Living In China Sucks! The Worst Part Of Living In China! It's NOT What You Think!!

[@RoyFJ65]

Every time I have gone to China with my family, there was absolutely nothing that I did not like. Even the language barrier didn't impede us in any way due to the helpful nature of the locals.

[@sirant]

That's great to hear that you had such a positive experience!

[@michelbourgeois6067]

I totally agree with you on that subject! Those kinds of people are just annoying and complain about everything. They should learn Chinese so they can better understand the culture! I'm also Canadian from Montreal and I must say the more languages you know the better! I can't understand why people who live abroad do not learn the language of the country where they live! Thank you for your videos Sirant!!! I'm now studying HSK! (almost done ) and next year hopefully in September 2025 I will go to Kunming and learn Chinese for 3 to 4 weeks at a school over there.

[@sirant]

Wow! That's awesome! I am sure you will love the adventure!

[@karlyap3011]

We, a family of four adults, are thinking of learning Chinese in China. Which school in Kunming and why this school?

[@cherylyau2551]

Thats very true! If you don’t like China you are well go home. Don’t stay on coz China is very well populated. With or without you, China is still prosperous.

[@LW78321]

It's great to see how you embraced living in China, Sirant! 😊😊

[@alanchenh1521]

Totally agree with you! That what I want to say.

[@joanealvarado8903]

I got to visit China this august for a cultural exchange and all I remember was how easy it was to navigate our way around China through some of the locals there who we had by our side every step of the way. We would usually always have our translator out for whenever there wasn’t anyone to help us communicate or the locals would have their own translators out to communicate with us. As someone who is bilingual (Spanish and english) I felt that the language barrier really was the only thing that I felt foreigners would have to deal with and be comfortable acknowledging they have to deal with for coming somewhere outside of the United States. I loved my experience there soo much and acknowledged that if I did want to come back it’s be easiest to learn the language since languages are an essential part of cultures that are different then ours, it’s simply how we communicate. Due to this it’s only right that we learn their language or attempt to learn their language--so many countries have so easily assimilated to foreigners demands by having easily readable information at hand for them to engage with that it has become easier for foreigners to live in the country or state than the locals to live in. Take Mexico for example, Mexico City specifically. People visit there because they know that majority if not all of the information that they desire will be easily available to them in english, it’s usually one of the first things that people look for when they look to visit a country. Locals in Mexico and in Hawaii (alongside others) have expressed their hatred for tourists for this reason and have come to resent them for visiting in numbers. Tourism does bring in money, yes, but if one is not willing to put in at least some effort to learn the local languages or to learn about their culture they should definitely just stay home. The United States has always claimed that they have no official language yet people expect immigrants or refugees to learn English--these double standards are harmful to those individuals who have already left so much to come to the states in the first place. We expect others to assimilate to American culture but how unfair is it that there are people who expect other cultures or communities to assimilate to theirs in their OWN country??? I applaud you for having learned Chinese and having taken the effort to do so-these individuals will always be welcome in these places and I believe could be the reason that China has such a intricate visa process. I hope that next time I am able to visit again, I’ve learned much more Chinese than I know currently. Thank you for taking the time to correct those who believe that these countries, communities, or cultures should assimilate to them because this is just one of the ways in which China is looking to preserve their culture, as they, alongside other cultures, communities and countries are heavy on cultural preservation😊❤.

[@sirant]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! I am glad you felt so welcomed in China. Learning another language is a beautiful way to experience a new culture, and I am sure you will enjoy your future visits even more as you continue to learn.

[@honghengpowe85]

There is an old saying, when you are in Rome do what the Romans do

[@shiulai5804]

Self centered people always expect others to cater to them. I guess. You are right. If these people cannot adjust, it is THEIR OWN problem. They are always free to leave.

[@MM-sr6fw]

You are absolutely on point regarding those complaints. This mentality is ingrained in their belief that they are exceptional and have a lack of self awareness about the world.

[@JD-yz4kr]

In Canada, you don't even see French written on most menu in the Anglophone provinces. And French is supposed to be a national language of Canada.

[@amberfoster3285]

It's rude to expect a country to have any other languages other than their own. When in Rome do as the Romans do! Learn the language of the country you visit, you'll have a better experience.

[@mariodeshaies7779]

i love Chinese food - i love the crowded train so many people to look at- I am expecting to learn chinese ! to try my best. When you moved to another country that is your "responsabiity" to adapt " Vive la difference" --- that is so pretensious of some westerner to ask China to adapt to them yes stay home so so true !!! China is the best

[@sirant]

I agree. Adapt, learn and embrace the culture or stay home.

[@guytr8124]

Excellent video, mate. Spot on.

