The 'eight don't asks' of the Olympics

Posters are appearing around Beijing guiding locals about how to interact with the (few) foreigners coming for the Summer Games.

The posters instruct residents on the “eight don’t asks” when chatting with foreign guests. Here’s a rough translation, courtesy of the Peaceful Rise blog:

Don’t ask about income or expenses, don’t ask about age, don’t ask about love life or marriage, don’t ask about health, don’t ask about someone’s home or address, don’t ask about personal experience, don’t ask about religious beliefs or political views, don’t ask what someone does. 

So what is one to ask? Maybe the relative merits of fencing versus marathon swimming?

Now, for the foreigners out there, here’s the No. 1 dud question to ask a Chinese person. It’s a question that will draw a blank, non-comprehending stare:

“Hey, pal, tell me about your president. Is he doing a good job?”

Comments

[A B]

Noticed that the following are not on the list of "Don't ask":

- Have you been tested recently for HIV? Can I see the certificate?

(This question does not fall under "health" because it only tangentially refers to health of the person being asked (after all, you can have HIV and be asymptomatic or have it under control), so it is not as if the question ask whether you are unhealthy because you have been infected with AIDS, this question refers to the relative exposure risk the individual concerned have to others should they engaged in unsafe activities.

- Have you had unsafe sex or otherwise contact with any bodily fluids from others in the last 6 months?

Nice that the drafters of these rules have CSWs needs in mind!

[Anti-Communist]

Why do people keep glamorizing Communist China?

This is a country that has no free elected government and punishes free speech.

The bloggers and China Sycophants only encourage Communist China's propaganda machine.

It is senseless and naive to promote Communist China in a positive light.

Communist China is a nuclear enemy of the free democratic world. It is wrong to interact with the Chinese.

The act of visiting Communist China or going there to do business or even attending the Olympics is tantamount to treason.

[Doctor Jay]

"Don't ask what someone does"

I don't get this one, this doesn't seem taboo in the US. What's the concern here?

[Eve]

Well I guess what's left is "What do you think of the weather?" -always a winner. And food--Chinese food is fantastic, and any visiting foreigners will love tips on where to get the most tasty meals.

[MK]

(@ Anti-Communist)--In light of what you wrote, I dare say that any blogging about the positive things in the United States could be considered promoting war, crime, murder, arrogance... To publicize information about a particular place does not imply absolute endorsement of its policies. It is journalism, and only that.

I have followed Tim's blog for quite some time now and he has always tried to present both sides of the story, just as a true journalist would. I have also spent time in China, and I can tell you that it is a beautiful country with wonderful people, and not all of them are in agreement with their country's policies.

To make the vast generalization that writing about China and including its good points is treason is a colossal mistake. Perhaps through understanding a place from within those who criticize it will be better equipped to make judgments, and, perhaps, begin to create change through awareness. This is what I believe Tim tries to do, and I know he does not do it without difficulty.

[Tian]

Tim you ask the same question in the U.S. What would people's opinion of Bush?
Usually they would answer good or bad but seldom able to offer much supporting details.

The same I find in China.
All politics are local. They probably have more to say about their mayor than their president.

In this land of the free, it's amazing to me still how many people think Obama is muslim.

[Pffefer]

The Chinese should just ask: When will you send your troops over to liberate us from this hell hole?

[Anti-Communist]

My comments are not against the Chinese people; all countries are generally made up of good-natured, peace-loving people. I personally am an enthusiast of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The Communist Chinese want us to believe that they are socially, economically and commercially an "equal member" of the global community. They are in no way similar to free industrialized ststes.

Communist countries cannot be on the same stance economically and politically as free and independent states. This is a huge mistake in our thinking... to accept China on the terms which China wants us to accept them.

Communist China does not get to set its own world opinion.

This summer's Olympics is a huge propaganda opportunity for the Communist Regime. They can now tout that a Communist Autocracy can operate in commercial and global spheres such as international sports and business all while suppressing free-speech, religious freedoms and other civil liberties.

Just because we lent a sympathetic pause to our criticism of Communist China after the Sichuan Earthquake we should not forget about the treatment of the Falun Gong, the plight of the Tibetan state and countless other acts of oppression.

Even Islam suffers in Communist China.

Communist China is an "Equal Opportunity Destroyer"

[Pffefer]

So uninformed, so brainwashed, so "simple and naive". So McCarthy. So lame.

[MAC]

Some of these suggestions are a bit over-the-top (I mean, really, can you turn all of Beijing into wine-swirling blue-bloods, in a couple weeks?) but I for one think it would be great if Chinese people stopped asking how much people make and how much things cost.

Food does seem to be the natural way to go; after all, 75% of Chinese conversations boil down to money or food. (Tongue in cheek, but I do think there's a trend) Chinese food is something many foreigners can praise without reservations, so the asker will be happy. And visitors won't be around long enough to get tired of the repetition.

[Roy In NC]

You could ask Americans that same last question and get just as many blank stares.

I'm a little baffled by the list myself, but maybe they're trying to cover any subject that might be taboo in some culture somewhere. (Remember, foriegn visitors means more than just Americans or even Europeans).

Being that it's China, I'd expect people to pay about as much attention to this as they do traffic laws.

[Jake]

Hey Tim,

How is your president doing a good job?

[ccritic]

Hi Tim, “tell me about your president. Is he doing a good job?". In other countries,
atleast presidents don't make blunders.

