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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: What are the things you can't do in China being a foreigner?
Can we make the ultimate list of the things you can't do in China being a foreigner?
1. You can't open the gate to your compound as all the other people.
2. You can't use taobao in a normal way.
- Can't really go anywhere without someone try to cheat you
- Can't really be respected because foreigners can't be as clever as Chinese
- Can't go through any normal process without a huge hassle
- Can't go anywhere without someone staring, whisper or talking about you
- Can't speak Mandarin if you don't understand EVERY WORD spoken to you
- Can't get annoyed with all of the ridiculous patronizing compliments, foolish comments or ridiculous insults... just have to let them roll off your back cause you are a foreigner
- Can't be a permanent resident of China, cause foreigners are always only guests
RandomGuy:
I always let them think that they are smarter and that I am a dumb laowai then double cross them when they least expect it, that's when they usually lose it and become aggressive (because the laowai has no right to cheat chinese), when they realize what I did. It's just too easy because they are so arrogant in their false superiority.
Robk:
What's with the down votes? Somebody got something to say... have the guts son... have the guts.
You can't visit the Republic of Tibet without an escort. Nor can you say you support the Democratic rights of the Chinese people on Taiwan.
nickchao0210:
I am a Taiwanese Australian...and I would always avoid talking about any democratic or political issues related to Taiwan...
ironman510:
haha It's our contract not to talk about Taiwan too, but yeah stay away from toucky subjects in China.
You can't send more than $500 a day home without it being a pain in the arse.
ironman510:
Western Union is a good back up, only $15, when i had to buy a house back home I sent bundles back home under $5000
Robk:
Well, I use PayPal... they only charge $.50 cents.
I highly suggest trying it out as the Chinese banking system is horrible.
rahuldtalreja:
Really? I have sent much more than that in 1 single day. I have used Western Union to do that.
You can't use chopsticks
Stiggs:
I always love that one. Only a select billion or so are 'clever' enough to use chopsticks.
diverdude1:
stick them in the rice bowl standing up,,, that's always good for a hoot!
Can't speak putonghua... even if you're fluent in it.
Can't do anything properly - no matter what training and experience you have. The locals ALWAYS know better than you!!!! (including your native language.. and facts about your country)
However, being more technically correct in comparisons to Dalu Ren...
Get train tickets from a machine (ie, not the one behind the screen).
Walk into any hotel to get a room.
Stay in the country for as long as you like, and work wherever you choose, in whatever field you care for.
Have official accounts on various social media. (sometimes have ANY accounts on Chinese social media)
use logic to make a valid point.
make a complaint to fix an annoying (usually work related) problem because to do so means 'you hate China'
- Can't really go anywhere without someone try to cheat you
- Can't really be respected because foreigners can't be as clever as Chinese
- Can't go through any normal process without a huge hassle
- Can't go anywhere without someone staring, whisper or talking about you
- Can't speak Mandarin if you don't understand EVERY WORD spoken to you
- Can't get annoyed with all of the ridiculous patronizing compliments, foolish comments or ridiculous insults... just have to let them roll off your back cause you are a foreigner
- Can't be a permanent resident of China, cause foreigners are always only guests
RandomGuy:
I always let them think that they are smarter and that I am a dumb laowai then double cross them when they least expect it, that's when they usually lose it and become aggressive (because the laowai has no right to cheat chinese), when they realize what I did. It's just too easy because they are so arrogant in their false superiority.
Robk:
What's with the down votes? Somebody got something to say... have the guts son... have the guts.
Pee and shit on the bus, street, anywhere you like. If they do it is customs and traditions but if you do it, it is disrupting their social harmony. They can steal and copy and fake, that is called survival, if rich laowais do those it is grabbing money from the beggars' bowl which is both illegal and morally indefensible.
If you are married to a local and have a family you cant work on your marriage visa
cant use youtube or facebook without a vpn
ironman510:
The strange thing is at times I can get Facebook messenger messages on the android app and sometimes reply without a VPN
Use TaoBao or TianMao quanqiugou, or the international buying services. Many products on JD also require your shenfenzheng.
Can't expect professional competence or ethical business behavior.
Can't expect them to honor NDA or contracts.
Can't expect on time or on budget performance.
Can't expect useful innovations or end user knowledge.
Zethe:
This exactly! Any expectation of morality, competence, or intelligence you may have is instantly considered "China Bashing".
Go on with your day peacefully without being mentally harassed by random people for no other reason than you not looking Chinese.
Abide by chinese laws, rules and regulations aswell as neglect or avoid conflict with a chinese citizen cuz the ways and things in china are totally different to other parts of the world.
I use taobao the totally normal way, just use alipay on your phone and use the Ebank (Ever Bright Bank is best.) Seems you need to learn how to do things that have blocked roads boy, there's away to do it.
cant ride an ebike on the road and listen to rock music
You can't be Chinese in China if you're a foreigner. Chinese foreigners have to leave China before they can be foreigners.
Shining_brow:
Does this also apply to all those on here who have kids?? The expat married to a local, who has a 'foreign looking' child - but is still technically 'Chinese'...
You can't go to the pound shop and buy four bars of Caramac for a £
Smoking or vaping in a western restaurant but you can do it, if you speak Chinese, in a Chinese restraurant
better if u smoke Chinese cigarette, so u can say your supporting Chinese industry
Can't do any of the rude, disgusting habits the Natives have (spitting, cutting in line, not bathing, snot rocketing, etc) because this is China and Chinese people don't like that. You must accept our ways and if you can't, you need to go home even if you own a house here and are married here. Remember, when in Rome. . .
Can't prove them wrong about anything because it's all about saving face and they will just say "well, maybe. . ."
Can't be left alone because someone will either stare, make comments, or try to "practice their English." And if you don't accept that, you're a rude foreigner and need to go home because Chinese people are so polite and nice about personal space.
Can't be critical of anything, but must accept all criticism and change everything about yourself.
Can't except a sincere apology for anything, but you are required to apologize for breathing.
Can't buy real estate without marrying a Chinese or investment worth 2 million dollars
Hotwater:
You're wrong. In most cities you just need to live there and pay taxes for one year. Then you can buy one apartment. What you can't do is get a loan.
i like comment of chopstick, you cant use cjopsticks, hahahaha
I can't send RMB at Western Union, I gotta change it to Dollars, it was my first "pissed culture" shock.
Stiggs:
Yeah that sucks. Especially if you're sending to somewhere other than the U.S. You need to convert the money twice.