As a tourist to the city of Beijing in China, it’s extremely significant that you refresh your knowledge with few tips on how to behave on the streets of Beijing.
1. If you are to make friend with a stranger in Beijing, it’s important to deliver gifts, when invited to his home. Sweets or tea pack are among the best choices.
2. Never indulge in drawing conversation on topics, which the people around you are not interested on.
3. You may get bothered, if someone spits right in front of you. However, the Chinese view it differently, just ignore it completely, and move along. The spits should not be taken seriously in Beijing.
What you shouldn’t do in China?
It’s important that you keep track of things you shouldn’t do during your stay in Beijing.
1. Don’t buy clock as a gift for someone. Clock symbolizes going to a funeral in Chinese tradition, and your gift might embarrass your host.
2. Don’t give pear as gift either. Presenting a pear eventually means getting apart.
3. Black or white colors symbolizes someone is dead in Beijing.
4. Don’t talk or use the number 4 in the Chinese capital. Your Beijing friends won’t find it amusing. Chinese are very superstitious about the number 4, and they avoid and considered a bad omen.
5. While attending a marriage party in Beijing, buy a red envelop and stuff some money inside to offer it as a gift to the married couple.
6. It’s common for people to exchange business cards, when they meet as strangers. Though, it’s not mandatory.
7. Don’t get involved, or pop up a question about politics, especially with strangers. Politicians are regarded highly in China, even in cities such as Beijing. People in China never like to criticize their politicians.
Useful Oral Chinese
The Chinese language is known as one of the most difficult languages and it is not easy for a foreign student to conquer it. To let you know, every syllable in Chinese is associated with one of five distinct tones. The following lists are some of the most common daily life expression note of Chinese; you can just print out the sheet to have basic communication with your Chinese friend.
Greetings
Hello nǐhǎo 你好
Goodbye zàijiàn 再见
Thank you xièxie 谢谢
You're welcome bú yòng xiè 不用谢
Pleased to meet you hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ 很高兴认识你
Excuse me / I'm sorry duìbúqì 对不起
Excuse me (I have a question) qĭngwèn 请问
Enquiring
Where? zài nǎli? 在哪里?
When? shénme shíhou? 什么时候?
Who? shéi? 谁?
Why? wèishénme? 为什么?
How do I get there? qù nàli zenme zou? 去那里怎么走?
Where is [a place]? …Zài nǎli? …在哪里?
…bathroom …xíshǒujiān ...洗手间
…long distance bus station …chángtúqìchēzhàn …长途汽车站
…the subway …dìtiě …地铁
…police station …pàichūsuǒ …派出所
…the exit …chūkǒu …出口
Solving Problems
I can't understand wǒ tīng bù dǒng 我听不懂
Can you speak English? nǐ huì shuō yīngwén ma? 你会说英文吗?
Who can speak English? shéi huì shuō yīngwén? 谁会说英文?
Please write it down qǐng xiě xià lái 请写下来
Please help me qǐng bāng wǒ 请帮我
Help me! jiùmìng! 救命!
