Top 10 questions often asked by Chinese when traveling abroad

If stay in China, maybe Chinese feels all right, but once go abroad, perhaps they will feel as if being cut off from the outside world for ages. It is understandable that Chinese citizens have some questions when they stay in foreign countries.

However, a question that seems casual may reveal a “cultural difference.” Although there are a lot of different questions, they may simply be summarized as following 10 questions.

1. Is there boiled water? (The most asked question)

Having checked into a hotel, a Chinese citizen tends to first ask whether there is a kettle in the guest room. However, the fact is that kettles are seldom available in foreign hotels other than one or two large international hotel chains. Westerners love drinking cool water except for coffee and even like to drink iced mineral water that is also served at breakfast.

2, Ask someone (or relation) for help.

Whenever the Palace of Versaillesor the United Nations European headquarters is not open on Sunday, people often ask suck questions. You think it is in China, ah?

3，How much does it cost to see a doctor？

When Chinese tourists have illness or traumatic injury occurs, this word is sure to be asked. What should we do if we get sick in a foreign country? Go to the hospital of course! Are the medical expenses too high for us since we do not have too much dollars or euros? This is an ultimately a problem about money.

If you suddenly get sick or an accident suddenly occurs, you only need to dial a number. Then, an ambulance will come and you will receive treatment. When you are finished with the treatments, just leave the hospital. No one will stop you (People with medical insurance should sign an insurance bill.)

4. Is there garlic?

Ask for garlic is okay in Chinese restaurants, it may be really a joke if you do it in western restaurants! How can you eat garlic during the day? You should think about other people ah? A story goes that: Italian minister calls to an old classmate in the countryside, but the classmate`s voice is as low as like a mosquito. At the end, his classmate says: I’m sorry Your Excellency, I ate garlic tonight, for fear you smell the smell, I had the phone upside down! – This is a joke, but it indicates that European farmers are so particular about it!

5. we also need to queue up?

Chinese often ask such questions when visit some museums and Vatican churches.

Who are you?

6. “Do we need to buy tickets to enter parks?”

Probably only the people who do not understand the concept of “park” will ask such a question.

Originally, “parks” meant free gardens for the public. Since they are free gardens, of course no tickets are needed. Since domestic or local people can enter them without a ticket, so can foreigners. Therefore, all the national mountain parks or national lake parks (including churches) in foreign countries are cost-free (except a few specific ones).

7. Is there fake in stores?

This phrase is too common!

In some western countries, the street will see the sale of counterfeits; it is because the West’s economic police are not as strong as China’s urban management supervisors! However, how can shop openly sell fakes? If there is fake, it is either no strict law or no supervision of law enforcement.

8. Why not develop real estate in a large cottage area?

When Chinese tourists have a bird view of European cities then often ask such questions.

Can houses be put down as long as they are low? Joke, you try a house demolition in Europe, all citizens will protest on the streets. Not speak of the sanctity of private property, at least you should ask what the government should do? The government will look at citizen’s house demolished and do nothing?

9. “It is our leader, can you offer a priority?”(There is also a similar question: Do we also need to wait in a line?)

Foreigners always respond slowly to such questions, and the more you explain, the more bewildered they will become! After they spend much time and finally know what you mean, they still answer the question by shaking heads or spread hands with bewilderment.

10. “Why is the hotel so shabby?” (This can be easily misunderstood)

In fact, this is a big misunderstanding. In developed countries, a big gap exists between ordinary and luxury hotels and luxurious 5-star hotels are rare and expensive. For the average wage earner, a clean and comfortable hotel is OK, and that’s all. Furthermore, the majority of hotels in developed countries were built in line with very low standards before the Second World War (except in Germany). On the other hand however, most hotels in China are constructed in accordance with the latest international standards during the past 20 to 30 years. Therefore, 4-star hotels in foreign countries are not as good as China’s 3-star hotels and 3-star hotels in foreign countries are not as good as China’s hostels.