vs.Chinese interent statistics as well as some other major online trends in China in the following article:

China: Ten Things You Should Know About An Online Superpower

Keep up the interesting posts – would have loved to apply for the blogging/writing on chinaSMACK but my Chinese is terrible (Hong Kong/Guangdong parents, born in Sydney, Australia)

Cheers,
Lucas

I live in Shanghai since a while and I can not read chinese. And finally I found something fresh in stead of reading Shanghaidaily all the time.

Keep up the good work. If my chinese was good, I’d surely offer you my help… which is not the case yet.

Good luck~!

With kind regards,
Wesley

Hi there, good work on the ChinaSmack website, I really enjoy reading it, I’m trying to relearn as much Chinese as I can right now and your site really helps! Are you Chinese-American by the way? Anyways, keep up the good work, take care and have fun in Shanghai!

Wei

hey thanks for your page chinaSMACK, i have been looking for this kind of webpage for such a long time cause my chinese level is not enough so i cant join chinese forums!!

Jean

just wanted to say .. Ive been in China for five years and I JUST came across your site.  my apologies ) : but youve got a new fan for life, I LOVE your site.

best,
Joey

discovered your site couple of days ago. Congratulations ! that’s really interesting to find translations of what happens on the chinese net.
I’m French, living in Nanjing.
[...]
wish you a great success for chinasmack (I spread the address to everyone I know already), and see u on the web !

Michel

These emails and some of the comments that people leave on chinaSMACK really make me happy. I always try my best to reply to everyone who emails me.

See chinaSMACK’s Traffic Statistics »
Go back to “3 Months: Thank You For Your Support” »

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51 Comments

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  1. Ark
    Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 11:05 pm

    It’s pretty interesting, seeing all those crazy tianya content and nationalistic thrashtalking being translated for the world to read.

    Reply
  2. Paul
    Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 11:28 pm

    For those of us not interested enough to read Tianya etc this website is a haven of everything interesting/amusing.

    2000 uniques per day is not at all bad work. Really really good in fact over just 3 months for a blog.

    Reply
  3. linuxcity
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 12:51 am

    If you can provide a paypal link, I will be really pleased to donate $10 for this website.

    Reply
  4. laowai
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 1:22 am

    Thanks for this nice website and congratulate for this great success. 2000 views is really a good value for such a young project.
    Despite the fact that I am living in China and I am able to speak elementary English, I still enjoy to read your block. Thanks for the additional information!
    I really want to support you but 25 US Dollar is a big amount for somebody living in China. I would never spent so much money to purchase a T-Shirt.
    Maybe you can find another way how to support you. A paypal link would be a nice idea.

    Reply
  5. will
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 2:02 am

    I’d love to get a shirt…… but I’d prefer the design with out the Jiong Character…. just chinaSMACk “Hot internet stories, pictures, & videos in China. What’s popular, scandalous, or shocking that have the Chinese talking.”

    your tag line might be a bit long……. but something kind of design like that would be cool.

    Reply
  6. John Kennedy
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 2:14 am

    Look forward to buying one of your t-shirts at CNBloggerCon!

    Reply
  7. Henry
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 2:18 am

    Nice shirt . . . but I don’t know if I can pull off pink on black without looking gay. And catching the eyes of female Chinese overseas students is 90% of the reason I’d wear the shirt anyway.

    Reply
  8. Elliott Ng
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 7:05 am

    I will sponsor you to CNBloggerCon in return for some “fashion consulting” from you for my blog. I feel so unfashionable compared to ChinaSMACK! ;) Just emailed you…

    Reply
  9. Yang
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 7:50 am

    This site has been a daily staple ever since my first visit. Just like to thank you for all the great work you’ve put in. No way any other blog/site would have covered as many of the topics you posted and this is one of the few windows which allow me to see into the minds of the Chinese netizens.