[frog in a well]

You guys should first pay a visit to China, then open your uneducated mouth. Also, ask yourself a question too, how well did the POTUS do with his job? He is driving this great nation towards bankruptcy.

Don't believe everthing you see or hear on the media, get a good payingt job, save up some money and go see the world as I have done, you will then know how silly your comments are.

Your slogan-like comments sound like ones from a 5th-grader getting your world view from watching Nickelodeon.

[Wilbur Varela]

Lets see, we have eight don't asks, three "represents", four 'steadfasts', five maids a milking, and a partridge in a pear tree. Gotta love those chinese lists. I think common sense should prevail when talking to anybody, foreign or domestic...don't insult other people or be disrespectful, realize our common humanity, help out when you can, and remember all politicians are thieves. We all want love, good food, and fun times. Besides, the most common topic for discussion around the world is usually....where are the hot, single girls? (wait, that would violate one of the don't asks, right?) so, okay, where is the nearest bar should be alright to ask.

[Wilbur Varela]

By the way, criticizing communism is not a slam against China, which isn't even communist in a real sense, but a slam against tyranny and dictatorship, which americans have spilled a lot of blood in confronting. No one has a monopoly on truth and justice, and we all have to share this planet. And as far as the US president goes, whatever america's other faults, after four years we get to throw the bum out. Surely my Chinese friends would agree this is a good thing?

[Troy]

I thought Hu Jitao was the President of China?

And the Pew Research recently did ask that question.

www.pewglobal.org

[the tank man]

Nice post Tim ,quite to the point. and i'm wondering if China will be a country of dumbness(somehow it's already been) if CCP continues to hush people up in this way.

[the tank man]

hey ,Tim, Just a proposal for your next post theme: How much the general chinese people care about the hosting of the olympics?
Maybe you can post a questionnaire somewhere on internet, and let them enjoy the first ever freedom of speech in expressing their ideas about the olympics.Start from me
I DON'T GIVE A SHIT.

But i'm getting concerned that once you'll post some questionnaire of this kind,the site will be simataneously blocked out just like this site is a blocked-out in Great China now. Or as an alternaltive, you may hand out the printed version in the streets somewhere in Beijing, yet in that case, i'm getting more concerned cos you might get beated up by plaincops or simply ended up in jail for months in case you will put China on the spot again during the Games.
so next time when the readers log into your blog site,and find out no more updates,they know where to get you and get you out.

[munky]

@anticommunist:

take a look outside your own door lest you forget our rights to free speech religious freedom and civil liberties are under attack on a constant basis in this "oh so much greater country"

let he without sin cast the first stone

[k2000s]

“Hey, pal, tell me about your president. Is he doing a good job?”

Apparently some people already asked, and he is doing a much better job that GWB. See for yourself:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080722/ap_on_re_as/china_poll;_ylt=AusLY24QqPmESdFcIfrP_5HUCdEF

[Junhui]

I was gonna leave this one alone but our Anti-Communist friend has made it too tempting to reply.

I first want to stay that, in China, its freedom of NO-RELIGION. What do you want from a state that is strictly declared atheist? I think its quite generous of a atheist nation to offer approve sites of worship due to cultural needs (Hui's, Tibetans, etc.)
Freedom of Religion, should be rephrased as Freedom from Religion.

If you're expecting freedom of religion in an atheist state that is much like walking into Victoria Secret store and expecting a Video Games for your new system...it's just not that kind of store.

Secondly, China is perhaps the most capitalistic nation in the world and is a major mover in the international business stage. It is a global economy and and global economy has no borders. Every nation is apart of the global economy, as to what piece they play in the global economy; that depends on how strong their local economy is.

Also, I continuously hear people say that China is a directorship. It isn't. It is a one-party electoral system (much like an electoral college) that replaces the "Chairman/President" regularly (based on terms). It's an authoritarian government with an arguable hint of tyranny; but it is not a directorship.

Lastly, someone mentioned Communist Aristocracy, if they spent 5 minutes on wikipedia, they would know that aristocracy comes in many forms. Great examples would be Religious Aristocracy (aka Dalai Lama Tibet) and Democratic Aristocracy (China under KMT rule). It's unfortunate that it's hard to avoid...

Someone mentioned a poll (from a third-party source) that tracked how happy the Chinese were with the direction their country was heading. While you read that; I'm gonna pop open a Bible and flip to Leviticus because thats how we make laws here in the United States. Glad how no one religion outshines another in this great country.

[A B]

@Jun

For that, I am kicking you out of my cult!

[Jack Smith]

I'm looking forward to the Olympics.

Lots and LOTS of foreigners for the communists to have to keep track of.
Can they be everywhere at once?

I dare say not....

Just refresh yourself on the laws so you don't end up visiting this place 'permanently'.

[on the other hand]

@ Wilbur Varela:

"And as far as the US president goes, whatever america's other faults, after four years we get to throw the bum out. "

While I like democracy as much as the next one, are you sure GWB will be thrown out by you? You had a chance in 2004 but apparently you didn't do it. This time he'll leave not because you will elect him out, but because his term ends, just like Hu Jintao's term will end in 2012. And, are you sure the next one you put into the White House will not be a bum?

There is simply too much blind faith on democracy here. Democracy is a relatively speaking good regime, but should never become a religion.