Why do people say ni hao

Linguist Mary Erbaugh has been studying in China since the s and recently published a paper in the Journal of Asian Studies on how the use of such seemingly simple words has been undergoing major changes there. Traditionally, Chinese courtesy has been focused on relationships, so there has been little need to greet people in an impersonal way.

But that has been changing along with China's economy, making a few little phrases a sign of much larger shifts in society. You may change your billing preferences at any time in the Customer Center or call Customer Service.

You will be notified in advance of any changes in rate or terms. Just try it out and see where it takes you. And yes, you will definitely hear it. The pinyin pronunciation for hello is becoming increasingly popular, especially in areas frequented by tourists. You may even hear some of the younger generation throw out a hi! How have you been? HuffPost Personal Video Horoscopes. Follow Us. Terms Privacy Policy. This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in I'd understand if this happened to me somewhere where Mandarin is an official language, but every single time, it's been in the streets of a North American or European city.

Is it so novel to see an Asian person in the flesh for some people that they desperately wrack their brains, think, "Fuck it dog, life's a risk," and blurt out the first Asian-language phrase they can think of? Do they think that I'll be impressed by their poorly pronounced two syllables in language spoken fluently by millions of other people? What makes you think I can't speak English? One time, I was heading from the student paper office to the subway when a woman came up to me and said the dreaded words.

I kept walking, but she followed me across campus, repeatedly saying, "Ni hao," as if I hadn't heard her the first time. I've had people say it to me as I was getting out of a train and they were getting in, a situation where there's no chance of a conservation starting in any language.

The worst is when I'm out with other Asian girls and a guy comes up to us, says it, then stands there looking like he expects an award.