Work permit or working permit? Which one is the correct word? Can you give some examples on how to use that word?

I know of a work permit. From my own experience, I can tell you this short anecdote.

I found myself in Paris back in the late 1960's. (No cracks about my age, please! ) I decided to stay in Paris, learn French as well as I could, and teach English to support myself. That meant I needed a work permit from the government -- which they refused to give me. So that was the end of my being able to support myself legally while in France. I did teach English, but I got paid under the table.

So it's a work permit, Fariq.

Thanks for the advice, Richard. You are awesome..

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No cracks about my age, please!

In the Iranian culture, only women are famous for trying to hide their ages, not men. I know you were just joking here, but I just wondered if the same thing applies to the American culture or it's different.

No, it's actually the same basic cultural phenomenon, Mehrdad. Interesting, eh?

When it comes to age, Chinese people, if asked, tend to tell others about their norminal age - one year older than their actual age. I would consider Michael Jackson was 51 years old when he passed away.

In the past, it wasn't rude for the elderly to ask about a lady's age when they tried to make a friendly conversation with a lady. Nowadays, influenced by Western culture, people try not to ask about women's age directly. But young women are not so sensitive about their age.

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When it comes to age, Chinese people, if asked, tend to tell others about their norminal age - one year older than their actual age. I would consider Michael Jackson was 51 years old when he passed away.

Interesting!

May I ask why they add one year?

It is said that the nine months inside the womb is counted as a year. Babies born in the 12th month in lunar year are considered two years old after they spend their first spring festival.

Senior Chinese people always celebrate their 80th birthday when they are actually 79.

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Babies born in the 12th month in lunar year are considered two years old after they spend their first spring festival.

Really interesting!

May I ask how they are considered two years old...?

Say a baby was born on Jan 25th, which is Chinese New Year's Eve. He/She would be considered two years old the next day, but actually he/she was two days old. We Chinese usually tell others about our nominal age. That's our tradition.

So Bahia Bakari, the sole survivor of the A340 Airbus, is reported in Chinese news to be 14 years old and at the same time they add that she is considered 13 in the west. Quite interesting.

Thanks.

You're welcome, Izzy.

It's fun talking about culture in addition to grammar.