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Viewpoints
Wednesday, 12 August 2009

Suzie WongLet’s get one thing clear. For everyone chasing the old Suzie Wong let me just tell you straight. The old Suzie Wong don’t live here anymore. She hasn’t lived around these parts for a long time. She left a long time ago in her tatty red sedan and her satin Cinderella slippers. Prince Charming came to rescue her and they lived happily ever after. They took down their bamboo shutters and headed out down the old Silk Road trailing their pots and pans behind them. The End.

At least that’s how the story goes. However if you carried on reading right to the end you would have reached the epilogue. And then you would have realised that there was a sequel to the story; a sequel where a new heroine emerges, one who changed out of her cheongsam a long time ago, ditching her Chinese slippers for Kenneth Cole heels and swapping her white powder-puff for a rosy-tinted blusher from Bobby Brown.

Ladies and gentlemen – meet the new Twenty First Century Suzy Wong, Eastern Girl in a Western World and her plans to Take Over the World.

And this is where I come in – because I’m the new Suzie Wong; a Chinese girl born in a western world; a girl who loves to watch Sex and the City as much as she does reading Buddhist scriptures, composing classical love poetry or cooking a Sunday Roast.

I’m the new Suzie Wong, bringing my own kind of eastern chic to the city, and quite simply my rules are that there are no rules. I was born on this Emerald Isle and grew up in a small town; I’ve travelled the world from the Americas to Asia and have found that I fit right into the hustle and bustle of London.

The old China still lives somewhere in a remote past but the new China lives in my blood. I can go out and party with the Eurotrash crowd, watch an arty movie at the Curzon, go for a gossip and dimsum with friends or chat to my father about Buddhist philosophy. The old Suzie would never have survived in this day and age. Which is just as well 'cos there’s a new girl in town.

So for anyone coming round knocking on my door and expecting to see the old has-been Suzie I’ll tell you all to wake up and smell the fragrant jasmine tea. This little oriental beauty is not going to wait demurely for her Prince Charming or Fairy Godmother. Life my dears, pays out what you put in it (give or take a few Joker cards but that I suppose is the thrill of it all and even they throw me every now and then).

But first let me introduce you to your new resident columnist. You may be acquainted with the film Being John Malkovich. Well here is an insight into the head of Little Miss Suzie Wong.

Suzie Wong does not:

  • Believe in boundaries or rules. She does not believe in moderation or self- suppression or yes and no/black and white situations, because life is too complicated to fit into small little boxes.
  • Listen or behave to stereotype. The old Suzie died a long time ago. May her soul rest in peace whilst mine rips up the rulebook.
  • Smile and agree with everything you say and hope that the world will be nice to her if she just keeps her head down and doesn’t offend anybody.
  • Live in the kitchen picking up after her man and make him breakfast lunch and dinner (and if she does it’s because she wants to and not because it’s expected of her).
  • Behave or act like anyone you know. You may think you know Suzie but you don’t. That’s because she doesn’t even know herself. But she’s having a lot of fun finding out along the way.
    Suzie Wong does
  • Have an opinion and isn’t afraid to let you know about it
  • Like to tell it to you straight but always in a gracious and sweet manner.
  • Believe in acting like a lady and can take anything you hurl at her because she knows she is secretly made of reinforced steel and can deal with it.
  • Knows that in today’s climate, coming from one cultural background whilst living in another is absolutely de rigueur and to be anything else well it’s simply old-fashioned darling.

The best of both worlds? I’d like to think so. Welcome to my world, the world of Twenty-First Century Girl – the new Suzie Wong.

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pensggs - New? It is old hat, darling. Posted 14:29 on 12 August 2009
The new Susie Wong or Rosie Tan disappeared ages ago during the 'Flower Power' Days of the 1970's.

The musky and western image of Susie Wong or Rosie Tan, has 'Gone with the Wind of Change'

The new world for this new age. Easy, darling, the path has been paved for you.

You live in a kinder and more open world. The 'battle' has been over a long time ago.

The old 'Susie Wong' has been buried decades ago. The new 'Susie Wong' is as old as two decades ago.

Anyway, why are we using a 'branding' that is given to a ancient western man's image of the enslaved eastern woman.

