Do you learn the local language

[harvyk]

That's interesting to note. In the large Chinese cities (especially mainland China), depending on how often you were being pestered by such people, there is little need for pleasantries, unless you were actually going to engage them in business (by then which you have established a connection, so then pleasantries are introduced). It is not much different to people in Australia walking down the street and being approached by various people with promotional flyers, appeals to subscribe to be a charitable donor, donate to a cause or join a health club. Many such people rarely get a "no thank you" from the general public, in favour of either just "no", a hand up and a shake of the head, or simply the person quickly moving on.

In markets e.g. in Hong Kong and Singapore where you could be accosted by a merchant after walking away from a deal which you simply could not find a way to close on agreeable terms, you need to show very little if any politeness as you walk away resolutely, otherwise it is a sign of weakness and you're likely to continue to be accosted. Again, if you're actually "in business", then we have engagement and thus on different terms, e.g. the concepts of face, guan xi and so on become important.

As a side point, if in Germany and being accosted by a beggar, saying "no, thank you" in German (viz. "nein, danke") will give you away as a kind foreigner and result in further begging. You really just have to walk away or firmly say, "Leave me alone!"

I kind of got the feeling that it was as much the fact that I was simply responding to them in Mandarin which made them feel I was not going to be an easy mark. The words I said where pretty much irrelevant (unless those words where "yes, I'd love to see what you are offering"). It was only a couple of them (out of easily 100 in my week in Shanghai) that didn't get the hint the first time around where I needed to resort to "bu".

That said, I did learn that sometimes saying yes in such market places can be a really great way to connect with the locals, and perhaps one of the most memorable parts of my trip was spending an hour in a tea shop after I was invited to try some (no it wasn't a scam, I was however a little careful before going in). I spent a good hour talking with owner of the tea shop, trying the various different types of tea, and listening to an explanation about each. It worked out well for her since I did end up buying a couple of bags to take back home. It's just the "real genuine rolox's" which got tiresome.

 

[drron]

Many years ago I could understand Japanese.The Chinese have very similar numbers.We were in Singapore at a jewellers.Mrsdrron was looking at a ring and being quoted $700.The fellow had gone to the phone prior to giving her a price.When I said but on the phone you said $250 you should have seen the look of horror.Needless to say mrsdrron got her ring at substantially less than $700.
So it does pay to know a language even if just accidentally.

 

[Anna]

In France, that's not hard at all for a female. You only have to be good looking. *starts running*

Tu peux courir mais tu ne peux pas te cacher

I have 1378 lingots, want to buy some?

I like to learn a few words before I go, such as please and thankyou. It is amazing how much better you are treated if you make the effort.

Interestingly there is no word for please in Swedish. They use different ways of asking politely from how we do it in English.

 

[bryanjones]

Are you near Vaud?

 

[anat0l]

Are you near Vaud?

Lausanne, to be precise.

 

[bryanjones]

Lausanne, to be precise.

Likewise! Nice to know another AFF is living in paradise

 

[anat0l]

Likewise! Nice to know another AFF is living in paradise

Well it's different - I'll grant that (and not "different" in the negative sense). A little cold at the moment but I'll take 40 degrees F (or thereabouts) over degrees C right now!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Hotel concierge would be your best bet

So true, my problem in Kaohsiung was getting the taxi driver to actually get me from the airport to the bloody hotel (which is not easy to miss, I think it was/is the biggest hotel in Kaohsiung, The Splendour or Sky Tower as it's now called. The only way I could get him to understand was I happened to have the booking printout which had a black and white photo of it and it's got a fairly distinctive rocket shape. He was right from that point, but he had absolutely no English and I had absolutely no Mandarin.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Anyone who travels to China without knowing Mandarin is a brave soul indeed!

We spent 5 days in Shanghai in 2005 with 2 kids and managed fine We picked up words as we went along and smiled a lot and found people very friendly and helpful. We did have a few challenges - trying to buy clothes in a department store before we worked out the system of going to pay for it and then coming back and collecting the goods. I also lost Mr FM and master FM - had left them outside while Miss FM and I shopped and they vanished. Turned out they had been taken off by some art students from Beijing who had tried out their English on them and then taken them off to see their work....

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Turned out they had been taken off by some art students from Beijing who had tried out their English on them and then taken them off to see their work....

As one does...I can understand that. Art or waiting for women shopping......I'd choose art everyday of the week.

