Share this postRealTime MandarinFailed system, lazy officialsCopy linkFacebookEmailNotesMoreRealTime Mandarin+ PodcastFailed system, lazy officials0:00Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -21:22-21:22Paid episodeThe full episode is only available to paid subscribers of RealTime MandarinSubscribe to listenFailed system, lazy officialsA migrant worker in Beijing is let down by the systemAndrew MethvenJan 29, 2022∙ Paid1Share this postRealTime MandarinFailed system, lazy officialsCopy linkFacebookEmailNotesMore3ShareRice (饭 fàn) or grain (粮 liáng) in Chinese can be metaphors for income, work, a job, money or public funds. The phrases, ‘eating the public rice bowl’ (吃公家饭 chī gōngjiā fàn) and ‘eating public grain…This post is for paid subscribersSubscribeAlready a paid subscriber? Sign inRealTime Mandarin+ PodcastThe RealTime Mandarin+ podcast helps you maintain and improve your Mandarin skills, and stay on top of the latest Chinese language trends. The RealTime Mandarin+ podcast helps you maintain and improve your Mandarin skills, and stay on top of the latest Chinese language trends. SubscribeListen onSubstack AppRSS FeedAppears in episodeAndrew MethvenRecent EpisodesMeituan “group take-out” boom signals shifting consumer habitsNov 30 • Andrew MethvenBlack Friday Sale: $100 off RTM Pro Nov 29 • Andrew MethvenLi Ziqi returns to the spotlight Nov 23 • Andrew MethvenTens of thousands of students go on a 50km night ride in pursuit of dumplings and freedomNov 16 • Andrew MethvenInside the everyday life of a tech company workerNov 9 • Andrew MethvenLarge-scale Halloween celebrations cancelled in ShanghaiNov 2 • Andrew MethvenPrivate school scandal: rotten meat in student mealsOct 26 • Andrew MethvenLocal shopping mall builds national consumer brand but decides to stay small Oct 19