The place to ask China-related questions!
Beijing Shanghai Guangzhou Shenzhen Chengdu Xi'an Hangzhou Qingdao Dalian Suzhou Nanjing More Cities>>

Categories

Close
Welcome to eChinacities Answers! Please or register if you wish to join conversations or ask questions relating to life in China. For help, click here.
X

Verify email

Your verification code has been sent to:

Didn`t receive your code? Resend code

By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .

Sign up with Google Sign up with Facebook
Sign up with Email Already have an account? .
Posts: 209

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Q: Do you say hello/acknowledge other foreigners when you walk past each other?

Where I am (Hangzhou) there's quite a few foreigners but the kind of number that would make you see some everyday. Whenever I walk past one I feel there's this mixed feeling of "I won't say hi. Why should I? Just because he's another foreigner?" and "should I? shouldn't I?" And more often than not when we actually make eye contact there's that awkward feeling that makes both parties instantly look away. 

11 years 1 week ago in  General  - China

 
Answers (15)
Comments (9)
Posts: 194

Shifu

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

No I don't, unless it's someone cute who I want to chat up. Otherwise, why bother? I really don't want to initiate a pointless conversation with a complete stranger and we all know how that conversation goes: How long have you been here, what are you doing here etc.

Report Abuse
11 years 1 week ago
 
Posts: 544

Shifu

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

I give a "Hello" and a smile, like I do with everyone who looks moderately interesting. The only time I don't is if the dude is 50s, unkempt, and looks angry at life. I live in a tier 4, so I see another (non-Korean or Japanese) foreigner once a week or so.

Report Abuse
11 years 1 week ago
 
Posts: 10

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

LOL, I think alot of expats feel the same way.  When I first arrived in Shanghai I thought other foreigners would be a bit more friendly and speak, but it turns out thats not the case.  If eye contact is made or if I'm in a small space, like an elevator, I'll speak; But I wont go out of my way.  To be honest I tend to speak to black people more so than others cause theres not that many of us.  Well thats my two cents.

Report Abuse
11 years 1 week ago
 
Posts: 1989

Peasant

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

To steal a line from mArtiAn that I enjoyed: I generally spit at their feet and hoof them casually in the crotch.

 

 

...Maybe if we're all at a bar, but in passing, no not really.

 

mArtiAn:

  Dude.......I was just about to use that one again myself.

11 years 1 week ago
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
11 years 1 week ago
 
Posts: 68

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

I usually smile or say hi about 75% of the time. Some people just give off terrible vibes and I generally pick up on that and just glance away before we've made too much eye contact lol.

sorrel:

I smile, and if the other foreigner smiles back, it is usually because they are also working there and understand. The tourists tend to scowl back, if at all.

10 years 37 weeks ago
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
11 years 1 week ago
 
Posts: 1718

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

No, why would I?  Just because we're abroad doesn't mean we're in some special club or that I know them.  If someone says hello to me then I'd return the gesture, I'm not a jerk. But I agree, I think there is a weird tension between foreigners when they bump into each other here. If someone is speaking with a northern English accent I might ask where they're from though.

SoFresh:

I agree with the weird tension. I've notice myself and other foreigners always tend to make quick/weird/akward eye contact.  I guess it'se because we stand out and we both know we stand out.  But yeah it would be weird to talk to them cause you don't know them....hence the whole situation just becomes kinda weird lol

11 years 1 week ago
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
11 years 1 week ago
 
Posts: 9631

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

No, but I generally try to smile to everyone I pass on the street. (of course not on BCDs where I do my best in looking angry)

Report Abuse
11 years 1 week ago
 
Posts: 2494

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

This is weird because as you all know didn't you always learn not to talk to strangers? So why would I and what is the point? If you say 'Hi' at least have a conversation with the person. 

Report Abuse
11 years 1 week ago

There are cookies, bookies and too many rookies for me to sit here trying to be a hooky! Looky Looky don't call me a wooky. Touchy Touchy Feely Feely Spicy Spicy Nicey Nicey & that's what the doctor Ordered!!