    Keep up the good work Fauna I’m definietely eyeing one of them shirts =]

    Reply
  10. Sexy Fat Buddha
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 9:23 am

    Great site. And like others have said – set up a paypal account.

    Reply
  11. Truth Hurtz
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 9:26 am

    I would like to commend you for the runaway success on your pilot blog (Chinasmack). That being said, this blog is reminiscent to talktalkchina, sinocidal, but what distinguishes this from the formers is the translations of the responses of the average Chinese people (Tianya, sina et al). This puts a leveled playing field for certain ‘debates’ along with bridges the gap of understanding between Western readers of this blog vis-a-vis Eastern readers. Overall, I thoroughly enjoy reading each interesting posts as it brings vivid evidence the mistakes China is encountering (due to haste development) but is changing for the better due to them. As a Huaqiao and someone who went to the States at the age of three, China is my motherland and constructive criticism aside I wish the best for the country where my roots are.

    Thank you for operating such a great blog!

    Reply
  12. michelle
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 9:44 am

    Hey Fauna, Thanks so much for this website. It is fantastic. As for being able to write normal English instead of translated English, you’re there! Good luck in the future and congrats on your 3 month anniversary.

    Reply
  13. Inst
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 10:06 am

    Best of luck, this is a great website.

    Reply
  14. mac
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 10:29 am

    good to know
    you’are the best

    Reply
  15. sun bin
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 10:31 am

    a great site and very interesting selection. thank you.

    look forward to your T-shirt, though i am really a non-fan of american apparel — against free market with a bad business model (may work in US but i predict its china outlets to be closed very soon)

    Reply
  16. laohuang
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 10:50 am

    +u
    and ur T-shirts look nice

    Reply
  17. Truth Hurtz
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 10:55 am

    On a funny note, how come that word on the T-Shirt reminds me of the scream mask somewhat lol.

    Reply
  18. Desmond Ting
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 10:58 am

    hi, nice blog.

    I am a Singaporean and I find your blog content very rich. I first came across your blog from Stumble Upon and from then on i have fall in love with it. Chinasmack is the first China blog I have Feed in my Google Reader.

    Keep up the good work!!

    Reply
  19. Muer
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 11:06 am

    Nice work! Even though i’m a new comer. but i like it so much! keep going on!

    Reply
  20. fcuk da lu ren
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 11:56 am

    I love it too, my Chinese friends are dumbfounded when I touch on these subjects!!!!

    Reply
  21. Terry
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 12:52 pm

    Just want to say.. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you and good luck with the next 3 months and thereafter

    Reply
  22. chris
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 12:58 pm

    Hey, just writing to say thanks so much for this blog. I read many China-Blogs, but am always most interested in ChinaSMACK, because it’s rare to see day-to-day opinions from Chinese people written in (or rather, translated into) English.

    I know all that translation can be extremely time consuming, so I sincerely want to say thanks to you and all your contributors. Please keep this up! It’s wonderful!

    Finally, I’d like to echo what other people said about PayPal. I think you’d be surprised at how many donations you’d receive.

    Reply
  23. Fauna
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 1:03 pm

    Hi everyone,

    Thank you for the support. As I have emailed some people about donating money with paypal, I am still thinking about it. I would rather earn money somehow instead of accept free money. That is why I try to make the t-shirt but I know it is not everyone will want one. I will think about it more. Thank you again.

    Reply
  24. Kai
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 1:41 pm

    LoL, wow, I go on vacation (actually, to everyone I know, I was just really really busy working), and all this madness happens.

    @ Fauna:

    Congratulations to chinaSMACK. This has definitely been one of my favorite blogs and RSS feeds for some time now and it is a breath of fresh air compared to a lot of the more politically-oriented posts on other big English-language China blogs. Fauna, not sure how much of this post was polished by your friend but I think your English is already exceptional for someone who has never been outside of China and you should be proud of it. The translations you and your contributors provide are great and they certainly help reveal the very human face of the Chinese. I still get a kick at how the posts here can range from being sexually immature, violent, outrageous, to even inspirational and touching. But that’s society, right? I love it. Keep up the good work.

