When I’m asked here if I speak Chinese, I always respond with “A little.” That’s not completely true, but I hate to setup expectations. Breaking out my rusty Mandarin has produced some high and low points. For example, while booking hotels yesterday one individual asked if I was from Japan. I took it as a complement. That phone call went much better than one this morning during which the person who originally picked up eventually handed the phone to a friend after it became painfully clear we just weren’t connecting. You win some and you lose some.
Just in case you want to take the plunge and brush up on your Chinese, I recommend Chinesepod. as a good starting point. Oh and don’t forget to read Why Chinese Is So Damn Hard, it will make you come to your senses.
§Commentary