As a Chinese-looking person, it’s rare to “meet someone” while traveling when you are in a group. For “foreigners”, the assumption is that Chinese people don’t speak English. Well, but there was this time that someone in Israel tried to “talk” to me! I was shocked!☺️
And actually, this Israeli guy spoke to me in Chinese
“Are you from China?”
I replied, “Umm. Taiwan.” And then I was waiting for his reply. Was he going to ask me about one-China policy? Taiwan’s independence? China’s one-child policy? 🤨
But hold on, his next question was…
“How do you say Jacob in Chinese?”
He asked the oddest question in Chinese. Was I supposed to know who Jacob was?🤔 I never expected to come across such question. But gladly, as a Bible-reading Christian, I do know how to say Jacob in Mandarin, both in Taiwanese version and Chinese version.
Then he said..
“How is my Chinese?”
All the conversation above was done in Chinese, so I actually thought he did a good job. And it reminds me that I used to think of ways to start conversations in MRT with foreigners in Taiwan. I didn’t mind that he wanted to practice Chinese with me, even though I had to watch how I pronounce certain words. (Taiwanese’ mandarin accent is softer than Chinese accent)
The big China dream. I knew that.
But what’s interesting to me was that he learned Chinese through some app on his phone!! And I think he didn’t learn more lessons so our conversation switched to English.
And yup! That was pretty much the story! No juice! 🤣
I have no idea why he had to ask those questions though. Was it even that important？😅
But I did learn something. The IDF soldier’s heavy bags. Every time I see them traveling, they carry big bags. I mean why? Isn’t it just a weekend home? Do they really need that much stuff for one weekend?
And noooooo.
“It’s their dirty clothes inside”
“Why do they need to take their dirty clothes home? Why can’t they do laundry in the army?”
“Because there’s no laundry facility in the army….”
And I was shocked because in Taiwan boys serve military for 1 year (now it’s reduced to 4 months). And you aren’t allowed to take army clothes out of a post, or to carry a weapon. I knew this was the difference, but it never came to my mind that while these IDF soldiers carry honor with them all the time, they have to carry dirty clothes back home too.
Well, let’s just say it isn’t easy to be an Israeli soldier!
Bonus：How to Start a Conversation with an Asian?
Well well… the chances are, people who travel all know some English. Just try! You never know unless you talk to them personally. Don’t judge.
Start with a question that seems unobtrusive. For example, ask us for directions, or things involve with numbers. Asians love to help.
It’s a good idea to avoid saying things like “Are you from Korea?” Because it doesn’t matter that much unless you speak Korean right? And the following statement could be, “Oh you are from Taiwan? I’ve been to Thailand.”
Even though you might think it is the same region, but for us…. umm we don’t know how to respond to this type of ‘statement’. So yes, be direct if you want to ask something. Be as straightforward as you can!
Anyways, if you don’t know what to talk about, always talk about food. These things fascinate all Asians, even though we do look skinny. Seriously!
