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Q: How can I make new foreign friends? I'm a Chinese
I found this site occasionally, but many sites were blocked. You know, how difficult it is for a person to climb over a wall. It's hard for me to get to know foreign friends. I'm a Chinese girl living in a city near Guangzhou.
1) you will find foreigners at English Corners. These people will be more open to meeting locals if you meet them for a few times in a neutral setting.
2) don't force yourself on groups of foreigners who are out enjoying themselves - they may not want to interact with local people.
3) don't assume that when a foreigner speaks to you that they are your freind. Friendship can take time to develop.
4) don't make demands such as their phone number, picture etc.
5) be natural - foreigners can tell if someone is looking for 'bragging rights' and not a genuine friendship.
6) be patient.
7) don't ask question after question - people don't like being interrogagted by strangers.
8) don't say "will you be my friend?" - this is what a child will say, not an adult.
9) post on this site, respond to any comment you get on this post. This will show you are a genuine person.
10) LISTEN. Listen to what the foreigner says, and answer them if they ask a question. Very often i have found that Chinese people fail to read though everything in English and focus only on a small part. The same happens when foreigners talk, i have found that Chinese people don't listen when i ask questions or ignore what i might want.
good luck.
biggj123:
I think she is asking where she can find foreigners... like online and in RL. Since most of the sites are blocked in china.
sorrel:
@biggi
this is where a clear question is required.
a) where can i make new foreign friends in X city?
b) where can i make new foreign friends online?
I have found that when Chinese people (or any person) asks vague questions, more questions are required until the meaning is clear, then a clear answer can be given.
point 9 above suggests that the OP interact more on this site, as some of the other points can be valid for online/real life interation.
biggj123:
I honestly think these are just dummy accounts of the mods or something like that. Just to get people answering questions since this answers section is pretty stagnate.
sorrel:
@biggj,
yeah, it is obvious that these are dummy accounts, which along with the rake load of spammers makes this site rather pathetic.
There is something inherently sad about the way Chinese people can't admit and acknowledge the blindigly obvious, and continue to stick their heads in the sand.
Acknowledging there is a problem is the first step to finding a solution, but it seems that Chinese people perceive this as a weakness to be despised rather than a sign of strength of character.
but we all know that this site is going to whimper to a sad demise.
the only question is when.
1) you will find foreigners at English Corners. These people will be more open to meeting locals if you meet them for a few times in a neutral setting.
2) don't force yourself on groups of foreigners who are out enjoying themselves - they may not want to interact with local people.
3) don't assume that when a foreigner speaks to you that they are your freind. Friendship can take time to develop.
4) don't make demands such as their phone number, picture etc.
5) be natural - foreigners can tell if someone is looking for 'bragging rights' and not a genuine friendship.
6) be patient.
7) don't ask question after question - people don't like being interrogagted by strangers.
8) don't say "will you be my friend?" - this is what a child will say, not an adult.
9) post on this site, respond to any comment you get on this post. This will show you are a genuine person.
10) LISTEN. Listen to what the foreigner says, and answer them if they ask a question. Very often i have found that Chinese people fail to read though everything in English and focus only on a small part. The same happens when foreigners talk, i have found that Chinese people don't listen when i ask questions or ignore what i might want.
good luck.
biggj123:
I think she is asking where she can find foreigners... like online and in RL. Since most of the sites are blocked in china.
sorrel:
@biggi
this is where a clear question is required.
a) where can i make new foreign friends in X city?
b) where can i make new foreign friends online?
I have found that when Chinese people (or any person) asks vague questions, more questions are required until the meaning is clear, then a clear answer can be given.
point 9 above suggests that the OP interact more on this site, as some of the other points can be valid for online/real life interation.
biggj123:
I honestly think these are just dummy accounts of the mods or something like that. Just to get people answering questions since this answers section is pretty stagnate.
sorrel:
@biggj,
yeah, it is obvious that these are dummy accounts, which along with the rake load of spammers makes this site rather pathetic.
There is something inherently sad about the way Chinese people can't admit and acknowledge the blindigly obvious, and continue to stick their heads in the sand.
Acknowledging there is a problem is the first step to finding a solution, but it seems that Chinese people perceive this as a weakness to be despised rather than a sign of strength of character.
but we all know that this site is going to whimper to a sad demise.
the only question is when.