    BTW, the t-shirt looks great. I think it is admirable you want to earn your way but don’t be afraid to accept a helping hand sometimes. I don’t know how much you make (if you work) but I know all these translations must take forever and a day to do so I think you’ve already “earned” any donations you (hopefully) would get.

    @ John Kennedy:

    My favorite GVO blogger rears his head! Actually, I doubt these t-shirts are going to be sold at CnBloggerCon unless a) RedBubble has a booth there, or b) Fauna buys a bunch, carries them to Guangzhou, and hawks them there. 1. I don’t think Fauna has the money to do that, and 2. I’d probably feel really really heart-wrenchingly bad watching Fauna having to do something like that.

    @ Henry:

    LoL! Dude, that’s brilliant. Unfortunately, not so applicable for me…but, you know, I wonder if it’d work with non-Asian girls also…

    Hot Non-Asian Girl – “Hey, that’s funny, what is it?”
    Guy w/ Jiong T-Shirt – “Well, see, there’s this Chinese character called…”
    Hot Non-Asian Girl – “Oh wow, you’re so international, want my number?”

    Reply
  25. 宝茹
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 3:05 pm

    Yay Fauna! I love chinaSMACK very much! I agree with Kai–your English is really superb for someone who’s mother tongue isn’t English.

    I would love to have the Jiong shirt which is really cute and funny. But USD 25 for them is a bit expensive. (Am a citizen of a 3rd world~~ :P)

    Reply
  26. Rick in China
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 3:08 pm

    @Henry RE: “looking gay”
    You would be surprised how much difficulty many Chinese women seem to have in identifying straight/gay guys. Their gaydar is definitely far less evolved the average foreign woman – what looks gay they would probably think just means you’re fashionable and cool (cough) rather than fruity and love to play bottom. Hanging around China for a long time, I have noticed a lot of really, really attractive women with an obviously gay guy and can only shake my head “Such a waste…”.

    @Kai RE: “so international”
    Hard to identify but, I hope you’re just joking, I don’t imagine any relatively attractive woman saying that…ever :D

    @Fauna
    As some have pointed out, this blog is likely tallying up the same type who frequented Talk Talk and Sinocidal before they shut their doors. There aren’t many good places for a mix of Chinese and Foreign to discuss issues together, and this has become one – most of the posters are relatively passionate in their opinions and that creates an interesting place to discuss and share thoughts…and you get credit for facilitating all of this. Thanks.

    Reply
  27. petit bonheur
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 3:31 pm

    Dear Fauna,

    Congratulations ! I became a regular visitor of your blog – at least once a day. I think I became addicted.
    Be sure that you don’t give a bad image of China : you give a very vivid and diverse image of your country. You do much more and much better for the image of China in the outside world than CCTV international or CRI!

    Go ahead. I hope to be able to see you at the blogger summit in GZ in November…

    Reply
  28. Kai
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 4:14 pm

    I agree, the $25 bucks is a bit steep for anyone accustomed to the prices in China. That’s what, 167 RMB? I won’t lie, I’ve seen plenty of t-shirts at that price here, with the nice labels being even more expensive, but that’s a lot when you think you can feed yourself on the streets for about 10 kuai a meal. Then again, that’s also like only 2-3 drinks at a decent nightclub/bar here in Shanghai.

    So, this goes back to the whole problem of people wanting things for cheap but sometimes feeling morally reprehensible when they’re made by piecemeal labor, sometimes even child labor, in developing countries. No doubt both American Apparel and RedBubble are getting a cut (I checked, their base price is $19.95 per shirt) but I guess that’s the price for custom t-shirts on demand, and for American Apparel to pay their immigrant labor wages well above minimum wage (while taking sexy pictures of them).

