Beijing Local Custom Tips by Arjaree

Beijing people speak Mandarin a bit different. They tend to emphasize on the "r " sound more than other parts of China. I like the way it sounds.

Anyway, learn a few Chinese words will help you to get around better. People in Beijing dont really speak English like in Shanghai. For someone who look kinda Chinese but cant speak or dont understand more than Ni Hao, like me, you should probably learn something like " I don't understand Chinese" -- Wo Bu Dong., for when someone come ask you for the direction since they think you look like a local, then you can reply to them. Or " I don't want" -- Bu Yao -- this is essential for when sales people approach you, just say this phrase and they will go away.

Get a phrasebook and learn a bit before you go.

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In Singapore you will be fined if you spit in public. But in Beijing, it seems like they will be fined if they dont spit. You will see people, specially the elderly and men, spitting on the street all the time. Im told that the fact they try to drag the thing out of their throat with sound effect like that is a way to get unhealthy thing out of their body. Obviously, they dont care about others....

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