If you are going to create a new 'image' of a eastern girl in the western world, this is a impossibility.

If you are born and bred in the western world, you are a 'banana'. Your skin covering is just that, a skin covering.

So, darling, start a new topic, not old hat.
jing140986 - new? old hat? Posted 6:47 on 13 August 2009
No matter what our roots are still chinese
pensggs wrote:
The new Susie Wong or Rosie Tan disappeared ages ago during the 'Flower Power' Days of the 1970's.

The musky and western image of Susie Wong or Rosie Tan, has 'Gone with the Wind of Change'

The new world for this new age. Easy, darling, the path has been paved for you.

You live in a kinder and more open world. The 'battle' has been over a long time ago.

The old 'Susie Wong' has been buried decades ago. The new 'Susie Wong' is as old as two decades ago.

Anyway, why are we using a 'branding' that is given to a ancient western man's image of the enslaved eastern woman.

If you are going to create a new 'image' of a eastern girl in the western world, this is a impossibility.

If you are born and bred in the western world, you are a 'banana'. Your skin covering is just that, a skin covering.

So, darling, start a new topic, not hot hat.


I disagree, if we are born and bred in the western, we cannot deny our hertiage.

We are not a banana in which being chinese is just a cover.

The image eastern girl in the western world will always be a fusion of both worlds.

The balance may not always right, we may feel conflicted but as long as we are proud that we are not only english but also chinese
pensggs - Image perception Posted 10:54 on 13 August 2009
Once upon a time, the father of one of my friend won a photographic competition. The image was the same person, two images. One of the person themselves, the other of the same person in the mirror.

Now try this test. Stand in front of a full length mirror, and then asked several others to stand all around you. Then asked these people what they saw. That is only the exterior image.

Now for the inner self. That comprised of your upbringing, your environmental influence, your educational influence and your personality, as well as your life's experience to date. We are all a fusion of all these.

Each decade brings its own challenges for both sexes. Social and political policies of countries in the east and west brought about behaviourial changes in its citizens. Family influence implanted the 'survival skill sets' to meet these social, political and environmental challenges. In the psychic of the 'Eastern woman/girl in the Western World', the image of Susie Wong is as old as that of my great grandmother.

So let's not use a romanticised image of a western man, drunk with the power of the influence of the west in an eastern world.

Today's woman, whether east or west, is their own person. The strength to be your own person comes from within yourself. When you have the strength to be your own person, the 'middle ware' to interface both cultures, translates very easily.

So let's not use an old image to update a new image. Lets start anew.
flowerpower Posted 14:59 on 13 August 2009
hmm i think think someone sounds like a bitter old man who hates the west...what about eastern oppression...ever think about that? the chinese enslaved their own people and destroyed their own culture so go and dine on that

anyway i think this column sounds cool. live in the now people!
5daytiger - Nothing new? Posted 15:40 on 13 August 2009
Of course there are old ideas that resurface from time to time, but there is always room to create something unique and new from old parts.
The stars have been mixing a few types of elements together for aeons to make an infinite number of planets, gasses and stellar objects in an unending display of sui generis. Yet, no one ever concludes that their creations are old, tired or merely a repeat of old ideas or patterns.
Every new mix is as valid as every old concept or theme. Suzie Wong is indeed a new mix, an evolutionary adaptation to this changing world, as unique and wonderful as any one of us.
Attacking the ingredients of a cake does not negate that it is a cake.
Graceland - Suzie Posted 23:06 on 13 August 2009
Suzie Wong is a genius. In fact I'd go as far as saying she is my hero... Doing one for the Eastern girl living in a Western World. From now on I will hold my head up high. I refuse to hide.
pensggs - Image Posted 11:10 on 14 August 2009
The old Susie Wong was a prostitute driven by poverty to sell sex to the cash rich and bored British and American migrants in Hong Kong.

This is not the image that Chinese of the female sex wanted to be associated with.

The other extreme was depicted by Pearl S. Buck in the 'Good Earth'

This is not the image that Chinese fo the female sex wanted to be associated with either.

However, there continues to be men, both successful and unsuccessful man, who prefers to go for these two extremes of Chinese womanhood. The reason possibly is because most man cannot handle any equal relationship with the opposite sex.

