F2F Class Notes (Nemo)[R]

Vocabulary

on the tip of your tongue-about to be said if you can remember it:
E.g.: I know her – her name is on the tip of my tongue, but it won’t come to me.

expat (n):expatriate1-someone who does not live in their own country:
E.g.: A large community of expatriates has settled there.

deal (n): 1-a good, or lower than usual, price:

a good/excellent, etc. deal I got a good deal on my new phone contract.
a deal on sth The hotel also offers deals on the hire of bicycles.

rip-off (n): 1-something that is not worth what you pay for it:
E.g.: $300 for that shirt? – That’s a complete rip-off.
E.g.: Don’t eat in the museum restaurant – it’s a rip-off.

rip-off prices

rip sb off (v): to cheat someone by making them pay too much money for something:
E.g.: Bob’s tickets cost much less than ours – I think we’ve been ripped off.

hit on sb (v): 1-to show someone that you are sexually attracted to them:
E.g.: Some guy hit on me while I was standing at the bar.

hang out (v): 1-to spend a lot of time in a place or with someone:
E.g.: You still hang out at the pool hall?
E.g. :Hey, wanna hang out?
E.g.: Who is he hanging out with these days?

Pronunciation

genuine-[ˈdʒɛnjuɪn]

https://www.echinacities.com/expat-life/6-Things-for-Chinese-People-to-Avoid-When-Making-Friends-with-Foreigners

1. Don’t ask if you can be friends
This kind of directness when applied to friendship seems weird to foreigners and is too much of an initial commitment before we get to know you. That kind of candor can scare the laowai away, as friendship to us is not something that you vocally agree on, but rather something that is built over time.

2. Don’t ask if you can practice your English with us
This kind of transactional-like approach can simply make your target feel like they’re being used. Remember that foreigners in China can make good money giving simple conversation classes, so most will see no benefit in chatting with you simply so you can improve your English. Ask if they want to have a coffee or a drink sometime instead. You’ll still get to practice your English, but you might make a genuine friend, too!

3. Don’t ask us about money
While it’s very common to talk about money in China, this is a big no-no in Western cultures. We feel quite uncomfortable when asked about our salaries or how much we paid for something, unless we got an amazing deal, of course. To most of us, our salaries and how much rent we pay are private matters, so we will either refuse to answer or lie, probably quoting a lower figure. It’s embarrassing for us if a Chinese person thinks we’re overpaid, rich or being ripped off.

4. Don’t tell girls they’re beautiful when you first meet them
While this is obviously a compliment, most foreign girls will find it a bit odd/creepy if you tell them they’re beautiful straight away. They’ll assume you’re coming onto them (or just weird/being false) and will therefore be unwilling to pursue a friendship with you.

5. Don’t call or text too much
Send a text to your foreign friends only when you have something to say. Texting 20 times a day just to say “hi” can seem invasive, as we usually only text to make plans or if we’re sharing a story or some news. Texts like “What’s up?” are usually used to see if the person is available to hang out. If the laowai replies, “not much, you?”, do not reply, “nothing”. The laowai will become confused (and maybe annoyed) about why you text in the first place.

6. Don’t say “I miss you” too soon
In addition, most foreigners don’t feel comfortable with messages from people they hardly know that say, “I miss you”. This is a phrase usually reserved for our closest friends and relatives. Saying it to someone we met once in a coffee shop is not commonplace.

I hope these simple tips will help clear up some of the cultural differences and language barriers that arise when Chinese people are seeking to make friends with foreigners. Good luck and don’t be a stranger!