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Q: which questions should chinese avoid asking foreigners??
and which ones should foreigners avoid asking Chinese people?
There are two questions here, rolled into one.
Many foreigners bristle when asked about their age or how much money they make.
Many Chinese bristle when asked questions about sex, or at least some do.
Do you like China?
By far the worst question in my opinion.
-How much do you make?
=You want pretty girl? "Ma sah gee"?
Bag?Watch?DVD?
We should make a starter list of questions that would be interesting and thought provoking for foreigners:
Q: "Do you think Abraham Lincoln would have enjoyed the smooth refreshing flavor of menthol cigarettes?"
Q: "Do dentists in your country go to see other dentists or do they do that work themselves?"
Q: "Does a cross work on a Jewish vampire?"
Q: "I have some English characters tattooed on my back. Can you make sure they're correct?"
Q: "Why isn't there a square planet?"
Q: "Why don't British people sound British when they sing?"
Q: "You know how when you were a kid you were told you could dig a hole to China? We have that same kind of saying here, except we'd end up in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Ever been through there?"
For the Chinese perhaps : what do you think of the laowai?
981977405:
Thank you, no. To each his own post, I believe, as long as we are polite.
Almost anything political....something like what do you think about our president?
"Can you make dumplings?"
"Can you operate a shopping trolley?"
"What age does your mother stop combing you hair and helping you to get dressed?"
foreigner:how old are you?
how much do you make every month?
Do you have girlfriend or boyfriend?
Chinese:how much do you make every month?
GuilinRaf:
The age part I dont get. Usually back home, only women dislike the age question, but I have noticed that in China, a lot of male expats dislike the question too.
For me, it is no big deal admiting that I am in my mid 40's (45 in China, 44 in the USto be exact). But yet, a lot of men here do not like that question either.
Meeting business people "Do you like Chinese girls?" Duh
At girleoke (KTV) "Do you have big dick?" Duh
Girls "You are not married...why are not married yet? I find this hard to believe...I think you are lying....you must be married." argghhh
You want pretty girl? Yes, how much will she pay me?
How much did that cost? $1000
What do you do for work? Criminal.
Why are you not married? Cause I want to be happy.
Do you like Chinese food? I don't know, I never eat it.
How much do you make? $1,000,000
Do you like China? Is that where I am? I fell down a hole and woke up here.
TedDBayer:
I want to practice my English, lets go for tea? I lost count of how many times i heard that in BJ
GuilinRaf:
Overheard in a bar: "I never knew what true happiness was until I married. But now it is too late!"
Do you have a good salary?
Hey! Did you see there were some other foreigners over there! THERE! Look.. Did you see them!?
Don't ask Hugh G Rection about philosophy or racism. He won't be offended but you will - he will spend the next 2 hours giving you his holier-than-thou 'petite prince of PC' proclamations.
(Yet, he won't live in the 'NBA Player' section of London like I did - before it was burnt down).
Don't ask my wife if she is trying to drill her vagina into a giant hole.
"You must make a nice salary?"
"What kind of car do you own?"
"Do you own a villa?"
Most foreigners (outside of NBA players) don't really like to discuss brand name products they own or their salary.
I don't think I've even asked most of my closest friends what they earn. Ever. Nor they me.
"Would you like to come with me to a special tea ceremony at a local restaurant?"
"Is that your girlfriend?" (about the 18 year old niece who I'm paying as a guide and translator).
Are you that tennis player? Yes I am. Here is my autograph! You are welcome!
jknox00:
I actually have no problems with NBA Basketball itself. It's as good a league as any other in its own inherent self,
however,
When I look at the NBA and you see a HIGHLY DISPROPORTIONATE number of NBA players assaulting other players, assaulting a very high number of NHL players and 'Chinese food restaurants'?
When a very large % of NBA players are in jail or even when traveling to other countries find ways to foul other leagues.
When there is a HIGHLY disproportionate number of NBA 'single moms'.
And not a aberrant season but consistently for decade after decade and then NBA players do what? Blame management.
So no, I don't have a problem or dislike for the 'NBA' as a league itself.
But there is something wrong with far far too many NBA players.
One for the western ladies:
"Have you always been so fat?".
Chinese asking foreigners: what is the real difference between a Canadian and an American?
981977405:
The truth is -- not much. Canada generally follows the American line on most things, with a slight nuance here and there, just for the sake of being different. Americans say that the States sneezes and Canada catches a cold -- mind I have just heard this as something said.
mattsm84:
I have never heard that expression. In real terms certain parts of Canada are similar to certain parts of the US. Upper Canada is a great deal like the North Eastern United States, Toronto isn't that different from Chicago, Ontario is a lot like the mid-west, the prairie provinces aren't that different from some of our plain states, with the notable exception of one having a lot of oil, and BC is a lot like the Pacific north west in the US. That said there really isn't a Canadian analog for the American south, or south west, and in the same way that there isn't an American directly analogous to Quebec (thank god.)
I recently came back from my home country and my boss asked me - "Did you kiss your Girl Friend when you were in home country"
"We are all so proud because our great nation has an aircraft carrier. When is your country going to get one and be like us?".
"Do you like China?" Easily the worst, because I have to lie so I don't hurt their feelings.
YES Chinese, STOP asking "Do you want a massage?" or "Do you want sex?" or "Do you have any children?" or "Do you like China?" :(
Foreigners should avoid asking questions like why is the city looking hazy? Answer is pollution.
Chinese should stop asking where do you come from? Some foreigners just don't like telling where they are from.
Why are you come to China? meaning Why did you come to China? It's a rhetoric but monotonous question after i have made my intention clear that i am an English teacher.
How much do you weigh?
Do you want to teach me English?
Is that your natural hair color?
Are you from England or America? (Are there only two countries in the world?)
Do you like rice?
May I come with you?
To be continued.
Can you come to banquet tonight? I know I do not speak for all foreigners as I am sure many love them but for me Chinese banquets with Chinese hosts are painful and anything but relaxing. Far too much emphasis on cultural expectations and cultural etiquette. On the other hand, a meal with friends and/or colleagues is delightful...much more respect for individual choice.