As 'flowerpower' pointed out, the Chinese of the old, enslaved their womenfolk during the olden days. So did the West, during the olden days. And if 'flowerpower' is Chinese in ethnicity, he would properly experienced this in the days of his grandmother and today's China poor of the female sex. The 'human meat trade' is still alive and kicking. Just look at the 'Second Wives District or Street' on the border of China to Hong Kong.

As a female of Chinese origin working in the west, the image of Susie Wong was used to 'harass' me in the working world of the western man, when they feel threatened.

As a female of Chinese origin conducting my business in a man orientated world, I come across many 'Susie Wongs' of Thai, Phillipine, and Chinese descents; kow-towing to gross old pot bellied man, who used these 'Susie Wongs' to prim up their non existent self image.

So let's not revamp the old Susie Wong with the new Susie Wong. Let us start with a new story.

Start the new introduction like 'Susan Cheung' did.

I am 'Wong Mei Ling'. I am born and bred in the West. I am off the West and I am of the East. Be prepared to throw your perception of your image of the East or the West out of the window. I do not conform to the East or the West. I am here to challenge all your preconceptions and assumptions.

I am me, 'Wong Mei Ling'.
Banana Girl in the West - Hey Suzie! Posted 20:36 on 14 August 2009
I love your article Suzie Wong!

It's great having a fresh perspective on life, with your upbeat attitude.
The new oriental woman, who doesn't have to conform to the rules, and who knows how to have fun!

Out with the old steroetypes.
Sweet, savvy and stylish!

Looking forward to hearing from you more Suzie!


Banana Girl living in the West
flowerpower Posted 11:25 on 14 August 2009
Jesus Christ if you feel that strongly why dont you start your own column..and i dont think you read the column properly..didnt Suzie Wong say she wasnt any of the things above?????I think that was the whole point of the column to subvert people's stereotypes..der..
lile - suzie wong is turned on its he Posted 16:37 on 14 August 2009
Pensggs, I think the author is using Suzie Wong purposely to show that today's woman is no longer the old woman but still Chinese. Suzie Wong was two things: 1) chinese 2) a woman. The new Suzie Wong is still very Chinese but not very submissive and all the other negative stereotypes that go with the character. Hence, i think it's a very powerful image, referring to the past but completely turning it on its head.
chinaman - suzie wong Posted 11:41 on 15 August 2009
The same suzie wong who made life so difficult for all Asian americans male and female through the late 20th century? The same Suzie Wong who after the book ended birthed a few ungrateful self-hating sprogs? The same Suzie Wong who is now an aging dragon lady yearning for glamours past? The same suzie wong for whom chineseness = oppression, all Asians = Toishan/Hakka/Sze-Yap Punti values from the 1920s and has been on a jihad to rise above it ever since Ms Tan made her millions?

Nah I'm just playing, good luck on the new column sister. Looking forward to it! Always can do with another Asian feminist voice :)
Babel Posted 20:22 on 17 August 2009
good for trying, my critical point is that by creating fictional personnas sometimes it trivialises real issues. Apologies but it is as convincing as someone imposing their PC version of Charlie Chan that it can get rid of all its connotations of the past just by making a list of what has not been. As for light hearted Mickey Mouse discussion than I m ok with that. But about more hardcore serious race issues concerning othering, exoticism etc of today, then different story.
AMW's fan - Suzie Wong Posted 11:21 on 18 August 2009
Perhaps Suzie Wong should consider using ANNA MAY WONG's name instead. Anna May Wong had, in my view, achieved much more than Suzie Wong.

See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWk4go15fZI&feature=related .
amw fan Posted 22:16 on 18 August 2009
Anna May has most of the tragic story elements abandoned parents to live the hard life of a struggling actress, brutal husband, in a world full of discrimination, sounds familiar? Anyway I think she an underestimated classy fashion icon.
icon v. fiction Posted 12:24 on 19 August 2009
An icon is of past actions, in the past, of different times, in different environmental spheres, with different social expections, of different upbringing requiring a different set of survival skills. At least she was real and did achieve a milestone in her times. So hats off to Anna May Wong.