[@sirant]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@jamesho8820]

Thank-you for your most astute and honest observations about the self-absorbed foreigners and their unrealistic expectations. I was an American student in China back in the 80's and I met up with some "LOSERS" who happened to be second rate English teachers who suffered from "self-exceptionalism." Looks like things haven't changed!

[@sirant]

It is unfortunate that some things never change!

[@johnnyq4260]

I recently went to China for two weeks and absolutely loved it. I'm Taiwanese so there's no language barrier. Life is just so safe and convenient there, even in second- and third-tier cities.

[@echowhiskey1368]

@@johnnyq4260 You are in China, you just travelled to the mainland of China, this the first way to show your love.

[@Arie-Z]

Taiwanese😂 no such thing.

[@leondee918]

@@johnnyq4260 oh, I thought Taiwan people speak Taiwanese

[@johnnyq4260]

@@leondee918 "Taiwanese" is nothing but a Chinese dialect. In any case, the "national language," as it is called in Taiwan, is Mandarin, which is also the official dialect of the PRC.

[@linus631]

Nice to see you actively making video again! Keep it up!

[@sirant]

Thank you so much for your support!

[@Deeeepsea-j5m]

You are absolutely right! Number 1 if you get a job in China and live there for awhile, learn the language. 2) be curious and learn the history and culture of China, 3) Learn to socialize with the Chinese, you are in their society! Be grateful!

[@sirant]

Absolutely! Integration is key!

[@LW78321]

Yes it's quite interesting the foreigners who go to work in China but do not embrace the new country like learning the language

[@fuhsulu5651]

Good point! I like your facial expression reenacting someone complaining most!

[@sirant]

Haha thanks, I try to keep it light!

[@Wunderpus-photogenicus]

Some of few remaining western people who are smart, undeterred and not brainwashed by the western media.

[@cpx9707]

I understand him 100%. I am an immigrant from China. I have been living in Toronto Canada for 39 years now. I understand that I chose Canada and Canada accepted me. I can’t possibly asking the Canadian people to translate everything to Chinese for me. We immigrants have to fit in our adopted country not the other way around. Therefore, same idea, China doesn’t have to translate everything into English for everyone.

[@jivvyjack7723]

That is exactly why there is a chinese diaspora in almost every corner of the world. They just adapt to wherever they end up in. Despite not knowing a word of the local languages when they first arrived, whether they be English, Spanish, French, Swahili, Hindi, polynesian languages etc etc., despite the massive discrimination and prejudice they faced, they all worked hard and prosper by their 2nd and 3rd generation in the new adopted land.

[@cpx9707]

@ A lot of the 2nd and third generation Chinese immigrants can speak perfect English without an accent. They don’t live around “China Town” anymore. Many of them have at least a bachelor degree or higher. They are in all kind of professions like engineering or financial.

[@merychung6776]

Good point of view 100% agree

[@sirant]

Thank you!

[@BrMark-cu9ih]

Good video - thank you. Actually I watched an e-bike development video about China a few months ago. Up until that point my exposure had only been the N.E.D. / C_A ‘China bad’, ‘China failing’, blah blah blah. That video where the English speaking host spent a week or two ramming around meeting with factory staff after factory staff was my very first exposure to what could be called: ‘the new China’. The one with bullet trains, clean cities, modern hotels, etc. One small feature in the video, the one relevant to this video, was that many of the scrolling type information billboards ( I’m not sure what else to term them ), the ticket machines, even some of the announcements on the trains, were actually multi language. Maybe you needed to press a button like on a ticket machine. Anyway, it’s: foreign travel! If you can’t deal with some of those challenges then you shouldn’t visit. Smh. (Continued)

[@sirant]

Oh it is in fact MUCH easier these days than a lot of foreigners are willing to admit. Most of the apps needed for day to day life are in English. English is on a LOT of signs and public facilities, and if not English, at very least PinYin. And in the big cities and tourist areas English is everywhere. On top of that, there are so many English students here, if a person ever got stuck somewhere, they would simply need to ask people nearby if they could speak English and they would get swarmed with eager helpers and new friends. That's why the complainers bug me so much. It is nowhere near as difficult as they say.

[@yours_sincerely48]

I am from Malaysia and i watch the ebike journal to China. Its a good video full of information. Alas my country dont allow ebike on the road.

[@summerdang]

i've seen that video too!

[@suluhorn]

Awesome. Well said!

[@sirant]

Thanks!

[@picandvideo]

👍 very informative and walk up call for the newbies.

[@sirant]

Thanks, glad you found it helpful!

[@Frle1001]

Haha, funny, but so true! Well, they don’t go back because they would never be able to live so well back home. From someone that has lived in the US and travelled around the world.

