Confidence building

[muckefuck]

I was obsessing a bit this morning about not being ready to speak to people in China. I meant to find someone for one-on-one conversational practice sessions, but then my fundamentally lazy nature got the upper hand.

Later, on the way to work, I found myself caught behind a group of six Chinese speakers on the sidewalk. I steered past the first pair, but the next two were completely oblivious. So I said, "Qǐng ràng yi ràng!" ("Please give way!") and they scooted to one side. I followed up with "Xièxiè!" as I rushed past and they responded in unison "Méi guānxì!" ("No problem!") Then, presumably upon realising I was lǎowài, they burst into giggles.

Maybe I'll be fine after all.

Comments

[tisoi.livejournal.com]

Is lǎowài like gaijin/gweilo/farang?

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

Shì ā!