Coping strategies as a newbie in China

[simonlaing]

Hi all,

I was reminicing about my first year in China in the Suzhou New District in 2001. At that time it was hardly built yet, there were still rice and farming plots on the land that had been walled in for future sky scraper apartment buildings. My School had 3 teachers and there were 2 french teacher in our complex and that was it for Foreigners. (This area was far from the University and many of the SIP factories.

Anyway at that time I carried around a Chinese menu with English, Pinyin and Characters. (After awhile I also tried the order everything on the menu in order).

I had lots of key places characters written down. Even with that becasue the suburb was so new I had to often give directions to the Taxi driver Wang zuo guai (Make a left turn) etc..

Another two teachers went everywhere with a chinese English teacher to help them translate and find their way. I felt this took some excitement away from exploring the city and places. (Getting lost is half the fun sometimes you know).

After awhile and knowing a few people, I would use my cell phone and some chinese friends to help with telling the Taxi driver where I wanted to go . But this was usually when I was in a Jam. Lots of people wanted English lessons, so I worried if I called them to much they might expect me to help them.

Often I would meet chinese people, They would be surprised when they would call me and I said I had already made plans. (Since I was their only western friend, some Chinese friends thought they were my only Chinese friend. )

So anyway, I was wondering if other people had used the same strategies, (carrying a menu). And if calling chinese friends felt like an imposition to others or not?

Thanks,

Simon:)

[knight778]

To simon

Firstly, it sounds absurd to u westerner but really it's not a good idea to refuse ur chinese friends' knid invitation simply because u r occupied(whether it's true or not), traditionally they take mutual benefit for granted( u help them with english and they give u a hand on sth), it's better to speak out what u really feel(I totally understand ur dislike of talking to people who can hardly utter a word but still insist on speaking ENGLISH just for practising it, u feel like they treat u as a tool...no offense ), To be frank with them could at least make'em feel better than a frustrated denial.

Secondly, i guess a lot of ur chinese friends r more willing to help a foreigner friends than their compatriot for some reasons, PLEASE do not feel uncomfortable at all:D