Susie Wong? a figment of an western man's romanticised version of a Chinese prostitute. No comparison.
About Anna Posted 22:03 on 20 August 2009
i was about to make the same point as above (icon v fiction) Suzie wong is created by a white man's imagination with a particular fantasy that still prevails in film culture. i spare you readers the Phd thesis written about the oriental gaze in popular culture.
about AMW she also wrote many essays about chinese identity during the pre-chinese exclusion/non-inter racial marriage laws in the US, which I love to read, I expect many of her thoughts about identity remain as relevant as they are today. she was also patriotic in that she supported China during the Japanese invasion. I don't believe she was married off-screen there was speculation about her sexuality. She was a head of her time and a great chinese lady.
ANO amw's fan - Anna May Wong (1905-1961) Posted 11:37 on 21 August 2009
I am glad Anna May Wong's name is mentioned in this column. Anna was a real person and Suzie Wong was not. I would have thought that Anna would be a better choice as "role model" here rather than Suzie Wong !

Thanks to Chinatown Arts Space ( www.chinatownartsspace.com ), which will present 'Piccadilly Revisited' on 12th September 2009 as part of The Mayor's Thames Festival 2009. 'Piccadilly Revisited' is a film and music performance inspired by the life and loves of Hollywoods's first Chinese-American film star, Anna May Wong, and the classic British silent movie 'Piccadilly' (1929), in which AMW palyed a starring role.

The achievements of Anna May Wong are well documented now. Since 2005, the centenary year of Anna's birth, more information about Anna have been written. May the name of Anna May Wong lives forever.
pensggs - Anna May Wong - Rest in peace Posted 11:44 on 22 August 2009
It is good that Anna May Wong has a place in history. Personality like hers deserved a place in the social psychi of humanity. Bravery and 'guts' to believe in oneself against all odds are the skill sets necessary to advance the values of humanity, fought by people past to give us the rights we enjoyed today. These personality traits are equally as valid today as yesteryears.

However, she was of the past. She is no longer here to champion our rights and spearhead our progress.

I agree with Babel, using frictional personnas undermine soul destroying issues like racism, sexism, exoticism, feminist issues, etc.

Today's world has been made 'smaller' by communiction technologies. The differences between English born, Australia born, Europeon born, African born, Indian born, Far Eastern born, or China born are disappearing fast. The values we have are not only driven by our family values but also by our material and educational expectations. Therefore, today's Chinese woman is no Susie Wongs nor 'Good Earth' ( the long suffering victim of society, family, devoid of any self expectations - My grandmother's generation with their bound feet )

Today, the Chinese born females whatever their place of birth has the world at their feet. Their progress and attainment can be as far reaching as any Anna May Wongs of the past, or as exotic as any frictional desires of the past. The bondage of the past has been taken away as surely as 'bound feet'.

I look forward to the new 'Wong Mei Ling'; an independent Chinese woman, not bounded by the West nor the East, beautiful, real and alive.
bea Posted 21:50 on 24 August 2009
I endorse most of the last 7-8 comments the new Wong Mei-Ling of today is no way the writer of this article, because it totally ignores the things that are important to chinese being in 2009. In short it s classic false consciousness. It sounds like one of those delusional American self-help books that preach gung ho positivity, and devoid the issues that matter about chinese identity; culture, politics and history. Hope this not too acerbic because I care about by chinese friends.
Nancy Kwan Posted 21:11 on 27 August 2009
My few Wanchai Street cents worth, I can't think of any chinese person thats likes to be labelled as Suzie Wong other than this misguided writer. Every single chinese female I asked found it offensive. Unless for satire or a witty conceptual game to expose hidden prejudices, but you need brains to pull that off.
chinaman Posted 11:03 on 1 September 2009
nevermind the choice of names, where's these fortnightly articles of which you speak?
pensggs - Dimsum - hijack possible Posted 15:16 on 2 September 2009
The above purported to be from me, is a hijack.

Look's like Dimsum allowed previous mail or submission to be hijacked with my identity being used.

This is most unprofessional. Whoever posted this is acting in the most unprofessional manner and possibly have access to the administration password to be able to carry out this hijack.

Besides being unethical, this is very dangerous. Suggest the editor or controller should answer this with a good explanation.

