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Q: How many times a day do you tell people where you are from and do you like the attention?
I always ask them to guess.
Ni cai yi cai ba.
Some give it a shot and once in a while they are right. Makes it more interesting to hear their guesses... plus it opens up their minds and makes them think that MAYBE this guy isn't just from America or England...
I have heard Germany, Canada, America, England, Germany, France, Russia, Australia... and a few others. If I just tell them right away, it is boring.
yongge:
Yes, I do the same, but they never guess right. When I tell them I am South African, they want to know if I am black, even though I obviously look like a European, duh, . But it gives me the gap to give them a brief history lesson as to why there are white South Africans.
I tell people where I'm from and what I do about 2 or 3 times a week. It's mostly when I go somewhere out of my immediate neighborhood or take a taxi somewhere, the shops and restaurants I go to close to home all know who I am and what I do, where I'm from etc. I already answered those questions.
I don't have a problem with the questions, they're reasonable questions, even the one's I don't like talking about like my salary, age etc but I do hate the attention.
joannaq2727:
Yes I think it depends on which city you live in as well.Some people seem like they have never seen a foreigner before(probably havent ).I too don't mind people asking questions being friendly but can get a bit annoying after a while.Like the random shouting hello as you walk down the street from creeps and staring right up in your face and whispering to each other(not paranoia).It's nice sometimes to just blends in and go about your business.
ScotsAlan:
I gave you an "up" Stiggs to negate the down.
I get asked almost every time I get in a taxi, if I am with my wife that is. But they ask my wife not me.
If I am on my own and get a taxi, they don't ask me. Or maybe they do, but I don't know they are asking
Eorthisio:
Yeah, sometimes people ask about my salary too or whether I am married or not, I tell them it's not their business.
joannaq2727:
LOL@Esthorio
Yes that is such a good description.
Like walking down the street naked..
its ok to look for few seconds but staring somebdy out.
..its unnerving
Stiggs:
Cheers for that ScotsAlan 
I really don't give a fork about the down vote but I was sort of curious as to what I said to earn it.
joannaq2727:
lol @stiggs
I have not a forking clue as to why you were voted down
Fork it....dont worry
Stiggs:
Joannaq2727. I agree, it's rude in our culture and I'd rather not talk about these things. It makes me uncomfortable but the thing is, here it's not rude.
The way I see it is, when people ask they're not trying to be offensive, it's what they would ask any stranger. They're just treating us as one of their peers and I really can't take offense to that.
joannaq2727:
@stiggs
Yes suppose there is a big difference between being rude and just being ignorant.
If it's not meant in a harmfull way ,then ok but sometimes I just say that's a personal question and laugh and just move on..
joannaq2727:
@stiggs
Yes suppose there is a big difference between being rude and just being ignorant.
If it's not meant in a harmfull way ,then ok but sometimes I just say that's a personal question and laugh and just move on..
Never, I am tired of answering the same questions over and over. When I first came to China I was ignorant and too nice with people, I took time to answer these questions each and every single time.
Why would I even bother answering their questions? I did it maybe 10000 times already since I came to China, the discussion never goes beyond where are you from, what are you doing in China and do you like China or something Chinese (food, girls, ...).
joannaq2727:
Yes tiring,especially answering the same question's ...,Do you like China? Do you like chinese people?
And creeps that shout hello/hello are the worst.Like please F##K right off.
ScotsAlan:
A Chinese friend asked me today how long my holiday is for CNY. I said two weeks. He said "oh, you get longer holiday than Chinese people".
"Nope dude, I am on a Chinese contract. We all get 2 weeks. The operators get 3 weeks"
But he was confused of course. Because his "official job" holiday is 2 weeks. But because he works on the side trying to undercut his employers he will be working most of the holiday. But in his eyes I am a privilaged foreigner because I get 2 weeks.
Eorthisio:
The "shouting across the street" is the worst, the stares can be annoying too although I don't pay attention to it anymore some people really stare like creeps.
My younger brother plans to visit me in China next summer, he asked me about the staring because I talked about it some day and he remembers. I told him that it's like being naked in public all the time, except that you are wearing nicer clothes than other people around.
joannaq2727:
Hmmmmm Interesting.....
Do you think as a foreigner working in China that there is some tension from the chinese employee's towards their foreign co-worker ?
I always ask them to guess.
Ni cai yi cai ba.
Some give it a shot and once in a while they are right. Makes it more interesting to hear their guesses... plus it opens up their minds and makes them think that MAYBE this guy isn't just from America or England...
I have heard Germany, Canada, America, England, Germany, France, Russia, Australia... and a few others. If I just tell them right away, it is boring.
yongge:
Yes, I do the same, but they never guess right. When I tell them I am South African, they want to know if I am black, even though I obviously look like a European, duh, . But it gives me the gap to give them a brief history lesson as to why there are white South Africans.
Go on the offensive and ask them some questions......the sillier the better.......yes it is uncomfortable at first but it helps to shift the attention away from yourself. You can answer a question with a question if you like here. Like a good actor you need to be aware that you are onstage all of the time here and play your part well. The Chinese certainly do it but in more subtle ways............it is the culture of "face". Play along and enjoy the show. A lot of the crap questions are just small talk because "they" are uncomfortable being around YOU ( big secret). Play it to your advantage. If you are feeling playful, tell them you are Japanese (and then be prepared to run). Or give them a nonsense answer:
我是月球人！ wo shi yueqiu ren "I am a moon person"
Or ignore the question and ask them if they like cheese or basketball.
I can clearly see the new troll accounts. Can you?
royceH:
Yes, I can now. They're not very good at it though. Do they earn much?
My Chinese-rs all know, I come from my mom. 'Everybody does!'
Disclaimer: 'Last sentence is valid till aliens aren't introduced to the general public.'
Now, tell me please 'how can you have 4 Qs for the Board as soon as you wake-up?' Do you have 'special' bed, or is it food-related?
royceH:
She was exposed by Scotsalan last night. Like you, I'm just catching up now.
It's ok, got nothing else to do.
here