    Problem is, I reckon Fauna doesn’t have the capital to “invest” in a print run of t-shirts made here in China. It’d be cheaper per shirt but Fauna would have to order in bulk…and then pack and ship, all of which is costly, and takes time away from servicing us by being a Chinese-to-English translation minion.

    What to do, what to do…

    @ Rick in China:

    LoL, yeah, that was a joke…but hey, one can dream, right? ;)

    Reply
  29. Magnus
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 4:18 pm

    Love the website. keep it coming. Some of this stuff is too much for me though. Stuff I don’t really want to see and care about. But the real life of China in this website is undeniable and quite fascinating. The translation and photos help so much. This is China in English… raw and unedited.

    Be careful and keep them coming. Love the t-shirts too!

    Reply
  30. pzhang
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 4:48 pm

    hey, i love this website and check it often. I’d definitely get a shirt but it’s just a bit pricey even if though i live in the US. If you set up a paypal account, I would be happy to donate a couple of dollars.

    Reply
  31. Tangos
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 5:00 pm

    Congratulations and looking forward to meeting you at cnbloggercon, happy to know Elliot would like to sponsor you. :)

    For Tee, RedBubble might be more targeted to ppl live in the US, you can also try some local customized Tee sites to sell it in China.

    Reply
  32. janosch
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 6:46 pm

    i feel honoured to see a receipt from an email i sent you ;)
    as i said, your blog is really great and helps to overcome the language barrier a lot!
    some kind of feature request: i think it would be amazing if you provided a link to the original comment in the box with the translated comment so it would be possible to see the chinese and the english version of it. people like me, trying to learn chinese, would be able to learn in a very colloquial way, nothing you will ever see in textbooks.
    i think your english is very good and i would be quite happy if my chinese was like that.
    keep up the good work!

    Reply
  33. MarkAChan
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 7:01 pm

    Hi,

    Guess all the posts above say it all.

    Keep up the good work.

    Will get a few shirts!

    Reply
  34. DKwan
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 7:05 pm

    I had no idea you’re Chinese. Your English is perfect. This website is perfect. I love it! I will order a shirt soon.

    Reply
  35. Fauna
    Friday, October 10, 2008 at 11:17 pm

    Hi everyone,

    Thank you for your nice words and many emails. If you would like to make a donation, I will be very thankful and promise to continue doing a good job with chinaSMACK. Please read my update above for a link to donate to chinaSMACK with PayPal.

    Reply
  36. Dude
    Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 12:21 am

    Hi. You’re doing a very good job on your blog. I am from Singapore and your blog has indeed granted me insights into China. Anyway, I am not certain what you mean by “I admire Chinese people who can write normal English instead of “translated English” and I hope one day I can also be so proficient.”

    Are you referring to Han Yu Pin Yin?

    In my opinion, I think that your proficiency in the english written form is already quite good. I am not proficient in chinese despite having ten years of basic education on it. Sigh…

    Reply
  37. Diabloer
    Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 1:18 am

    i like your website, very interesting read and persepectives, although most of which are translated.. keep up the good work!!

    Reply
  38. Simon Gray
    Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 3:15 am

    I’ve been visiting this site for about 1 month and it’s been my homepage for just as long. I haven’t found anything like this, most other China blogs are just about travels or language. I must agree with other comments here that the best thing about your posts (apart from the topics you choose) is the fact that you include comments from Chinese bulletin boards.

    Reply
  39. 宝茹
    Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 7:29 am

    For now, I guess, Fauna is enjoying quite a support from donations already. :)

    Collect money then possibly see about looking for business partners.

    Woah! From blogger to businesswoman! Way to go, Fauna!

