Knowing a Little Chinese Can Go A Long Way

Throughout the semester, one of our professors Chengyan Yue, taught us some basic Chinese.  We learned hello, goodbye, thank you, your welcome, and bathroom.  Once we got to China, we tried to use the words that we learned right away.  At customs, I said thank you and goodbye in Chinese and the guard smiled at me.  That was the case everywhere we went.  Anytime that we tried to use Chinese, they would smile, laugh, or even clap!  As the trip continued, we would bombard Chengyan with how do we say this in Chinese or that.  By the end of the trip, we learned how to count, say how much is it, and even leave me alone!  Although I could not always say it exactly and received by a blank look, I would try again.  When the other person would finally understand what I was trying to say, it was a break through and we would both laugh.  By knowing even a few words in Chinese, we were able to connect with the people encountered and it was one of my favorite day to day experiences.