11 Things You Only Learn When Your Best Friend Is Chinese

It’s not uncommon to see a Chinese person clinging to their hot thermos in winter or asking for hot water at a restaurant – but there’s a reason for this. Chinese people drink hot water not only out of preference, but also because they believe it’s good for their health.

Many people have friends from other cultures who are totally happy eating dishes from a variety of cultural cuisines. However, many Chinese believe they are born with a Chinese stomach, and they simply must eat a Chinese dish at least once a month, if not once a week. If they live in a place where it’s not easy to find good and affordable Chinese restaurants, they’ll likely learn to cook themselves.

There are many news reports about the Yulin Dog Meat Festival, and some have heard that the Chinese eat lots of bizarre things. But the Dog Meat Festival is as controversial across China as it is in the rest of the world. Also, not all Chinese eat insects, either.

Seriously, if you ask a Chinese friend who didn’t major in mathematics to solve a simple math problem, prepare to receive a big eye roll. Chinese people run the gamut just like anyone else. They aren’t great at any one subject just because they’re Chinese.

Before they know a Chinese person well, many believe that the Chinese are generally shy and polite, that they don’t talk much, and they often wear a serious expression. After you get to know them, though, you might wonder where that shy person went who you once knew. Chinese people tend to be slow to warm up, especially when they’re in a situation where they aren’t speaking their native language. They might fear they won’t to fit in.

It’s quite tricky to choose a Chinese name because you can theoretically use any Chinese character plus various naming patterns that only a native Chinese person would know. If you have a Chinese friend, he or she will not only find the perfect characters in accordance with your English name, but they can also blend in their knowledge of the Chinese poetry.

Although many Chinese people are masters at their language, some can be quite mischievous (in a good way) with their foreign friends, and they might teach them weird or wrong translations. It’s just their sense of humor.

As much love as the Chinese have for beer and red wine, they also believe it’s not a proper party without proper Baijiu. This liquor is distilled from sorghum and rice and is generally about 50% alcohol by volume. Be sure to finish your drink completely if someone proposes a toast with Baijiu (the cup is quite small, as the Baijiu is super strong).

Chinese people use WeChat for most texting conversations. Once you’ve downloaded the app, it’s just a matter of time until you learn how much the young Chinese crowd use funny meme stickers to communicate. The characters featured include cartoon figures, animals, celebrities, and even politicians.

“Hai Nei Cun Zhi Ji, Tian Ya Ruo Bi Lin” means “A bosom friend afar brings a distant land near.” This verse is from Tang poet Wang Bo’s (649 – 676 C.E.) poem Farewell to Vice – Prefect Du Setting Out for his Official Post in Shu, which he wrote for his friend Du as he was leaving Chang’an for Sichuan Province to take office. The verse is famous in China, and many Chinese strongly believe the sentiment.