Studying abroad, casual questions can reveal the "cultural differences"

In the past ten years, more and more Chinese citizens have visited developed countries for sightseeing or business activities. After all, we are in a foreign land, so it is reasonable for Chinese citizens to ask questions. However, those seemingly casual remarks revealed a "cultural difference".

Although there are many questions, they can be summed up in the following 10 sentences:

TOP1, Is there boiling water? (This is the most frequently asked question)

When Chinese citizens check into a hotel, the first thing they often do is ask if there is a kettle in the room.

We Chinese like to drink boiled water and hot tea, and almost never drink raw water. In addition to drinking hot coffee, Westerners seem to be willing to drink cold water, and even mineral water must be drunk iced (the same is true for breakfast). In addition, you can drink tap water at home, in hotels, or even on the street by unscrewing the tap without getting upset. You can’t even buy mineral water in supermarkets in some countries such as Germany and Austria. Even if you can find it, it’s breathy and we’re not used to drinking it!

But the problem is, except for one or two For large international hotel chains, almost all foreign hotels do not have kettles. If you check in before 11 p.m., you can still turn on the water at the hotel bar. After this time, nothing will happen.

　TOP2,? Are there any that are not made in China? (This question seems unpatriotic!)

When you go abroad, you always have to buy something to give to your relatives and friends. Unfortunately, Chinese products are everywhere in foreign countries (except meat, eggs, milk and other foods), and even famous brand products are marked MADE IN CHINA. It seems very embarrassing to buy something made in China abroad. With this kind of thinking, two points are ignored: First, the quality of brand products is the same no matter which country they are made in; second, what’s wrong with Made in China? Even if foreigners look down on it, don’t they still use it? How can we ourselves Do you look down on yourself? When "Made in China" becomes popular, there is no need to buy anything when going abroad!

T0P3, "Why are hotels so bad? (This is the easiest to misunderstand)"

Once in a country, what I know the most about developed countries is hotels. But it is this hotel that makes people scratch their heads the most. The rooms are small, the single beds are narrow, and the elevator seems to need to be squeezed in! The breakfast in the hotel is also very simple. There is nothing to eat. Don’t we say that Westerners value enjoyment?

In fact, this is a big misunderstanding. Hotels in developed countries are polarized. Luxury hotels above five stars are few and expensive. Most travelers are working-class people, and their requirements for hotels are cleanliness and comfort, nothing more. In addition, most hotels in developed countries were built before World War II (except Germany), and their standards are inherently low. Most hotels in China were built in the past 20 to 30 years in accordance with the latest international standards. Foreign four-star hotels are not as good as Chinese three-star hotels, and foreign three-star hotels are not as good as Chinese guest houses!

TOP4,? Will we be discriminated against? (This should not happen)

This kind of question mark usually appears in the breakfast area of ??the hotel, the dining standards are different, the seating arrangements on trains and airplanes, etc.

We cannot say that there is no discrimination in developed countries, but it is just very difficult to find. If you are discriminated against abroad, this is a good thing. As long as the evidence is conclusive, you can not only win the case, but also win huge compensation! As for the breakfasts for individual guests and groups in some hotels are different, etc., that is a matter of hotel management and group fee standards, so don’t make a fuss about it! Buy trains and When checking in for a flight, if you have any seat requirements, you can usually get them fulfilled (as long as you are good at foreign languages). On the contrary, if you take the perspective of "class struggle" and add "upgrading the program to the line", you will make a joke.

A tourist group collectively went to our embassy abroad to protest: They were arranged by the travel agency to sit in the same carriage as black people, which made the embassy staff dumbfounded!

　TOP5,? Is it true or false?

Such problems may be common in China, but they are unnecessary in developed countries. There are also fakes in Europe and the United States, but they are mainly found on street stalls. The fake goods are mainly sold by stowaways, and the ones sold are mainly Chinese goods. Western economic police are far less capable than Chinese urban management. They appear unsteadily, and the counterfeit sellers take their time and run away, and the counterfeit goods are banned again and again. As for stores that sell branded products, it is impossible to have fakes.

TOP6, can you bargain on the price? (This is our habit)

Many foreign bosses are very stupid and often cannot understand this sentence!

From the perspective of integrity, a fixed price is a sign of credibility. The store treats customers equally, is it true? If no one bargains on price, it will solve all these problems!

What’s funny is that now many shops near foreign tourist attractions have been Chinese citizens have been trained to have a sense of bargaining and can now bargain. You can give it a try, but it should be done in moderation. Don’t force people to spread their hands and say: Sorry, I’m eating!

TOP7,? Does the park require tickets?

This is probably not the case I understand the concept of a park.

Isn’t a park a public park, or a public garden? Since the garden belongs to everyone, why do they charge admission tickets? Since the park is free for foreigners or locals, of course it is It's free for foreigners. What else should we do? Set up a customs office at the entrance of the park to check passports? In addition, that is also discriminatory against foreigners. There are no fees for this mountainous national park and that lakeside national park (including churches) abroad (except for a few exceptions).

TOP8, What should I do if I get sick? (This is the least to worry about)

What should I do if I get sick? See a doctor! What should I do if I spend money to see a doctor? Euros and US dollars are very expensive. !Come on, this question still comes down to the word "money".

In fact, if you know that it was the developed countries that first proposed the word "humanitarian", this problem will not be a problem. In the event of a sudden onset of illness or accident, just one phone call and an ambulance will arrive and treatment is required. You will be discharged as soon as you are discharged from the hospital, no one will stop you (if you have insurance, just fill out the insurance form).

A foreign officer working in India made a big joke. I went to the hospital to see the doctor and asked where to pay? The medical staff said: No need to pay! Our foreigner? (Chinese people are foreigners abroad) said: But I am Chinese! The other party laughed: What about the Chinese? Well, people on earth can get medical treatment for free here! Fortunately, the conversation ends here. This is India, which is poorer than China, let alone developed countries.

　TOP9,? Do I need to pay a deposit? (I have asked this question when checking in at the hotel)

After getting the room card at the hotel, Chinese citizens often ask this question. The hotel receptionist could only answer by shaking his head or spreading his hands. If a hotel charges a deposit, wouldn't it mean that the guest will not pay the bill or compensate for damaged items?

Of course, there are also some hotels in some countries that are a bit stingy and charge money when checking in, but the amount is not very high. It's just the room fee (or leave your credit card number), but they will never charge anything called a deposit, because they give you their trust first to show their respect for you.

TOP10,? This is our leader, can you take care of it? (The same question is: Do we also need to wait in line?)

The minds of foreigners are not aware of such problems. The reaction was very slow, and the more explanations, the more troublesome it became! When they figured it out after a lot of effort, they still shook their heads or spread their hands, and looked confused.

Fortunately, such problems are becoming less and less common!