The integrity of this site is being compromise by the people you have allowed to have the administrative password.

So posters beware.
pensggs - Hijack of Posting identity Posted 15:48 on 2 September 2009
The original posting was dated 12th August 2009 not 2nd September 2009.

Whoever changed the date of this posting and made it looked as if it is a posting from me dated 2nd September 2009 is a danger to Dimsum.

Whoevsr did this manipulation of has abused the trust given to them
pensggs - Hijack of Posting identity Posted 23:09 on 2 September 2009
Whoever changed the date of this posting and made it looked as if it is a posting from me dated 2nd September 2009 is a danger to Dimsum.

Whoevsr did this manipulation of has abused the trust given to them
loulabelle - "HIJACK" Posted 23:13 on 2 September 2009
Pensggs:

As you can see, I've just copied and pasted your name, subject heading and comment onto the wall... I don't have your password, and anyone can do the same to mine. R u sayin that Dimsum have hijacked your account just to repost one article? I think there might have been either: a technical blip OR someone, for some sad and unknown reason, has reposted your comment for no particular reason.

But I think you can leave the secret service out of it for now! Ha.
loulabelle - hijack - Thanks Posted 0:48 on 3 September 2009
The secret service not needed. However, this has pinpoint a control weakness within the site.
pensggs - loulabelle Posted 0:52 on 3 September 2009
Now explain how someone can remove the original posting on 12th August 2009 and change the date from 12th August 2009 to 2nd September 2009.

I have just done the same trick as you but I could not have removed the 12th August 2009 posting and re-date the posting to 2nd September 2009.

I await Dimsum's editor's explanation.
Luke - Simple explanation Posted 2:27 on 4 September 2009
Hi pensggs

I'm one of the site admins, and one of the things I do is moderate the comments - removing spam and inappropriate content such as overtly racist or abusive posts.

I read your comment and saw that you had immediately followed it up with another comment saying that you had accidentally typed "hot hat" instead of "old hat". I therefore corrected your original comment for you. However, in doing so, it seems our commenting system updated the post time of the comment to the time I made that minor correction.

I can go into the database and restore the original post date for you. Many apologies for any misunderstanding or concerns this will have raised for you. Feel free to contact me further on luke AT dimsum DOT co DOT uk.
flowerpower Posted 1:03 on 3 September 2009
Somebody call the Chinese Embassy doublequick!...
pensggs - Out of context Posted 1:32 on 3 September 2009
flowerpower

Out of context, flowerpower. Chinese Embassy has no power over BBCs.

In the wrong place, at the wrong time, postings can be manipulated and taken 'out of context'.

The removal of the original posting from its place on 12th August 2009 to the new posting place of 2nd of September 2009 compromised the integrity of my posting and put it 'out of context'.

Using the wrong organisation like the Chinese Embassy in UK issues, is similarly 'out of context'.
Anon - Re-posting Posted 10:00 on 3 September 2009
Yes, we need to know from Dimsum's Admin why the original posting of Pensggs was re-posted ?
loulabelle - pensggs Posted 11:05 on 3 September 2009
clearly flowerpower was JOKING. get a sense of humour, it's SO no that serious!!!

so what if the dimsum peeps moved your article to a different date?! It's hardly breaking the enigma code is it?!

it is a bit weird that it has been re-posted, but it would only be even slightly bad if it had been re-posted under a different name. it must be some sort of technical problem. but i don't think there has been an "abuse of trust"... haha!!!
flowerpower Posted 13:39 on 3 September 2009
I think the next article should be called Do Asians lack a sense of humour
pensggs - Next article Posted 15:37 on 3 September 2009
Another suggestion.

'Do Chinese not know about Honesty, Honour and Integrity?

Place any comment or any postings'out of contect'; then MISCHIEF is being created.

When pen and paper is used, any changes in any accounts or legal documents would have to have an AUDIT trail. The reason is to protect the origin and intention of the original input.

The same should be applied to computer documents.

Do I detect an uncommon relationship amongst the greatest defenders of the CULPrit.

Removing my original posting from its original position and changing the date of the posting has mischievous connotations and intended to cauce mischief. Changing the date and reposting is not without implications.

