China Survival Guide Quotes

“Don’t take everything for granted, and do not always count on finding everything you need.”
― Larry Herzberg, China Survival Guide: How to Avoid Travel Troubles and Mortifying Mishaps

“When given the chance to see China off the beaten track, definitely take it.”
― Larry Herzberg, China Survival Guide: How to Avoid Travel Troubles and Mortifying Mishaps

“Hello nǐ hǎo knee how. (Think: How’s your knee, i.e., “How are you?”) Goodbye zàijiàn dzeye gee-en Thank you xiè xie syeh syeh (The second “xie” has no tone.) You’re welcome bú kè qi boo kuh chee (The “chee” has no tone.) Good morning zǎoshang hǎo dzow shahng how Please stand in line qǐng páiduì ching pie dway Too expensive taì guì le tie gway luh (Make it) cheaper piányi yìdiǎn pien yee ee dien (I; we) don’t want it búyào boo yow I want this one wǒ yào zhèige waw yow jay guh (Note: “guh” has no tone) How much (does it cost)? duóshǎo qian dwo shao chee-en Where is the bathroom? cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ tsuh swo dz-eye nah lee Over there nàli nah lee (Note: “lee” has no tone) Please give me qǐng gěi wǒ ching gay waw Fine; OK; good; alright hǎo how Not OK; no good bùhǎo boo how I want to go ____ Wǒ yào qù waw yow chee-you (Show taxi driver the address in Chinese.) (Want) to go to ____ Wǒ yào dào qù ____ waw you dow ____ chee-you (e.g., when buying tickets at train or bus station) Police! jǐngchá! jing chah! (in case of theft or emergency) Help! Help! jiùmìng! jiùmìng! jee-oh ming! jee-oh ming! Faster! kuài yìdiǎn! kweye ee dien! Numbers one through ten: one yī ee two èr ar three sān sahn four sì szih five wǔ woo six liù leo seven qī chee eight bā bah nine jiǔ geo ten shí sure one of something yíge ee guh two of something liǎngge lee-ang guh three of something sānge sahn guh Etc.”
― Larry Herzberg, China Survival Guide: How to Avoid Travel Troubles and Mortifying Mishaps

“Do not hesitate to ask for an electric fan (“diànshàn,” pronounced “dee-en shahn”).”
― Larry Herzberg, China Survival Guide: How to Avoid Travel Troubles and Mortifying Mishaps

“Politely utter the magic words “kōngtiáo” (pronounced “kung tee-ow”) or “qǐng kāi lěngqì)” (pronounced “ching kai lung chee),” meaning “please turn on the air-conditioning,” and the driver will usually oblige. On longer trips, be sure to take down the number of your taxi so you can report the driver if he “takes you for a ride” or if you leave something valuable in the cab that you need to retrieve. Do not assume you’re being cheated, however, if the taxi driver asks you for several yuan more than the price on the meter. In recent years taxis have added a fuel surcharge (what is called the “Beijing Taxi Special Invoice Of Bunker Adjustment Factor”!). So if the meter says 20 yuan, for example, get ready to pay 22 or 23 yuan. Also be aware that taxi fares in cities like Beijing and Shanghai are a bit more expensive late at night than during the day. Of”
― Larry Herzberg, China Survival Guide: How to Avoid Travel Troubles and Mortifying Mishaps

“To avoid having to use the toilet more than you normally do, be sure to take with you a fair amount of Imodium A–D. Standards of hygiene in China are not as high as in the West. Our bodies have also not developed a resistance to the bacteria common in China. If you eat at the better restaurants in the major cities, you likely will experience no digestive issues. But should you be struck by what we call Mao Zedong’s Revenge, you will want to avoid spending valuable sightseeing time getting all too familiar with Chinese toilets!”
― Larry Herzberg, China Survival Guide: How to Avoid Travel Troubles and Mortifying Mishaps

“China, talking about restrooms is very important, especially when seconds count. Memorize these characters: (Nán) is male, (Nǚ) is female. Often they may be more prominently displayed than the words “Men” or “Women” or even the familiar gender-specific silhouettes we are accustomed to seeing. Not to worry, however, if you can’t read the Chinese characters for the two gender choices. The general rule of thumb in almost all of China is “men left, women right,” meaning that the men’s restroom will be on the left-hand side and women’s on the right. Only in the areas populated primarily by minority peoples is the opposite true. If you’re female, and at least half the human race is of that persuasion, then you have a special treat in store at some Chinese airport restrooms outside of the largest cities like Beijing and Shanghai. You may walk into one of the lovely modern stalls provided for you. Lulled into a sense of security and familiarity by such a modern-looking restroom so far from home, you don’t even think to check to see if there is any toilet paper in the stall. That’s because in America there are always several giant-sized rolls in industrial-looking acrylic dispensers.”
― Larry Herzberg, China Survival Guide: How to Avoid Travel Troubles and Mortifying Mishaps

“Two common Chinese words that are usually pronounced incorrectly here in the U.S., by nearly all television and radio broadcasters, are the words “Beijing” and “yuan.” The “j” in the name of China’s capital city is not pronounced with the soft “j” sound like Je suis in French. The Chinese language lacks that sound entirely. The “j” in “Beijing” is pronounced like the “j” in “jingle.” The yuan is China’s currency, just as the dollar is ours. It is not pronounced “you-anne” or “you-awn.” It is pronounced “you-when,” or “U.N.” when said quickly as if it were one syllable.”
― Larry Herzberg, China Survival Guide: How to Avoid Travel Troubles and Mortifying Mishaps