Photo: cctv.com

The chat rooms of websites like Baidu can often prove to be an interesting place to seek out the views and opinions of what the demographically diverse people that make up China’s Netizens are thinking and writing about.

The following is the translation of the answers given to a question posed by a recent high school graduate. The student asked for advice on how to approach foreigners and the best ways of engaging with a foreigner, other than shouting ‘HELLO!’ that would enable him to practice his oral English.

The best answer was given as:

The most important thing to remember when you’re talking to foreigners is to put on a cool act, laowai love these kind of people. When chatting to a laowai, never let slip that you’re only talking to them to practice your English, you should give them a feeling of sincerity. That way you can make friend, laowai love making friends.

If it is your first time chatting to a laowai that you’re not very familiar with, never under any circumstances ask personal questions, such as age, nationality etc. The following are a few things that I personally think are good to open with:

1. You don't seem to be from around here. (Although this is obvious, it sounds better than just “Nice to meet you.”).

2. What are you doing here? (It’s best to try and make friends with teachers or students of Chinese, or people that have relaxed working hours. Do not make friends with business people as they never have any time.)

3. Do you need someone to show you around? (This is always a great opener, and if they don’t then it doesn’t matter.)

4. Do you have a number or anything?

5. I'll call you some time. (Then do not be in too much of a hurry. Leave it 2-3 days before calling back, otherwise you seem too keen.)

This is the best way to break the ice with a foreigner and then you can slowly get to know each other. It is quite probable that the two of you will become friends. I have several laowai friends and I met them this way. Remember though, it is vital that you remain in control of the conversation, and that you ask the questions, because the second you let the laowai start asking stuff, then you’ll come unstuck.

The favorite topics for laowai include the weather, traffic and food, and if you throw in a few things about their culture too, they’ll really like it. You should give the impression that you’re a humorous and easy going guy throughout and if the laowai says something that you don’t get, then just laugh anyway.

Laowai might talk fast and use lots of words, but most of what they say is not essential and you can get what they mean by picking up bits here and there.

The best place for picking up laowai has to be foreign language bookshops and certain coffee shops. I hope my experience in hooking up with laowai can help you out.

Photo: eulam.com

Other comments included:

You can chat to him about China, as this is an old favorite and something that most foreigners are in to. This is also something that will make you feel at home. You can also talk about the weather. This is something that maybe as Chinese we don’t really care about, but laowai are different. They will think you are really pleasant and easy going.

Learn to be able to talk about really Chinese stuff in English, they will really dig that kind of stuff!

Don’t come across as stuffy and academic. Be flexible in what you can talk about.

First welcome them to China and then go onto to tell them about China’s long history speedy development and places of interest, but remember to be modest. Then ask where they’re from and then remember to praise their country and this will make them happy and willing to chat to you.

Ask where they’re from and if they say, for example, American, then ask which part.

Ask them how long they have been in China.

Say that being a high school student in China is tough and then ask them what it’s like in their country.

Talk about, for Example, culture such as food, clothes, weather, education, or talk about English language skills and how to improve your English writing, speaking, listening and reading, just say anything, it doesn't matter what you say. Go ahead!

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