Chinese culture question

[gimlipig]

Last week I tutored a Chinese girl in english. She brought a small gift for me that she had made herself. I was quite taken back by it because it isn't really a thing that americans do, plus I wasn't totally sure of what it was. I thanked her for it but a bit awkardly because I was so thrown off.

At one point, about 15-20 minutes into conversation she leans back and says "ok you can go" out of the blue. I don't know if this was because I offended her or if it was because she didn't know how to say that I could go in the proper english way. When I offered to meet some other time, I'm not sure if she said yes or no. She mentioned something about us both probably being busy and something else about just emailing.

Can anyone help me make sense of how to interpret this? If we meet again should I bring her a gift? What?

[mind_wander]

How I see it as an ABC perspective, she might want to say I understand what you taught me, Thank you. I think I am alright now, you can go now. Think that is what she meant, as long there is that niche Asians needs in then, after that they don't need that help. hey you never know, if there is another question.

[Lu]

"ok you can go": I think she just didn't know a more polite expression in English.

We'll be very busy, I'll email you: As to my experience, this means you'll never see her again (unless you contact her, in which case she might make an appointment, cancel at the last minute and, again, never contact you again). I might be wrong, she might actually email, but don't count too much on it.

I can't be of much help with the gift thing, many Chinese and also Japanese do this. I (European) am not used to it, and so I usually don't have a gift in return. Hasn't hindered me in making friends though, so I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. Or maybe you can bring something small, like cookies or sth, next time you meet (if you meet again).