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Q: Why is 'hello' followed by a lot of laughing in China?
Scenario: Foreigner walks down the street. Chinese person sees him, says hello, then bursts in to a fit of laughter.
It is because it is unusual for nthe ones who react this way to see a foreigner and also a bit of shyness in speaking maybe one of the few English words they can say with confidence. Those who deal with foreigners regularly are not the ones who do the Hello giggle thing.
There's two types... there's the nervous laugh like woody said. Then there is the also the laugh because they can make the laowai puppet dance. Watch closely if you see a group of guys doing this. He'll actually get all of his buddies to pay attention first before he shows off how he can control the foreigner to turn around and look his way. If you turn around with a huge smile and wave, you can make some of them cry from laughing so hard.
I amazes me how much some of you can justify... I can't speak for your home countries but where I come from anyone who screams out "hello" in ANY language then giggle like a retarded school girl is usually deemed the "village idiot"...
woody:
Of course they dont do this in countries where we come from. Countries that are used to people of different races and where English is spoken by many. If you go to almost any country where people speak little English and go to areas where they have little contact with foreigners you will find people do similar things.
Njord:
I come from a predominantly "white" country, I've been top many places that seldom get visitors, never, ever experienced this level of stupidity... I've had curious looks, folks passively yet politely watching me (at time looking nervous) but never the village idiot yelling hello and laughing, people pointing and shouting, things like this... Here there is a whole new level of stupid.
it passes for entertainment here, they cant make decent films or tv shows every thing interesting on the net is banned, so sad
this is the truth
Never reply, never pay attention. If they start following you, screaming "hello", don't look at them, just say "bie darao wo" or "cao ni ma de" in the most deadpan, emotionless voice possible.
Chinese guys are easily intimidated and something that simple will make them piss themselves. Never, ever let those people intimidate you or push you around.
wooob .dirty words always be learnt first, thatz why i never make a second look on a foreigner when i see them in the street,just like what i do to the chinese guys, unless the guy is outrageously cute n cool n sexy...., or the woman is damn hot, i cant control myself to creep a little sneak peak.......
I laugh back at them. Why? Because I think they probably earn about 2000rmb a month and they live in China. Waaaahhhhaaaaaahhhaaa 
In all honesty I just feel sorry for them.
Next time the say hello, say "Ou est la salle de bain?" Nothing confuses them more than when you speak French.
Oh don't be so hard on them! I just yell back "Nihao" crack a big smile, leave them laughing their arses off......make their day!! Sheesh.
thedude:
I was totally joking. I am always polite here even when I should be offended (I am Canadian, what can I say) and smile and say hello back. But it IS funny when you speak French to them!
It's just a way to show hospitality or out of curious...
But I agree it's annoyed.
GoldenBoy:
How would you know it is annoying? *confused* Do you get mistaken for a westerner?
wenna7:
Cause I was also a "westerner" in Uganda, they called me "mu cun gu" which basic means white people...
The ones looking at me I say hello to, but what gets me is when you have walked past and they say it behind your back, "Hello, Goodbye, Please to meet you" etc. Actually I do feel sorry for them because maybe they would like to learn english but can't afford it!
"Hello" is the funniest joke in China.
Actually, I think it's rooted in the idea that most people here can't even fathom that other languages actually exist, so when they get the chance to try it out, it's highly amusing.
I agree that some people will also do it to "impress their friends" like "watch, I bet I can get the laowai to look".
I usually respond to the hello with "WHHHHHAAAAAZZZZZZZUUUUUUUUUUUPPPPPPP??!?!!?!!" said loudly like in that old TV commercial. It usually scares people away.
