Getting used to Beijing

[ksl0588]

Hey guys, can you tell me a background of the culture of people from Beijing, I mean like how daily life is for them. Do they speak like they are mad or something but its just their normal voice tone? Or do they like get mad at you if they don't understand what you are saying because you're a foreigner (even if you look like a chinese but still don't know how to speak mandarin)? Tips are very welcome because its going to be my first time visiting and studying as well in Beijing (BLCU - Sept to Dec semester)

[ifox]

hey, people def don't be mad just by your strange voice or accent.but generally what will they do or say depends on the individuals.most people will be patient and friendly:)so relax.

[greenarcher]

You will get to know all the local customs once you get there. Don't worry too much.

[jmhcali]

I've heard that Chinese ladies don't wear open toed shoes or strappy sandals. Is this true? I was there only in the early spring when it was too cold for cute shoes.

[gougou]

Where do you guys get all your weird shoe knowledge from? Also this is not true.

[ifox]

lol,def not true!

[Yezze]

(even if you look like a chinese but still don't know how to speak mandarin)? Tips are very welcome because its going to be my first time visiting and studying as well in Beijing (BLCU - Sept to Dec semester)

你会讲中文吗？(Nǐ huì jiǎng zhōng wén mǎ?) The part where you ask about not knowing Chinese, although i don't think you are referring to yourself, but still leaves me wondering a bit.

[jbradfor]

(even if you look like a chinese but still don't know how to speak mandarin

Be prepared for people to look down on you because of this.

If you are not, in fact, Chinese, or even better, if you are not Chinese and can speak a different Asian language, by all means tell people this. They will respect you more.

[jmhcali]

Where do you guys get all your weird shoe knowledge from? Also this is not true.

Heh. I got it from hearsay and travel books and some random newspaper articles. Then when I was actually in China I thought it was true because everyone was wearing boots. Except it was really cold, so that made it hard to tell, you know?

[roddy]

I can confirm that wearing open-toed sandals without socks is considered culturally unacceptable in Beijing from November to February. Similarly people will look at you funny if you go out in a padded jacket and ski pants in any month that begins with the letters 'aug'.

[Duncan Leung]

even if you look like a chinese but still don't know how to speak mandarin

Be prepared for people to look down on you because of this.

If you are not, in fact, Chinese, or even better, if you are not Chinese and can speak a different Asian language, by all means tell people this. They will respect you more.

Well, people won't necessarily look down on you per-se, but they'll definitely give you a very confused look. It does, however, help them feel 'more at ease' about this odd situation (of having a Chinese person not being able to speak fluent Chinese) if you speak another dialect: Canto, Hokkien, etc. They'll respond with: "ah"; it's quite amusing =)

[ksl0588]

well, im Filipino but I look chinese because of I guess my parents.. but i speak Hokkien or Fookyen, but not mandarin..

[greenarcher]

So many Filipino-Chinese who can't speak Mandarin. Considering the Philippines is the only country besides Singapore which has primary and secondary schools that teach Mandarin. (As far as I know at least, not sure about Malaysia)