 
Posts: 223

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Nope, only time I ever talk to strangers is if it's a social setting like a bar or restaurant where it's pretty normal to talk to random people.

 

I do notice though that I tend to stare at foreigners or "notice" them a lot more.  I feel China has given me that bad habbit.

Report Abuse
11 years 1 week ago
 
Posts: 2763

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

I ask them "What the f*** are YOU doing here?"

No one ever responds.

Report Abuse
11 years 1 week ago
 
Posts: 4935

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

What's with all the crazy foreigners who come here and refuse to acknowledge my greatness?

 

I always say hello and acknowledge them. If they refuse to acknowledge me, then I trip them and yell in Chinese, "This foreigner cursed China, loves Japan, and stole everyone's woman. HE EVEN DRIVES A TOYOTA!!!!" That usually ends with them getting rage-stomped against the street light poles.

 

Teach them to ignore me.

Nancy24:

LOL !!!Usually i am more of an observer ..but i tend to follow up your comments..you make me laugh most of the time.:-)

10 years 51 weeks ago
Report Abuse

Hulk:

<3

10 years 51 weeks ago
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
11 years 1 week ago
 
Posts: 67

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

When I'm with my girlfriend she's all "Oh my, there's a foreigner, won't you say hi to him/her?" as if we are a rare animal...

Back in my home country I don't say "Hello" to every single person that happens to walk by... so why should I do it here? Is there any kind of secret cult that I'm unaware of?

 

Of course if someone talks to me I will answer... no need to be rude now, do we?

Report Abuse
10 years 51 weeks ago
 
Posts: 70

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

I only say hi to those who are staring at me.

Report Abuse
10 years 51 weeks ago
 
Posts: 4

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

I thought foreigners would be friendlier to each other here, but after being here for 5 years, I've given up.  Most foreigners are so introverted and neurotic that they can't conceive that a stranger should be acknowledged in any way.  I always smile or laugh when I see a foreigner, they're just so damn funny that way!  Rarely one will actually pull his or her head out of their smart phone and mumble some sort of greeting, as though I'll beat the living shit out of them if they actually showed any kind of kindness or friendliness.  It's pretty much the same as in the U.S., where people pretty much hate everyone else that don't share the same DNA or body fluids.  The fact that I'm almost 60 years old makes it doubly frightening, I'm sure.  What kind of madman would actually be in China at age 60??????

Report Abuse
10 years 50 weeks ago
 
Posts: 9192

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

I usually pull out my sword and yell ''there can be only one''

Xpat.John:

That is until another foreigner is found buried in a mountain someplace.  There there can only be 1 again.

10 years 50 weeks ago
Report Abuse

HugAPanda:

LOL youre an ass 

10 years 50 weeks ago
Report Abuse

TedDBayer:

and it's a nice ass

10 years 50 weeks ago
Report Abuse

TedDBayer:

Theres alot of mountains to put graves on in China.

10 years 50 weeks ago
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
10 years 50 weeks ago
 
Know the answer ?
Please or register to post answer.

Report Abuse

Security Code: * Enter the text diplayed in the box below
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <img> <br> <p> <u>
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Textual smileys will be replaced with graphical ones.

More information about formatting options

Forward Question

Answer of the DayMORE >>
A:  "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "S
A: "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "Shenzhen agent can connect you with an employer, who's authorized to hire waigouren ... and can sponsor Z visa." It's not like every 10th person you meet in Shenzhen's hood can sponsor work visa ...  The only way to change from student to labourer visa is just a regular way by: 1. Finding an employer, who'll apply for an Invitation letter; 2. Exit China and apply for Z visa in your home country's Chinese embassy; 3. Enter China in 30-days after Z visa was stamped into your travelling instrument ...As I am aware, you won't be able to switch to Working permit by remaining in China....,so make ready for a return to your home .... -- icnif77