What "polite" questions can be asked to a foreigner?
Quote:
Nice weather we are having, huh? /
Originally Posted by Addy 
Just curious, since questions concerning salary, place of origin, marriage etc. seem to be taboo 
, what appropriate questions can you ask to start a conversation with a non Indian?
Just curious, since questions concerning salary, place of origin, marriage etc. seem to be taboo , what appropriate questions can you ask to start a conversation with a non Indian? Lousy weather we are having, huh? /
Is it hot enough for you?
(long pause)
How much money do you make? :-)
#17 
May 6th, 2010, 21:07 Maha Guru Member
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I didn't know those questions are impolite. I ask them of people all the time
..
.. 
Quote:
No, but I can watch my Ps in the szhink.
Originally Posted by Nick-H Can you tell your Rs from your Ezhbow? 
Can you tell your Rs from your Ezhbow? 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SMSTranslator Nice weather we are having, huh? /
Lousy weather we are having, huh? /
Is it hot enough for you?
(long pause)
How much money do you make? :-)
Nice weather we are having, huh? /Lousy weather we are having, huh? /
Is it hot enough for you?
(long pause)
How much money do you make? :-)
"Dream is not what you see in Sleep… Dream is the thing which does not let you Sleep" - Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, 11th president & 'Missile Man' of India.
Quote:
Originally Posted by justdeep
- Is this the first time you are comming to India?
- How has your journey been so far?
- Which country , state, city are you from?
- Which other city in India have you been to ? How was it for you?
- Have you travelled to any other country?
- Have you ever watched bollywood movies?
- How many languages can you speak?
- Is the India you've seen so far as you imagined it would be?
- Which other cities In India are you going to visit?
- what do people think of India in your city/country?
There's nothing wrong with these questions and they are not impolite BUT I do sometimes find it an ordeal having to answer these sort of questions.
It's particularly tiring and boring if the questioner doesn't speak very good English, or if they just use my answer to launch into a monologue about which other places I should go to, or how many languages they speak blah blah blah.
The key point, mentioned above by pontesnm and RWe, is to observe and be sensitive to the person you are questioning: if they don't seem interested in answering your questions then leave them alone in peace. Nobody wants an interrogation, especially if trapped on a long train journey
But I don't want to put you off either, I've had some really good conversations on trains which probably started with questions like that.
And don't take it to heart if a foreigner fobs you off with one-word answers - they could have just had a tiring day, or be too hot, or just not in the mood - nothing personal
Quote:
57.
Originally Posted by bsprasad That was really informative Nick...
By the way...How old are you....
That was really informative Nick...By the way...How old are you....
(long pause)
But doesn't look a day over 87. :-)
#22 
May 7th, 2010, 04:45 Naan.tering Nabob
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Where are you staying?
How much are you paying?
How long you stay?
When do you leave?
Where are you going?
What's that on your shoe?
What are you looking for?
What do you want?
Do you not like Indians?
Where are you from?
What is your dog's middle name?
Out of the mouths of Kashmiri touts on Janpath.
How much are you paying?
How long you stay?
When do you leave?
Where are you going?
What's that on your shoe?
What are you looking for?
What do you want?
Do you not like Indians?
Where are you from?
What is your dog's middle name?
Out of the mouths of Kashmiri touts on Janpath.
We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time. ~
T. S. Eliot
T. S. Eliot
#23
May 7th, 2010, 05:09 Account closed on user's request
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I always go a bit misty when they ask me "So, do you like India.?"
"What do you like about it.?"
I always have a thousand pictures flash through my head, and I get all choked up.
What is your dog's middle name.??????
That is just weird.
Everyone knows that dogs are very private people, you would never ask your dog such personal questions.
"What do you like about it.?"
I always have a thousand pictures flash through my head, and I get all choked up.
What is your dog's middle name.??????
That is just weird.
Everyone knows that dogs are very private people, you would never ask your dog such personal questions.
Quote:
Yes, You are right. My dog does gives me a wierd look when I ask its middle name
Originally Posted by palerider I always go a bit misty when they ask me "So, do you like India.?"
"What do you like about it.?"
I always have a thousand pictures flash through my head, and I get all choked up.
What is your dog's middle name.??????
That is just weird.
Everyone knows that dogs are very private people, you would never ask your dog such personal questions.
I always go a bit misty when they ask me "So, do you like India.?""What do you like about it.?"
I always have a thousand pictures flash through my head, and I get all choked up.
What is your dog's middle name.??????
That is just weird.
Everyone knows that dogs are very private people, you would never ask your dog such personal questions.
With Warm Regards
B.S.Prasad
Chance Favours The Prepared Mind
Quote:
Originally Posted by nick-h hey, me too! At least for just another couple of months! Good to know that i'm not alone
hey, me too! At least for just another couple of months! Good to know that i'm not alone .
.
.
.
I used to get "What country" so much that I started answering "Alpha Centauri" or "Burkina Faso" or whatever came to mind at the time.
Which invariably elicited a reply like "Yes Burkeenee Fatso, very niiiice country!"
Which invariably elicited a reply like "Yes Burkeenee Fatso, very niiiice country!"
#30
May 8th, 2010, 14:47 Account closed on user's request
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Alpha Centauri is great. I have friends there, The Robinsons.
The one that I didn't like was.." Why are you so fat.?"
"Why are your teeth brown and not white, are you unhealthy.?"
The one that I didn't like was.." Why are you so fat.?"
"Why are your teeth brown and not white, are you unhealthy.?"
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