Comments on: How to Ask for Directions in China http://www.thechinaexpat.com/how-to-ask-for-directions-in-china/ Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:45:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: Mark http://www.thechinaexpat.com/how-to-ask-for-directions-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-71474 Mark Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:19:37 +0000 http://www.thechinaexpat.com/how-to-ask-for-directions-in-china/#comment-71474 Most Chinese have not studied map reading or most facets of Geography. They don't know where their water comes from, how weather works and do not know how or why anyone would want to create mental maps of areas (such as a city centre or city). They also don't like to disappoint, hence they will make up things they don't know. I've asked any Chinese that I have been with where we are in the city they grew up in and they simply don't know. They can't name major arteries. I'm not complaining - they can get from A to B well enough - it's that Westerners should be aware. I swear that radio taxi cabs will never catch on in China. Anyone phoning would most likely never be able to say where they were - even if the taxi driver knew where it was to pick them up. It won't change much either. In Universities, lecturers were instructed to inform students about project management for large building operations along with feasibility studies for building projects. The concept was alien and the teaching was misunderstood as meaning how to get planning permission (form filling, back-heanders and the like). If you want to get anywhere in China I advise you to: 1. Have a map 2. Know where you are going 3. Take someone who knows where they are going 4. Have a specific address and get a taxi. Most Chinese have not studied map reading or most facets of Geography. They don’t know where their water comes from, how weather works and do not know how or why anyone would want to create mental maps of areas (such as a city centre or city). They also don’t like to disappoint, hence they will make up things they don’t know.

I’ve asked any Chinese that I have been with where we are in the city they grew up in and they simply don’t know. They can’t name major arteries. I’m not complaining – they can get from A to B well enough – it’s that Westerners should be aware.

I swear that radio taxi cabs will never catch on in China. Anyone phoning would most likely never be able to say where they were – even if the taxi driver knew where it was to pick them up.

It won’t change much either. In Universities, lecturers were instructed to inform students about project management for large building operations along with feasibility studies for building projects. The concept was alien and the teaching was misunderstood as meaning how to get planning permission (form filling, back-heanders and the like).

If you want to get anywhere in China I advise you to:

1. Have a map
2. Know where you are going
3. Take someone who knows where they are going
4. Have a specific address and get a taxi.

]]> By: Never ask the locals for directions « Great Expatation's Blog http://www.thechinaexpat.com/how-to-ask-for-directions-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-49258 Never ask the locals for directions « Great Expatation's Blog Sat, 24 Jul 2010 21:12:00 +0000 http://www.thechinaexpat.com/how-to-ask-for-directions-in-china/#comment-49258 [...] get mad – get smart!  I love this article in The China Expat which explains the ‘rules’ (at least in China) and is a great guide to how to ask [...] [...] get mad – get smart!  I love this article in The China Expat which explains the ‘rules’ (at least in China) and is a great guide to how to ask [...]

]]> By: Eric http://www.thechinaexpat.com/how-to-ask-for-directions-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-2767 Eric Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:03:45 +0000 http://www.thechinaexpat.com/how-to-ask-for-directions-in-china/#comment-2767 that is a good news for int'l people coming to China for dwelling and visiting. that is a good news for int’l people coming to China for dwelling and visiting.

]]> By: Eric http://www.thechinaexpat.com/how-to-ask-for-directions-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-2766 Eric Tue, 16 Sep 2008 06:54:05 +0000 http://www.thechinaexpat.com/how-to-ask-for-directions-in-china/#comment-2766 There is a bilingual Asking-the-way Poker Cards available in China, which will be quite helpful. You can use this cards in English & Chinese which covers travelling, lodging, dining, shopping, etc. Using the Bingual Asking-the-way Poker System together with a local English-Chinese Map will help business people, tourists and new residents communicate with confidence in China. There is a bilingual Asking-the-way Poker Cards available in China, which will be quite helpful. You can use this cards in English & Chinese which covers travelling, lodging, dining, shopping, etc. Using the Bingual Asking-the-way Poker System together with a local English-Chinese Map will help business people, tourists and new residents communicate with confidence in China.

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