    Reply
  40. nagamas
    Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 9:09 am

    shao Hua;

    Get a paypal link. I think this is the way to go. Many people (like me) can not afford $25.00 T-Shirt, but would be more tah willing to donate small amounts $5.00 to $10.00, now and then when we can afford it. Your blog has enrich me a lot. I would not say that it has given me pleasure, as this would be an insult to the desparately poor in financial, but rich in spirit and determination of the people in your reports.

    Reply
  41. Siddal
    Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 12:54 pm

    Congratulations on 3 months of blogging!

    I think that you’ve created an important resource here at ChinaSmack. International interest in China is probably sharper now than at any point since 1989 (or maybe ’97). Your site does a great job of pointing out that between the People’s Daily and CNN are the voices of ordinary Chinese people. People who are as smart and as stupid, as prejudiced and as compassionate as anybody else.

    A lot of reporting in the West this Olympic year has portrayed China’s citizens as either a nation of cowed automatons, or a handful of courageous activists. ChinaSmack goes a long way to correcting such simplistic views. Keep it up!

    Oh yes, your English is excellent; your T-Shirts are cool.

    Reply
  42. D.E.
    Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 7:25 pm

    Yesterday i found your blog just surfing the net and clicking some link here and there.
    It is a very interesting and very well done blog.
    I am foreigner living in Shanghai and although i have many chinese friends, sometimes it’s hard for me to get/guess their feelings and thoughts.
    I can speak a little chinese, but sure not enough to follow chinese forums and blogs ;)
    Thank you.

    Reply
  43. ZJ
    Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 11:46 am

    Congratulation guy! I have been following your blog since its early start. Very interesting and impressive content.

    I am a Shanghainese living in Shanghai. And I have been a “KDS TF” for many years…

    Look forward to finding out an opportunity to talk to you further more regarding all these China Internet Culture, Social Media stuff both you and I are interested in.

    Reply
  44. kotsengkuba
    Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 10:28 pm

    hello, i’ve discovered this blog from haohaoreport last month, i think. now i haven’t got any chance to visit the haohaos but still coming back here from time to time.

    anyway, i heard some gossips about the prime minister’s attempt to prove safety of china’s milk by drinking it in public which turns into something else when he wash rushed to the hospital for kidney and abdominal pains.

    do you the translation for that? i believe it has been roaming the bbs now ;-)

    Reply
  45. chemii
    Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 10:45 pm

    Wow…I think ChinaSMack is fast becoming my favourite blog in China. My mandarin is not that great, so it takes me hours to sift through tianya etc trying to figure out what is hot and what’s not. Quite often I end up reading boring stuff and missing the juicy bits! So I love that you’re making it easier for me to access the vast, messy web of china online.

    Reply
  46. William
    Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 12:11 am

    great site, love it.

    anyone get their t’s yet?

    Reply
  47. Ben
    Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 7:29 pm

    Fantastic site – It’s in my hot links. I will send you 10 bucks. Everyone do the same and let’s get him to the conference! Keep it up!

    Reply
  48. 3dfxfover
    Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 11:53 am

    I have been visting the site for 2 months. It is the first time for me to write sth.

    Support you LZ.

    Reply
  49. Kv
    Sunday, October 26, 2008 at 5:12 pm

    Thanks for nice blog!

    I totally understand the reasons and way you are doing these postings here. Not about politics, business, or some higher destiny, but about, “real everyday life in China”! Thats why I like it.

    To see some topics discussed in Chinese BBS:s that are sooo different from my own culture, and on the other hand totally feeling the similarities also in the some posts and their comments that you have translated too! And that is what was your intention with this blog too, so for my own part: I say my deepest thanks to you guys running this site.

    I got interestesd in China-topic blogs after two months in Shanghai this year and this is one nice addition to the bunch of others which are mainly:business and politics. So, once more, welcome addition to the blogosphere! :) Thank you!

    ps. I like the contemporary Chinese lessons you are throwing in in the extra explanations. Those are great part of the blog too, keep those extra-explanations flowing!

    From Finnish reader in Thailand :)

    Reply
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