And loulabelle, CLEARLY I AM JOKING TOO.
Do you not have an 'English sense of Honour or Humour'.

Whether it is English or Chinese, personal and organisation credibility is the same.

Unless being Chinese gives use special rights to act unprofessionally and without integrity.

Der!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (An inhuman source - previously used?)
sklee - Next article Posted 18:42 on 3 September 2009
It will be interesting to read what Dimsum Admin has to say ??? Surely, Pensggs deserves an explanation here.
loulabelle - questionable sense of humour Posted 19:55 on 3 September 2009
sorry pensggs, where was your sense of humour demonstrated there? i must have missed it - a sure sign of a funny person...

but yeah, i'd like to hear what dimsum say. if only to shut pensggs up!!!
kellyfair Posted 21:12 on 3 September 2009
If this article is a manifesto for what I suppose a half-baked modern chinese feminism, it still has a long way to go. It s too afraid to tackle the race issues head-on. That where other ethnic groups had made more progress at least in high brow discourse. Its never going to be easy, chinese people are still too silent and evasive like our parents it manifests and rationalises itself in different ways, saying its OK to be called Suzie Wong when it is not is like self harm to the Chinese community. The distractions are also interesting, and makes me sad because the truth hurts.
Rose - The New Suzy Wong Posted 23:49 on 3 September 2009
I like Suzie Wong because it's light hearted and fun, with a positive attitude to chinese integration in the west. She embodies change and engages in modern culture.

I agree in that there are things which need to be changed in the chinese culture. For too long, we have been held submissive, and we need to break out of that, and hold our heads up high and be proud of who we are. Firstly we need to recognise it, and then secondly want to change, and believe that it can happen. If not, we would be stuck in lethargy.

Martin Luther King had a 'DREAM' and that's where it conceptually begins and translates in reality. I agree that there are race issues and we, as chinese people, have had to work harder to overcome barriers.

However, the chinese spirit is such that should not concede defeat; and we should look at the merits of Suzie Wong.

As we live in the west, there are good things we can take from this culture; it would be narrow minded not to, especially as we are living in this society. However, we can still retain the virtues of Chinese culture.

Many of my friends and I do this, take the best from the west and the east, and we believe in keeping an open mind.
It would be wrong to alienate ourselves from today's society; young people want to also have fun and enjoy life!
PENSGGS - Another name, Another Identity Posted 0:33 on 4 September 2009
Rose by any other name will still be a rose.

Besides my posting of 12th August 2009 removed from its original position to that of 2nd September 2009. Did any posters interested in the integrity of your posting also noticed that the original reply to the posting was also conveniently removed.

Now I know that misrepresentation of your postings can so conveniently be interfered with.

Now I await for the cyber bullies to continue to attack someone who dared to question their power of misrepresentation.

No use writing about the modern updated Susie Wong, when Susie Wong of today, cannot handle the opposite view and act without honour to suppress any other views except those convenient to herself.

As posted by Kellyfair, no decent living Chinese of the female sex would like to have 'Susie Wong' - a well known fictious prostitute as their role model, whether it is new or old or updated.

So Rose, loulabelle, flowerpower, etc and by whatever new name is chosen, the carcass continues to stink, if when a deceptive covering had been used.

Technical errors problem do not make a relevant reply to my 12th August 2009 posting conveniently disappeared. Technical problems do not conveniently re-position my original 12th August posting to a new position by changing the date.

This speaks a person with ten years experience in major corporations tracing problems of accountability and integrity of financial and administrative systems.

So, new Susie Wong or a 'Rose' by any other name, act with honour. You are caught out. Best way is to apologise and grow up.
Luke - Simple explanation Posted 2:33 on 4 September 2009
Repeating response above, as it has moved back up to the top following the reinstation of your comment posting date:

Hi pensggs

I'm one of the site admins, and one of the things I do is moderate the comments - removing spam and inappropriate content such as overtly racist or abusive posts.

I read your comment and saw that you had immediately followed it up with another comment saying that you had accidentally typed "hot hat" instead of "old hat". I therefore corrected your original comment for you. However, in doing so, it seems our commenting system updated the post time of the comment to the time I made that minor correction.

