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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: Do you find yourself picking up Chinese habits?
After living in Beijing for three years I just realized that I am starting to use Chinese phrases (ie. "Sorry, but that is not convenient") and tapping the table when someone serves me tea or pours me a drink, and remaining silent when I disagree. I am I the only one?
I do the "cigarette offering" thing often.
Also, when I go to buy cigarettes I just walk to the counter in front of anyone who happens to be lined up, and yell "zigger" as I hold up my empty pack and nonchalantly toss a 10 RMB note on the counter.
Works every time
I've started to push the close door button on my apartment building elevator. Seems kinda weird, but when in Rome........
i now do the following:
fill up people's drinks if they get low
carry tissues in my bag and offer them around at meals and for other things
take my shoes off as soon as i enter someone's home - even with my family
push my way to get on a bus
Scandinavian:
always having napkins is not a habit, it is survival (or at least a requirement to keep a minimum of decency)
filling up drinks - isn't this a universal thing. I know French people who canot stop topping up wine glasses. Tea or wine, same same
Shoes off, well we do that in Scandinavia (although offering slippers is not done as the floor is assumed to be clean and warm)
I've found that I use my hand to shwo numbers in the Chinese way, though I occasionally get 7 & 8 mixed up! I've also found my self using "Aii ya" and "Aii yoh" when surprised by something!
Plus the dorr close button unless someone is coming then i'll still be a gent and hold the door for them.
I have a anti-Chinese habit on the metro though...If I'm getting off and someone tries to push on before I can get out I block them with my hand, look them straight in the face and tell them "deng yi xia". Love the look of surprise I get!
ScotsAlan:
It's not an anti Chinese habit...... It's an anti stupidity habit.
damn, just spat on my screen. we have a huge blimp moving slowly south....
I say "waa" a little too often for my liking. Creepy sound, but it's worked its way into my limited Chinese vocabulary. Maybe it's because of my baby...
Yes, I have added some habits, such as adding 'a' at the end of some words or sentences when I speak Chinese. I use 'push and shove' more often when I get on a bus or metro, whereas some time ago I was being pushed and shoved.
I've realised I'm increasingly using a form of Chinglish in order to help make myself understood. It's laziness. And I've become lazy. That's laziness too.
yep i m really become a miser...
already cry to my inner self if i eat something for 100 rmb
or i am happy if someone invite me for food because i dont have to pay
really really shit