[@BrMark-cu9ih]

Part II: Besides, this is what I’ve heard called the golden age of language learning. There’s so MANY great resources available. Sure, it’s not easy, but when was easy always necessarily better? In my humble travel experience ( although not yet to China- but it’s definitely on my short list…) when you learn even a little bit the locals are quite surprised and will make extra efforts to assist you, nearly all the time.

[@sirant]

The locals here are so amazingly appreciative that a foreigner would take the time and effort to even try to say a few words.

[@zhugeliang3905]

Sirant is a rare gem. I live in Australia. Imagine the government benefits I’d miss out on if I couldn’t speak English 😅

[@sirant]

Thank you so much for your kind words!

[@cheunghch0224]

Yes, you can find various cheap but good stuffs and food in many Chinese cities. Take the first hand experience and you will be amazed.

[@luoderrick6912]

Well said. I really respect you.

[@sirant]

Thank you very much!

[@tonyha5838]

100% agree

[@futo]

6:14 there's a recent Australian who's getting a lot of slack from commenters because he did exactly what you just mentioned....not only did he not do his research but complained how inconvenient how China was that he left within 24 hrs... well, not every place is like Singapore, Malaysia or Hong Kong because these are all former British colony that left English behind

[@yndiiatecow2536]

I went to Quebec once and I complain. Its written French only, I cried so I left....😂😂😂😂

[@Woo-b9l]

This world is heaven, but human kinds had made as if it's hell.

[@zhangjin7179]

sirant, I am still addicted to you filming the street footage without saying a single word... the street view feels relaxing!

[@sirant]

I'm happy you find those relaxing! I will make more soon! I am thinking of making one this weekend showing my factory neighborhood. Much different from the more affluent and high tach parts of Shenzhen!

[@milespansher4966]

very in-depth opinions! You're definitely one of the top tier foreigners in China. Thank s for sharing, enjoy the life in China!

[@sirant]

I'm just trying to tell the truth about China as I see it. I hope my video will help people make informed decisions.

[@davidchung4691]

Positive thought!

[@sirant]

I do my best!

[@daveking-sandbox9263]

Great point. I'm an American living in Europe and I experience that same thing with American tourists here as well. The Germans just happened to speak a bit of English because they were an occupied country, but now slowly their English is getting worse and worse as their connection with America is falling apart due to Donald Trump etc.

[@fankefang]

Hey Sirant, you are great!!!! Hat-off from a Beijinger!!!

[@sirant]

Thanks for watching, I appreciate your support!

[@horridohobbies]

I travelled to Argentina, Ecuador, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Denmark, and Hungary. I didn't see a lot of English-language signs. Why isn't this a problem? In China, there are English-language signs in subways and many stores. That surprised me. At least, the Chinese are making an effort to accommodate foreigners. But you need to remember that this is China, and most Asian countries have the same language issues. If you're not flexible and adaptable, then you shouldn't be travelling. Duh.

[@Egal0190]

A question for starters. So when the Mandarin learning level isn't useful yet and someone is still dependent on translation tools, what are current recommendations for apps or devices that can do quick translations, ideally with live voice translation both ways, and are developed by local companies and work without VPN? I know AliPay can do on-screen-translations pretty good, but are there recommendations for apps where somebody could speak into it and it gives a live audio output of the translation? I heard Huawei, Baidu and Alibaba also developed LLMs similar to ChatGPT, but i don't know how available they are to the public already and if they include instant audio interaction. Or the question put in a different way. As a Mainlander, what would be the go-to-option when he wants to use a translator on his phone?

[@Woodland26]

I have talked to a lady in her early 20s in China. She was trained to be an English speaking TV presenter. Her English with American accent was impeccable.

[@ElleC-si3wo]

Hey Ant! It’s ramengobbler. Your videos are really impressive and they are also pretty popular. Great job! Miss the games, but these are just as good 👍

[@sirant]

Hi Ramen!! I appreciate you saying that! I am working on making them even better! Thanks so much for popping by!

[@bombasticborneo]

😂😂You couldn't have said it better.Pulang ke rumah Sendiri👏🏿👏🏿

[@sirant]

Thank you!

[@Leoq-zk6wt]

Maybe you are bit too harsh on those people, but if they are in China for that money, they should put effort into it. If they are just there for siteseeing, I guess some of the places will need better accomodation for those needs. I bet the Chinese will do it in the future. However, the most important thing about the west (MSM) is to stop lying about China, show some respect first, be friends, then everything will work out fine between people to people.

