Communicating in Chinese (Taiwan Edition): Dos and Don'ts

Hi again,


I mentioned in a previous post about working in Taiwan that people here in Southern Taiwan sometimes have some serious mental blocks when it comes to interacting with non-Asian foreigners.  From what I can gather, this happens because people here aren't as exposed to Westerners, and this combined with the low Chinese literacy among expat Westerners has created the expectation that communication is impossible.  Or, at the very least, will be an excruciating process, given the tendency of many Westerners to become frustrated and yell when they aren't understood immediately.  This means that people here will likely not readily communicate with us (even if it's their job!).

For those of us that do speak Chinese, another strange phenomenon is the result; people may shut down if a Westerner (read: non-Asian) person begins to speak to them, even if you speak Chinese, resulting in some pretty lengthy blank stares.  Why?  I surmise it's because (particularly southern*) locals assume or expect Westerners not to speak Chinese, and when we do, it causes enough perceptive incongruity (Eyes say white face= No Chinese,  Ears say Chinese is being spoken) that it takes a couple of seconds to fully process what's going on.

As a result, many people may wave you along as if they can fan your existence into another plane, while some people may run away or try to hide behind something (both of these scenario's happened to me on a somewhat regular basis before I learned how to more appropriately interact).  Most commonly, people will stand staring at you with wide-eyed terror, as if you are some kind of monster about to eat their children.

Hyperbole aside, what can you do?  You have walked into a shop, or office, or other place of business because you need to get something done.  Chances are, you want the kind of experience you're used to having at home; quick, efficient, pleasant.  In Taiwan, this kind of experience is incredibly rare, especially in the south, unless you are pointing at food on a street side cart.  There are, however, some ways to make the experience easier on both yourself and the person trying to help you.  Read on to see some of my tips!

1. Do be patient.  Fortunately, you are in Taiwan: land of beautiful landscapes, delicious local produce, and great weather.  Unfortunately, most transactions here happen neither quickly nor efficiently.  Only you have the power to dissuade yourself from allowing the experience to become an unpleasant one!  Remember that most people want to help, but it may take some time before you are communicating effectively and get what you need.
2. Don't just jump right in and cut to the chase to try and get what you need quickly.  This will most likely lead to blank stares of extreme discomfort or possibly terror.  Sometimes going slower at the start will mean a faster result overall.
3. Do begin the interaction with normal, daily pleasantries in Chinese.  Say good morning or hello and ask if you can get some help or ask a question (and don't be afraid to use a dictionary):
   
   你早／你好 (hello, good morning) are usually best for starting a conversation. 
   Then follow with: 不好意思，可以麻煩你一下嗎？ (excuse me, can I bother you for a second?) or
   不好意思，可以問一下一個問題嗎？ (excuse me, can I ask you a question?) or 
   不好意思，請問一下，.... + your question?  (excuse me, can I ask you..... + your question)
   不好意思，可以問一下.... + your question?  (excuse me, can I ask you..... + your question)
   
   Starting with a general greeting and one of these questions will alert the person you're about to engage that, hey, you speak Chinese and you are a decent communicator.  It's sort of like introducing yourself when you first meet someone; if you make the attempt to do the pleasantries first, it gives locals a chance to process the fact that you speak Chinese and that this interaction shouldn't cause them any stress.  Most people will usually look immediately relieved once you begin an interaction this way.
4. Do speak clearly and use the simplest explanation you can.  Most of the time, you don't need to give a lot of background information, and usually this information just confuses locals further.  Keep it as concise as possible and you will likely be rewarded with comprehension!
5. Do remember that Chinese isn't your first language and expect to be misunderstood the first time.  You are trying your best to communicate and locals are doing their best to understand you.  If you aren't understood the first time, rephrase your request and try it again; sometimes it will take 2-3 tries before you are fully understood.  Expect this, and go in knowing that you'll get what you need eventually.
6. Don't give in to frustration and get angry.  If you haven't made any headway and you've tried explaining yourself 3+ times without success, don't be afraid to ask for someone who speaks English (or your native language).  You may get lucky and get someone who can immediately resolve the issue.  If not and it's an emergency, call 0800-024-1111 and have someone translate for you for free. 
7. Do learn to walk away.  If you can sense that someone isn't willing to help you or if things aren't happening in the way you like (such as in the Bakery when there are 3 staff members cutting a single piece of bread when there's a line 10 people long at the register- if you're from the south, you'll know exactly what I mean!), it's OK to walk away and try it again later, or simply take your business elsewhere.  Knowing your own limits (and triggers!) and when to walk away will save you from unnecessary frustration and stress in the long run.
8. Do remember that we are not speaking our native language and everything is relative.  Often times we might think we are being perfectly clear and eloquent, when in fact we sound like an elephant on steroids.  Many times misunderstandings will be our fault; regardless of how clear we think we're being, and sometimes it will be because people are bad listeners or can't escape the loop of perceptive incongruity.  If you go into a situation ready to communicate despite the hurdles, you will almost always be successful, just persevere!  加油！ And you'll get it done.

*Why do I keep singling out Southerners?  For three main reasons: First, the south is less international and is still in the process of developing, and thus has fewer foreigners in residence.  Second, foreigners that reside in the north typically occupy a greater variety of jobs so they are more integrated into society at large.  This means people are less likely to be on alert the instant they see a non-Asian face.  Third, more foreigners in the north speak Chinese fluently or at least decently well while more local Taiwanese also speak English fluently or decently well, which creates a greater environment for more fluid and less stressful/panicky exchange.