I’m pretty sure McDonald’s workers in China are trained to deal with foreign-looking people a certain way. At pretty much every one I’ve visited, every time a laowai walks up, the server takes out the menu right away. They’re supposed to be able to serve you in English, some are stoked and want to practise, others don’t like it and look relieved when you can speak Chinese. If you go back to the same place a *lot*, eventually, the staff will recognize you on sight and even remember your order. (I know this from personal experience, it helped me gain back 8 kg from when I got sick)

I think you’re being a touch harsh on these people. David, this isn’t Canada or the UK, but a country that was essentially firewalled from the rest of the world for how long?

And given that so much of the “white” world does speak English & most of the “white” world is influenced by American popular culture (all english), can you blame them? If these people are exposed to popular music & film by “white” people, it’s most likely in English, not in Swedish or German. Given the less-than-worldiness of Changchun, would you really expect much difference?

Racial stereotyping exists everywhere. I’m sure most Europeans see Americans as “fat and stupid”, and many see Canadians as people that live in the forest in snow huts. Just as many North Americans believe all Irish people drink Guinness, all Swedes are blond, all Germans are great engineers, etc. WE don’t have an excuse, but many of these people do.

Regardless, fascinating blog.

Point taken about the comparison but if you live here you’re understand where i’m coming from.

• I disagree that the staff member was using common sense. I believe that racial stereotyping based on appearence is one of the worst things about living in China. Whether there assumption was correct or not is beside the point. Everyone regardless of race colour or creed should be treated as an individual and not just as another laowai.
• I don’t ask much, all I ask is that they first have the decency to ask if you speak english before trying to jump into a conversation.  
• The other problem is that 95% of the workers at such restaurants wouldn’t understand me unless I slowed down my speech, enounciated the sounds and pointed at the menu! Why should I do this when I can easily say what I want in chinese?

I don’t think it’s a reasonable comparison to say that a McDonalds staff member in Changchun addressing you in English is equivalent to a McDonalds staff member in London addressing a customer of Chinese appearance in Mandarin.

How many white foreigners with fluent Chinese would that Changchun worker encounter? Very few I’d wager. Anyone who deals with customers on a regular basis is naturally going to adopt whatever method of communication has proved most reliable in the past. If they assume that you speak English, it’s probably just a reflection of their past experiences with white customers, and hardly seems to warrant feeling offended in any way.

To be honest, I’d say the staff member at McDonalds was exhibting common sense. After all, the fact is that their assumption, whether you like it or not, was correct.

“YOU are really really an asshole. Watch your mouth or we Chinese will kick your ass and fuck your asshole!!!!SHIT!!! BUSTARD!!!! SOB!!!!!!”

You complete dullard. If you’re going to post offensive comments at least have the foresight to cover your tracks.

I know who you are, I know where you live, Your campus, even what building you are in. IP adresses give out a lot of information, so do cookies, and my website has a recorded cookie from your computer.

I have emailed a very senior connection I have at your university and I have also emailed your IT dept; rest assured you are going to be in some serious trouble.

I suggest you aplogise ASAP.

YOU are really really an asshole. Watch your mouth or we Chinese will kick your ass and fuck your asshole!!!!SHIT!!! BUSTARD!!!! SOB!!!!!!

To T W – just returned to Changchun after a trip to Chang Bai Mountain… no, I’m not staying at Changchun Normal University, although that’s sort of a close guess. My mother is here for a convention at Jilin University, and they’ve put us up at the South Lake Hotel. Staying in a heavily guarded walled off compound isn’t really my cup to tea, but hey- at least it’s beautiful in here.

Hey Jenny by any chance you are staying at Changchun Normal University? I saw two young Chinese females entering the apartment at around 1:30pm Monday and they were speaking English, with one speaking North American English.

Hey Jenny by any chance you are staying at the Changchun Normal University? I saw two young Chinese females entering the apartment at around 1:30pm Monday and they were speaking English, with one speaking North American English.

Double-Seventh Festival will coming(31th,July try to forget unhappy time,smile..and enjoy ur life even if there is no more things worth u..smile.im sorry to leave some words in bad english.neither learn english from u,nor ignore ur eyes.just leave some words tell u -a girl here care u i hope u have a nice day ..in everyday. ^^