The ‘eight don't asks’ of the Olympics

Posters are appearing around Beijing guiding the locals how to interact with the foreigners who come for the Summer Games.

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

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?”