Beijing Behavior Booklet

[TCcookie]

There's an interesting article on BBC news about some kind of pamphlet Beijing has published to let citizens know how best to interact with foreigners.

I was wondering if anyone has actually seen one of these or, better yet, knows if they're online somewhere. I think it would be fun to have a look.

[Yang Rui]

This may be what they're talking about:

http://www.peacefulrise.org/2008/07/18/interact-with-foreigners-olympics-propaganda/

[Luobot]

“Eight Don’t-Asks” When Chatting with Foreign Guests

Don’t ask about income or expenses, don’t ask about age, don’t ask about love life or marriage, don’t ask about health, don’t ask about someone’s home or address, don’t ask about personal experience, don’t ask about religious beliefs or political views, don’t ask what someone does.

That won't leave the Chinese with much to talk about. What's left, the weather?

[889]

My favorite, seen on a Xi'an bus:

"Don't force foreigners to pose for pictures with you."

[muyongshi]

Be enthusiastic in moderation

My favorite... sounds a bit 自相矛盾 no??

[roddy]

I don't think anyone ever actually sees any of these booklets. Some cadres in Beijing decide to write them, they get the papers to do a write-up on them, the foreign press pick up on it for a 'ha ha, look at the silly things the Chinese say' article, and the cadres keep drinking tea . . .

[Long Zhiren]

That won't leave the Chinese with much to talk about. What's left, the weather?

If the United States didn't have sports--almost nothing would be PC for the public to talk about. Only the media and the schools can say things. So who's indoctrinating whom?

[muyongshi]

The enthusiastic one is not actually translated right but it is still just as funny in my mind as the wrong translation...

热情适度

Really didn't know you could be overly 热情, overly helpful but not overly 热情.