Although domestic people don't follow us, they often ask some questions from China people curiously, which is summarized as 10 for domestic readers' reference.
What surprised you the most?
In the west, one of the favorite questions that foreign colleagues, friends or teachers just met is: "What is the most shocking and strange thing for you when you come to our country?" If you want to answer this question honestly, the answer should be: everything here is similar to what I imagined. There is a simple reason. Today's people in China have a comprehensive and accurate understanding of western politics, culture and life through newspapers, television, movies and the Internet. When I was abroad, I really didn't feel the cultural shock except that the language didn't adapt for a while. Many foreign friends are naturally dissatisfied with this answer. Based on their understanding of China, they think that you come from the hinterland on the "yellow land" where red lanterns are still hung high. When I first arrived in our developed world, I must be dizzy and feel a lot!
2. When did Beijing change its name?
When going abroad, foreigners always ask when "Peking" (the usual spelling of "Beijing" in English in the past) was changed to "Beijing" (now the Chinese pinyin of "Beijing" has become an international common spelling). I always answer this question confidently: Beijing is Beijing, and I have never changed my name, but the pinyin method has been changed to China Hanyu Pinyin. But once, a Frenchman who knows a little Chinese went on to ask: Then why do foreign countries often use "China" instead of Chinese spelling? I was speechless for a moment. Yes, China is "China" in English, "Chine" in French (pronounced "Yin Shi"), "Yin Si" in Arabic and "Jin" in Thai, but it's really not called "China" or "Zhonghua" (Chinese). But don't worry, Taiwan Province Province will return to the motherland in the future, and China's foreign name may be China after reunification.
3. Is dog meat delicious?
When I first arrived in Paris, a Frenchman asked, Do you like dog meat? When I first came out of China, I didn't know it was a trap: no matter how I answered, I admitted the fact of eating dog meat, which was exactly what he wanted to achieve. In the eyes of these foreigners, dogs are loyal friends of human beings. How can they tolerate eating and spitting? ? However, it is difficult for me to tell foreigners that although dogs can look after the house, solve crimes and accompany their owners in China, their status is not high and their reputation is not good. For example, when we in China belittle others, we often say "dogs fight against human potential", "running dogs" and "smelly shit". In this cultural background, eating this kind of "dog food" meat is nothing. Of course, don't brag about shark's fin, bear's paw and bird's nest in front of foreigners to avoid being accused of cruelty to animals.
4. How to eat soup with chopsticks?
Many foreigners practice using chopsticks hard. When they arrived at China restaurant, they refused to use knives and forks, saying that they could not eat Chinese food without chopsticks. But there is one thing that many foreigners still don't understand, and that is how to drink soup with chopsticks. I heard a foreigner say smartly that there must be a kind of chopsticks like straws, which are usually eaten with vegetables and sucked in the mouth when drinking soup. I told them that when people in China drink soup, they will put chopsticks aside, or drink it with a spoon or a bowl. Foreigners can't believe it: it's that simple?
5. Which is the last name and which is the first name?
For us in China, it is natural to take the surname first and then the surname. Westerners, on the other hand, should say their first names before their surnames. Therefore, when foreigners meet the names of China people, they often ask: Which is the surname and which is the first name? The answer, of course, is: first name is last name, and last name is first name. Don't look so simple, it's verbose in English, and foreigners are always at a loss. So now many people in China simply reverse their names when they report their names after going abroad.
6. Are you unhappy?
I remember that time when I went to France, French friends met me at Charles de Gaulle airport, bared their teeth and kissed each other. Those exaggerated actions seem like I've never met in my life. Meanwhile, China, a classmate in Paris, came to meet him. Although he was in tears, he just shook hands, but his face was as calm as water. This puzzles foreigners: Are you unhappy? How to explain to foreigners? China people say that "it's a pleasure to have friends from afar", which mainly refers to the pleasure of the mood, rather than the external performance of talking and laughing. Of course, there are always exceptions. A friend of mine in China loves to laugh and has a developed expression. Although she also has black eyes, black hair and yellow skin, foreigners always ask her if she is American or Latin American.
7. Do you have a "relationship"?
The Chinese word "relationship" has become one of the few Chinese words that have entered the western vocabulary. Once I applied for a position in an export company, the personnel director of the company asked me in a mysterious tone: "Is there a' relationship' in China?" In fact, westerners are as concerned about relationships as people in China. An American friend of mine told me that Americans have known "flattery" since primary school, which is similar to Chinese "flattery" and is specially used to please teachers and "improve" course results. On one occasion, a Chinese-American tried to convince me that the "relationship" in China was still different from that in the eyes of Americans. He gave an example: suppose Bill Gates introduced a young man to work in another computer company. If this is an American company, then the American boss will think that the person introduced by Gates must be of good quality and will stay. If this is a China company, the boss in China will think that this is the person introduced by Gates. Wouldn't it be a shame if I didn't hire him?
8. Why is Chinese so difficult?
Many foreigners are interested in China culture and want to learn Chinese. But often after practicing "mom, mom, mom and scolding" for a while, I get a little discouraged: "Why is Chinese so difficult?" Chinese is a bit difficult for westerners, but more deadly, westerners have serious psychological obstacles in learning Chinese. In their vocabulary, the word "China people" is often used to refer to unreasonable things or things that look fresh but have little practical value. There is a saying in English called "China Labyrinth", and anything obscure can be described by this word. In addition, "china box" used to refer to a big box and a string of small boxes of China gadgets, but now it refers to complex things; The word "CHINESECOPY" refers to a method of copying the shortcomings and defects of the original perfectly. I remember there was an exam when I was studying in France. After the papers were handed out, I only heard my French classmate mumble "C'EST DUCHINOIS" ("This is simply from China!" )。
9. Do you know Kung Fu?
Walking on the streets of foreign countries, from time to time, foreigners will suddenly punch and kick you inexplicably and say vaguely: Kung Fu or JackieChang. It turns out that these are some kung fu lovers who want to exchange experiences with China people. Once they talk, their first question is: "Do you know Kung Fu?" In the eyes of many foreigners, China people have been practicing Kung Fu since childhood. Although it may not be like Jackie Chan, it is more than enough to deal with hooligans. I once went to Tanzania in Africa on business and wanted to take a walk in the streets of Dar es Salaam after dinner. Before going out, ask the hotel service staff about the security outside and whether there is any danger. The black man looked at me and said, it's not dangerous to have you around. Because the local people think that everyone in China is good at Kung Fu and can't be taunted.
10. Do you have any cool oil?
It takes a lot of thought to prepare things for going abroad. Besides personal daily necessities, I always want to bring some special souvenirs, which can be used when interacting with foreign friends. For example, Shuang Mianxiu, folding fans, stamps and handkerchiefs are all good choices. In my personal experience, it is best to bring several boxes of cool oil. I don't know why, there is no foreign manufacturer to produce this kind of cool oil, and there seems to be no domestic store to import and sell it. Foreigners generally prefer the taste of mint, and cool oil has the miraculous effect of relieving itching and refreshing, especially favored by friends from developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Many foreigners meet people in China and ask, "Do you have any cool oil?" A friend of mine recently went to a small country in Latin America. When he entered the customs, the border police carefully checked his passport. After confirming that it was from, he suddenly held out his hand and mumbled something, like what supplementary document he wanted: "Cool oil ...". The friend conveniently took out a box of cool oil from his pocket and handed it to him. He entered the customs smoothly and everyone was very happy.