Yesterday morning I was taking the early train to Shanghai. As usual when I got on the train, there was already someone sitting at my seat, who I had to ask to leave, a process that resulted in curious/amused looks from onlookers. When I sat down (in between two Chinese business men) I noticed that the man to my right hadn't stopped looking at me and that he kind of looked keen to chat, so I decided to be nice and returned his glance.
The beginning went as usual. He introduced himself in Chinese, wondered how long I had studied for and complimented my Chinese skills... Then, he pointed at the papers in front of him and switched to English:
-I have a job interview with an American company! Can you help me prepare?
Although I had planned to sit back with my iPod for a 30 min power nap I simply couldn't turn down the offer from this man. He was so polite and seemed so nervous.
-Sure, I said. I can be the boss asking you questions.
We started in English, but I realised soon that his level of English wasn't that good so we switched to Chinese (he wasn't sure in what language the interview was to be conducted in, but we were both hoping for Chinese). Once we had worked out his answers in Chinese I started helping him translating them to English.
-Look, I already have, he said and pointed to the papers in front of him.
And there it was.. answer after answer, neatly written in quite good English. I must have looked like a question mark because he quickly said:
-It is easier to read and write in English than to talk.
-Oh, I see...
Going through his answers I noticed some very interesting things, such as his answer to:"How do you respond to criticism?"
"For me, silence is golden. I don't say anything if someone complains. I don't have a problem with constructive criticism though."
-Eh... I said. Is this true? Wouldn't you even ask WHY someone is criticizing you? So that you can improve for next time?
-No. It is better to stay silent.
-Hm.... Maybe you want to re-think that answer....
Moving on, we came to a part where he had been asked to "describe yourself."
A list of adjectives followed:
* Hard-work (which I changed to hard-working).
* Diligent (Just a question to all you native English speakers reading this... do u often use this word? The Chinese seem to love it, as it is the number one translation of the very good Chinese word: 聪明 -cong ming. During my 4 years in England and Australia, however, I haven't heard it once....)
The beginning went as usual. He introduced himself in Chinese, wondered how long I had studied for and complimented my Chinese skills... Then, he pointed at the papers in front of him and switched to English:
-I have a job interview with an American company! Can you help me prepare?
Although I had planned to sit back with my iPod for a 30 min power nap I simply couldn't turn down the offer from this man. He was so polite and seemed so nervous.
-Sure, I said. I can be the boss asking you questions.
We started in English, but I realised soon that his level of English wasn't that good so we switched to Chinese (he wasn't sure in what language the interview was to be conducted in, but we were both hoping for Chinese). Once we had worked out his answers in Chinese I started helping him translating them to English.
-Look, I already have, he said and pointed to the papers in front of him.
And there it was.. answer after answer, neatly written in quite good English. I must have looked like a question mark because he quickly said:
-It is easier to read and write in English than to talk.
-Oh, I see...
Going through his answers I noticed some very interesting things, such as his answer to:"How do you respond to criticism?"
"For me, silence is golden. I don't say anything if someone complains. I don't have a problem with constructive criticism though."
-Eh... I said. Is this true? Wouldn't you even ask WHY someone is criticizing you? So that you can improve for next time?
-No. It is better to stay silent.
-Hm.... Maybe you want to re-think that answer....
Moving on, we came to a part where he had been asked to "describe yourself."
A list of adjectives followed:
* Hard-work (which I changed to hard-working).
* Diligent (Just a question to all you native English speakers reading this... do u often use this word? The Chinese seem to love it, as it is the number one translation of the very good Chinese word: 聪明 -cong ming. During my 4 years in England and Australia, however, I haven't heard it once....)
and then............:
* Sex appeal.
-Sex appeal?! I almost shouted.
-Yes? Something wrong?
-You cannot say sex appeal!!!
-But I take care of myself.
-Yeah well... no. Don't go in there and tell your boss that you have sex appeal.
-Why not?
-Just trust me on this one. Don't.
-OK...
Wow. I am so happy I got a chance to help this man out... I really wonder how he went though. His spoken English was quite poor...which is understandable. At the moment he was working at a Chinese company and had no contact with foreigners at all. I would have offered a language exchange if it wasn't for the fact that I already have two language partners who I barely have time to see every week... Anyways, I am glad I could help out a little bit... and prevent that 'sex appeal' to be said out loud!
Once we arrived in Shanghai we said goodbye and I rushed to the metro. When I was standing there waiting for a not-so-packed-with-people-car (wishful thinking!) I suddenly heard a male voice say:
-You Na?!
I turned around and there was Nike! As in 'When I met Nike' that time in Kunshan?! Ha! Small world! Since our train station meeting at that time we have only caught up a couple of times for dinner. Anyways, now he was taking the metro to People's Square to change to line 2 and head to Pudong, just like me. Awesome!
How funny that even though these places (Shanghai, Suzhou...) are million-cities, u still manage to bump into people that u know every now and then.
-OK...
Wow. I am so happy I got a chance to help this man out... I really wonder how he went though. His spoken English was quite poor...which is understandable. At the moment he was working at a Chinese company and had no contact with foreigners at all. I would have offered a language exchange if it wasn't for the fact that I already have two language partners who I barely have time to see every week... Anyways, I am glad I could help out a little bit... and prevent that 'sex appeal' to be said out loud!
Once we arrived in Shanghai we said goodbye and I rushed to the metro. When I was standing there waiting for a not-so-packed-with-people-car (wishful thinking!) I suddenly heard a male voice say:
-You Na?!
I turned around and there was Nike! As in 'When I met Nike' that time in Kunshan?! Ha! Small world! Since our train station meeting at that time we have only caught up a couple of times for dinner. Anyways, now he was taking the metro to People's Square to change to line 2 and head to Pudong, just like me. Awesome!
How funny that even though these places (Shanghai, Suzhou...) are million-cities, u still manage to bump into people that u know every now and then.
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