 

[Cynicor]

As one does...I can understand that. Art or waiting for women shopping......I'd choose art everyday of the week.

Oh, I thought it was one of those scams?

 

[Flying mermaid]

Oh, I thought it was one of those scams?

No they were genuine (maybe!)- one of the girls was rather taken with Master FM I think and gave him her email address. They exchanged emails for awhile. There is a scam where art students approach people and sell highly priced fake stuff. They didn't buy anything but had fun talking to them.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Only sellers need to learn a language I've always been a buyer.

I know few languages but have always communicated well. There is a subtle difference.

 

[harvyk]

No they were genuine (maybe!)- one of the girls was rather taken with Master FM I think and gave him her email address. They exchanged emails for awhile. There is a scam where art students approach people and sell highly priced fake stuff. They didn't buy anything but had fun talking to them.

There is a scam out there as well where the traveler is taken to a tea house / bar, and everyone orders drinks whilst "practicing English". Just before the bill comes the scammers will run off, the tea house / bar owner will then give you the bill which they will then demand payment on before you can leave (either by threatening to call the police / with a really big bouncer for encouragement). The worst versions of this scam the bill will be heavily inflated (eg a couple of cups of tea = AUD $1000).

As a general rule, if someone you don't know invites you to speak English, and you go anywhere where food / drink can be ordered, make sure that nothing is ordered on a tab / everything is prepaid upfront, otherwise you can easily see your holiday spending money disappear.

 

[Flying mermaid]

There is a scam out there as well where the traveler is taken to a tea house / bar, and everyone orders drinks whilst "practicing English". Just before the bill comes the scammers will run off, the tea house / bar owner will then give you the bill which they will then demand payment on before you can leave (either by threatening to call the police / with a really big bouncer for encouragement). The worst versions of this scam the bill will be heavily inflated (eg a couple of cups of tea = AUD $1000).

As a general rule, if someone you don't know invites you to speak English, and you go anywhere where food / drink can be ordered, make sure that nothing is ordered on a tab / everything is prepaid upfront, otherwise you can easily see your holiday spending money disappear.

Yes I have heard about that one as well - strategy is to call the police apparently and they fold, but better still not to go. These things are very prevalent in Thailand as well, with the police usually in on it.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Oh, I thought it was one of those scams?

You're only scammed if you buy!

 

[dajop]

Oh, I thought it was one of those scams?

In Beijing these sort of things seem to be fairly commonplace, art students/people wanting to practice English(!). What I now do is always respond to the question "Where are you from" with Singapore, instead of Australia. Being caucasian, this usually throws them. In fact last time, when I said that the lady answered "Oh, so you've been to Beijing many times?", I said "yes", and she promptly disappeared. Take same sort of approach when being hassled by various "sellers" in SE Asia, and works just as well.

Back on topic, always try to learn the niceties (thank you, hello, goodbye, please, ) plus some key food items. Easy in most languages, but I do find some languages can be more difficult (Korean comes to mind).

 

[artemis]

Would say I'm in exactly the same boat as vetrade above, plus I'll always learn exactly how to order a large beer in the local language.

As my father says, the most important phrases to learn in any language:

"two beers please"

"my friend will pay"

 

[harvyk]

As my father says, the most important phrases to learn in any language:

"two beers please"

"my friend will pay"

Well I've got the first one down pat in Cantonese , the second one not so much

 

[trentusjuventus]

Be prepared to struggle in Taipei. I know I did.

I can see how this can happen JohnK

Although English is relatively "widely spoken" in Taipei, the definition of proficiency doesn't necessarily mean the ability to carry on a regular conversation. Sure, in Taipei you will never be far from someone who can speak at least a few words, and people will generally go out of their way to find someone who speaks English to help you, but in many smaller stores or areas with a lot of older people you might get into a bit of trouble. My advice is to speak slowly and use simple terms and phrases, kind of like the way you would to a five year-old. I still see quite regularly tourists trying to talk to the locals here like they would to their friends back home, you just need to remember that most of the people here learned English from a textbook, so they probably only know one way to ask or answer in many situations. But don't be put off, as always a smile and patience goes a long way here.

As my father says, the most important phrases to learn in any language:

"two beers please"

"my friend will pay"

Mandarin:

2 beers please - wǒ yào liǎng bēi pí jiǔ
My friend will pay - wǒ péng yóu yào bāng wǒ jié zhàng