Cheap Bud and Fencing in Beijing

I knew I liked The New Yorker's China correspondent, Peter Hessler, but I couldn't quite decide why until the Sept. 15th issue's piece about the Beijing Olympics. From "The Home Team: What the Chinese made of the Olympics" (not posted online):

It was possible to show up at fencing at 10 a.m., spend four and a half bucks, and get a six-pack of Budweiser. But no Chinese person would ever do that.

That's quality writing and journalism, right there. You know why? Because the next bit, the one we are all thinking (though not the one he wrote) is:

Me? I sure as shit would.