[@jivvyjack7723]

Why was it too harsh? He was referring to those who are living and working there. Not tourists. If tourists find it unbearable, they just go home with their return tickets and don't visit again. And you can bet that only tourists who like to discover and savor new things would go to China and those would hardly complain about things like food. They would have come equipped with their translator apps, their cash, their tour groups. And major tourist sites do have English signages. I have visited. I have said just as much to the foreign employees who come to my country to work and yet, whine about everything, including the weather (hot and humid). The CEO of my previous company bluntly told the expat employees to just initiate the transfer papers back to their home country if they don't like it here; just don't expect the company to scratch every little itch they had.

[@yndiiatecow2536]

Lol 😂😂😂 you hit the nail in the coffin.

[@Arjun-zk4pp]

well said Sir

[@sirant]

Thank you!

[@mr.g5593]

Kinesisk er ikke universelt som engelsk, jeg bor i Norge og det står mye på engelsk her så dette er bare for Kina skal være vanskelig

[@mr.g5593]

Og vi har kinesisk mat

[@williamedwardhackman4695]

I live in the USA and I agree with you if people want don't want to learn English or Spanish here and don't like the food here then I would tell them to leave or not come here simple and the USA only has a few places written in Mandarin and same thing with other languages anyway.

[@EmilogiFelix]

well said!

[@sirant]

Thank you!

[@tka1528]

I won't even say how long I been in China and still don't speak Chinese but I rely on my phones translator that's the simple part of living here, it's having to use a vpn that sucks and some phones don't allow you to even get Google play store

[@Hacksilber]

Only Huawei cannot be paired with Google because it has been sanctioned.Other brands of phones may not come with Google Play, but once you try to download software like KZbin through some means, they will automatically download Google Play.

[@sirant]

Yeah, the tech situation can be frustrating at times.

[@ghy8415]

Unlike some other countries which the tourism are one of the main industry to earn income and the majority tourists are foreigners , Chinese native tourists are enough to keep local busy (some hotels do not even serve foreign customers,..)

[@sirant]

Well, I am not talking about tourists though. I am talking about people living and working in the country. I would not expect tourists who are here for a short time sightseeing to learn Chinese, but I would expect it from people living and working here long term.

[@ghy8415]

@@sirant Thank You for your reply. I agree with you that these foreigners who live in China will benefit and more enjoyable to learn the native language. I just want to point out one observed aspect that the Chinese do not need to cater to foreign tourists yet (may be never will...).

[@sirant]

Honestly, there is soooo much English these days on signs, apps and local tourist destinations these days, I doubt a tourist would ever have a hard time anymore. It is really quite amazing just how much English is available now. Thank you for your input! It is always welcome here!

[@VictorThang-b5p]

Excellent expression ❤

[@sirant]

Thanks!

[@GL-iv4rw]

It seems like only the ones from English speaking countries that you found are entitled. Have you ever heard anyone else, like from Egypt or Russia, complain about their language/culture not being ubiquitous?

[@sirant]

No, but to be fair, I do not know too many foreigners these days. And I have known a few who have integrated nicely, even without learning Chinese

[@BrMark-cu9ih]

The e-bike video that I referenced: Title: “this video will change your mind about China” Channel: e-bike school link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnbMqYpjfZaSjacsi=JqJ-9E3Ua0bTXTiF

[@xjfify]

市场需求, 他们可以请一个专业翻译24小时英语服务, 英语没有市场,还要服务,就必须贵.

[@ksenijavojisavljevic2034]

I think soon english translations will be removed and exchanged for rusian and arabic.

[@junlifang2896]

🎉

[@Walawala459]

White man, you did not speak with a crooked tounge😅

[@wang-ev7cb]

Friend♥

[@qake2021]

👏👏👏🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳👍👍👍

[@alloettegentille1571]

How are Tibetans' Rights?

[@sirant]

Perhaps instead of worrying about the fake news you should be asking the North American Native population about their rights.

[@henrylee3379]

😂

[@lizz7805]

the title is sensational and clickbait

[@sirant]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping by!

[@patrickxiao7460]

Please don' t use such topic as many just read the topic and have no patience to get into the content. So it'll be a bit misleading.

[@sirant]

But I WANT people to see the content. The topic is meant to get their attention. That is how you tube works my friend.

[@istvanmuresan4267]

Unfortunately a world without Karens to complain and moan is like a weding without Groom and Bride.

[@tennisguru6739]

subscribed

[@sirant]

thank you!

[@changcheng4954]

The title is just...leaves a lot to desire

[@Lishanmao]

西方政府要求中國政府採用他們的制度，西方遊客要求中國人說他們的語言，很合理啊😂😂😂

[@longyou8254]

😂

[@alloettegentille1571]

How are Tibetans' Rights?

[@sirant]

I have known many Tibetan people and known many people who has traveled there. The quality of their lives has increased tremendously in the past 50 years and they are overall very happy. Don't believe the fake news.