Thank you onlyone. I usually don't speak out unless it's something or someone really annoys me. As you can tell by now, I can get very personal and opinionated, it's something I'm trying to control.

Anyway, I'm glad you enjoy my diatribe and I will keep contributing whenever I feel it necessary.

Cheers~

I tend to agree with tim kunming's observations of Chinese in general. I mean they often flatter you about your level of Chinese with the usual remarks yet later on in the conversation someone might make a disparaging remark about your level which wouldn't be made if they thought you could understand it. They'll usually be on their guard if they think you can follow the conversation as most of its of a personal nature anyway.

As for the "we have 5000 years of history thing " most Chinese but not all have a poor grasp of their own history in terms of actual details its mostly a catchphrase. However few foreigners study Chinese history themselves to the level where they can converse on the topic in Chinese so its a one way conversation.

I often hear that phrase in Chinese class from professional teachers but when challenged on specifics they usually fall silent so they don't expect a reply especially one involving detailed info on their own history.

The Chinese will treat a fool as a fool until he proves himself otherwise as for hints on Chinese level proficiency refer to your HSK score it might not tell the whole story but it will tell most of it. I mean that's what it's there for.

If you need to impress a Chinese with your Chinese level get a pen and piece of paper starting writing a 800 character composition which is coherent they will shut 99% of them up as its widely assumed that writing Chinese is too complex for foreigners to master. Most of them won't hesitate to tell you so either.

I agree with the obesrvation that racism and bigotry is not limited to China in fact I run into less racism directed at me in China than in my own country. There are most likely less racists in my building than in my family.

As somene told me once most fear is based on ignorance and suspicion and racists don't see themselves as racists.

" Judge not that ye be not judged

Matthew 7

We are what we are if others choose not to accept us then that's their problem not ours.