I can go into the database and restore the original post date for you. Many apologies for any misunderstanding or concerns this will have raised for you. Feel free to contact me further on luke AT dimsum DOT co DOT uk.
pensggs - Time to move on Posted 9:50 on 4 September 2009
Having spent a great part of my working life, protecting the integrity of systems and organisations, I am well aware of control problems, whereby 'conflict of interest' can occur.

Dimsum site is only as credible and as strong as its weakest member.

When a contributor of a subject area is also an administrator or a management team member, the power to manipulate postings from third party to achieve one's 'objective' is often too tempting.

I read your explanation. What it does not explain is the simultaneoursly removal of the viewpoint's contributor answer as well.

I cannot accept your explanation as 'true' because my knowledge of hehaviour of systems and processes, informs me that it is a 'bleep' of the human brain and inability to take the opposite view.

However, I do appreciate your ability to control any errant members can be limited because of the inherent 'weak control areas' which is needed to allow open and honest debate.

I, also, appreciate the fact that my comments had triggered off actions from you and Sarah Yeh, to protect Dimsum.

Finally, it is time to move on.

As Susie Wong proposed in her present article, to be a effective, happy, honest, open, self respecting Chinese person in a Western world, one needs the ability to stand courageously upon 'one's own soapbox'.

And Xueping, do come back. The voilin needed to be played so that we can enjoy its screeching. Sorry, just joking.
loulabelle Posted 11:27 on 4 September 2009
hahahahahahahahahaha oh. my. god. how FUNNY. so basically, pensggs, after blaming the dimsum people for DESTROYING the INTEGRITY of the site, for MANIPULATING the CONTEXT of your post and for OPPRESSING the VOICE of BBCs everywhere, it turns out it was one guy correcting a simple mistake! flowerpower and i were simply telling you to calm down, put things into perspective, and don't automatically assume the worst in people. you have a very high opinion of yourself, and you take yourself far too seriously. it's not that big a deal, it's just a community website!!!
pensggs - loulabelle Posted 16:32 on 4 September 2009
Sorry, Xueping, don't bother to play your violin here.

There is an empty can making a lot of noise here, so intense in being a 'lulu- bell'; so defensive as grab on the most flimsy of 'thread' to justify themselves.

No wonder a fictious prostitute with the name of Susie Wong, invented by the West is so much loved by a class of Chinese airheads. There are often too many airheads willing to prostitue themselves in the West to justify their exitence.

Loulabelle or lulu-bell or flowerpower or a 'Rose' by any other name , continue to stir the stink. You are doing yourself a disfavour for your 'mate' or 'pseudo self'.

'Just a community website' so it is alright to litter this site with the product of the posterior of these airheads; to stink out the congregation of Chinese having Dimsum.
666 - Suzie Wong and her friends Posted 1:29 on 5 September 2009
I expect Xue-Ping's violin will not play happily in an atmosphere of repression and bullying. She is ever sensitive to unkindness.

I cannot understand why Suzie Wong and her supporters indulge in such unkind and even hysterical behaviour. All sensible writers know that the last thing you do is to attack your readers. If you do your career tends to be very short. It also seems to me a great abuse of privilege for a writer granted the freedom to express themselves to then attack and ridicule those that comment on their article. The very purpose of public writing is to invite comment and debate. It is not sensible to expect to publish articles intended to be controversial and then complain when negative comment is attracted. It is part of the territory and if you cannot take it then you are wasting your time and your editor’s time and patience.

The original Susie Wong had many faults but she was always gracious and kind hearted.

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Luke - A defense of Suzie Wong Posted 7:15 on 5 September 2009
Please see http://www.dimsum.co.uk/forum/noticeboard/topic-2844.html#11497 which I hope will be the definitive resolution of pensggs concerns. She has raised them publicly, so it seems appropriate to respond to them publicly as well.

This is especially important as the reputation of our contributor, Suzie Wong, has been called into question. This is unfortunate as she had no part in the technical issues with the comments on this article.

I personally think that it is great that her articles have created such an interesting debate, and I'm sure she feels the same way. I'm also sure that she is perfectly capable of accepting responses from people who don't agree with her in a mature and responsible way.
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