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Q: Ever witnessed other foreigners hilariously fail at ordering food?
No joke, the restaurant I was in yesterday had a table of 4 expats. The guy in charge of the ordering literally flapped his arms in the air to ask if it was chicken, then mooed. I was trying not to burst out laughing two tables away, and they were dead serious about their miming, until it came to pig. They let out an embarrassed laugh or two, then naturally proceeded to oinking. Anyways, after a lot more miming, snorting and another fuwuyuan coming in to help out, they got their order across.
And no, I didn't help. I don't turn my back to a good show.
seen foreigners ordering sprite here and it is a difficult one to pronounce I admit but most of the time they are saying wet pussy to the clerk or waitress which cracks me up
This is why I allow my GF to do the ordering at restaurants. I was sick and tired of getting something else. And avoids embarrassing myself too.
But sometimes I do, and it is very frustrating to order a black double espresso and end up getting an iced milk tea.
And yes, I have seen foreigners making animal sounds to indicate what they want. Quite ridiculous in my opinion.
I used to work in restaurants back home. Every race of people who don't speak the native language reduce themselves to this at some point or another; it's actually quite endearing if you're the waiter.
My own best was in Italy, got entirely lost and asked - in one sentence and four languages- for two beers. After the barmaid just looked at me abject hilarity I was reduced to pointing.
Ach Tung, you might have forgot that some foreigners are not here long term, sent by their companies for a limited amount of time, they shouldn't have to have any knowledge of the language for they travel quite frequently to places around the world. I do believe I would have helped. A show, really? As funny as it may have seemed, remember next time to give a helping hand, you never know, you could be in trouble one day and a foreigner like yourself might come along and just enjoy the show
My bf speak excellent Chinese, he never had any problems ordering food.
If you Ach Tung can speak Chinese, that was the time to render a hand to another foreigner & your gesture would have been greatly appreciated. When I was only a few weeks old in China I once went to a restaurant, alone. Some 3 tables from mine sat a Nigerian with his Chinese friends. I was holding the menu in my hands, the waitress waiting with her pen & paper. The Nigerian guy did not wait until I made some funny noise and gestures - he just walked to my table and asked me what I wanted to eat & ordered the food for me. He knew neither where I was from nor my name. He must have only felt 'obliged' to help a fellow foreigner. This is how things are supposed to be. And while it sounds entertaining to see such funny gestures by others trying to order food or get any service, it's not funny when u just stand aside enjoying the drama without helping, if u can. Not judging u, but u failed as a human if u can speak Chinese & did nothing about the situation.
GuilinRaf:
Indeed. I just cannot stand seeing anyone humiliate himself or herself, especially if I can help.
I agree with the fact that you were extremely insensitive and well, basically a tool for having a laugh at that situation. Really? This is how you get your kicks. You would have felt much better by helping those guys. Next time consider what you would want if the roles were reversed in another situation.
(Actually I am not even sure if what you wrote is even true)
