Thanks to Babbel for sponsoring the video - start speaking a new language in 3 weeks 🎉 take Babbel's quiz & save up to 60% off your subscription today: bit.ly/XiaomanycAug If you could snap your fingers and magically be perfectly fluent in any language instantly, what language would you pick and why???
I find it fascinating when a foreigner can speak the local language when travelling. The viewer can really see the real personality of the person you’re talking to without the complication of the language barrier. That dynamic of mixing cultures through good communication is enjoyable to watch.
He treats it as a job bc he was pampered his whole life by his parents. So he belittles the average American for not speaking different languages. He was called out before by an older Asian man exactly for this. I have to work every day to survive. Why speak another language when it means nothing to him
@@llamacebu216 When was this? I don't entirely agree because he would never consider what he does to be a full time job, & I've never seen him belittle anybody of any nationality for not being a mf polyglot? I've only seen him encourage & give access to ways to start. Showing his journey & his love for the culture. China's been a huge part of his life since 2009 mate??
I didn't realize she was your wife and I was like "how is he not uncomfortable walking side by side with a random person". I either slow down to let them pass me, or speed up to pass them when that happens.
@@RenoEeker They know, they're saying they didn't realize at first cause she wasn't really acknowledging the camera so it looked like she was a random person in the frame.
Sadly ear cleanin isn't stuff i like to see people doing since unless for medical needs your body never needs one that deep and it can be dangerous, more if done often.
I was walking in a mall in Beijing the first time I saw someone wearing one. I laughed a little too hard because he stopped me and I had to explain why I was laughing at his shirt.
I visited China on business 15 times from 2016 - 2018. I went to Beijing, Dalian, Chengdu, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. It's a beautiful country and the people were absolutely amazing. As I was a senior trainer for IBM, I was treated like a VIP. Most places you paid by WeChat, but there was still a few restaurants and taxi's that accepted cash.
@@Spacemaaan It crazy how some native speakers will hold foreigners to a high standard in speaking their language when they themselves are most likely not fluent in any other language. these are the type of people who only know a few words in English and use them while speaking mandarin to appear more smarter than the rest of their peers.
The translation is not correct. The first sentence she said at 8:12 "我觉得你的中文不够好“ (I think your chinese isn't good enough) but then the second sentence she said 8:31 "对，他的中文比我英文好“ (Yes, his Chinese is better than my English). The other guy started talking when she said the last part of the sentence so it was difficult to hear at first, but after replaying many times I am confident she said this. So yeah, she was in fact very much not saying that his chinese is better than her's (which would be crazy if you ask anyone who speaks Chinese), but she was saying that his Chinese is better than her English, which is actually very nice and sensible. The fact that he didn't translate this correctly (along with a bunch of other parts of the video) goes to show that his Chinese is in fact not good enough! Xiaoma makes cute videos about traveling the world and connecting cultures, but I've also noticed that he heavily overstates his Chinese ability. There are many foreigners on youtube (and many more not) who speak Chinese better than him (actually near-Native level), such as Laoma Chris, whose content is actually tailored to Chinese people. Xiaoma's level is no-where near the "perfect" that he claims, and closer to 50% than 80%, but it provokes impressive reactions from old Chinese people because the standard for foreigners speaking Chinese is so low to them. He can say like two words and they'll shower him with praise. Compared to foreigners who have actually spent years getting close to mastering Chinese, his is not as impressive as it may seem. So this is not to hate on Xiaoma - like I said I think his content promotes cross-cultural understanding - but you can clearly see that he's not the most humble person and will make false claims to get more views. And it is in fact the people in this reply section throwing shade at the woman, making assumptions about her character that are gulping the haterade.
Hey I have not seen any of your videos in like 2 years and the change you've gone through is amazing, completely different person! Well done and keep it up dude, much love!
Absolutely great video. Been a fan of your channel for years and have enjoyed watching your 'evolution'. Very cool to see your wife enjoying her homeland also!
I moved to my workplace earlier this morning for 8 hours. A lot of my day was spent there. Moved back to my house after. Plan on doing it again in the future
learning the language of another culture is the greatest respect which can be given. you are a great ambassador for all americans (and westerners in general). love your movies, can't wait for more china content
Fully natural pearls are incredibly rare and usually only happen when an oyster has been infected with a parasite that drills through the shell in the right spot and also survives (which is not very common at all). For the past 200 years+ most pearls are farmed. They place a small bead in the young oyster and then place them back in the ocean (usually on long lines), and then after one or more seasons they retrieve the oyster, and it has coated it with the same compounds that make up the inside of its shell. The entire grain of sand irritating the oyster thing is pretty much a myth.
@@finjibuns Nah the whole thing is probably fake, pre-assembled, even the woman selling them was like "are you sure there isn't anything else", most likely already knowing there was still a pearl left.
indulging in tourist stuff is so freeing. people get obsessed with "blending in" on vacation, which is never truly possible, and its just a weird anxious time.
Regarding the ear-wax thing... unless you have an extreme build-up, you shouldn't get this done. Ear-wax serves an important purpose protecting you against infections. For the vast majority of people, just scratching the inside of your ear with your fingertip in the shower will be enough.
And for the rare few that is not enough for, it's much better to just use an earwax vacuum or a metal scoop than it is to get regular professional cleanings. You don't want to remove everything, just prevent heavy buildup.
I get extreme buildup and have to have it removed by my physician every time I go to the doctors office. I think a one time cleanse is fine if he aint doin it often
@@vodkastudios4170 Maybe the outside area? But Q-tips can just push the earwax further in and create other problems, is why medical experts recommend against.
Looking forward to lots of posts Xiaoma. I went to China a couple of times for business 2018/2019 BJ, Taiyuan in Shanxi and Yiwu & Shanghai. Beijing was definitely a favourite and this video takes me back in a Heartbeat. I found the people everywhere so hospitable and so it's great to see your conversation with locals in Chinese that adds even more of what I already felt of their nature, humour and humanity. Thank you
The state department puts that warning on any country that has ongoing diplomatic restrictions or that has passed a certain level of risk of potential hostility between countries. This is mainly because the US-China relationship is in this unmoving low level of tension. It's not likely to change at all, but it can cause inconvenience (e.g. China has just arbitrarily revoked US visas in the past with little to no warning). So they are basically just saying 'Hey if you do there, and plans change, US embassies won't have much political ability to change that for you'.
I think he is safe of that 😂 China values any foreigner that helps it's image abroad. and he's showing china's fun and good side. the people are friendly though and it's safe to visit
@@wanderer5581 It's still there from the March 28, 2020 to the 2023 period of tightened foreign entry restrictions. The travel warning has been officially listed there since March of 2020. Most of these restrictions were lifted in early 2023, but I believe the US waits for multiple years after policy changes to lift warnings.
Enjoy your time back in China, Ari. Looking forward to seeing more videos while you’re there. I hope you’ll do some authentic Chinese cuisine videos. By the way, you look terrific!! Congrats on the weight loss.
<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="444">7:24</a> The woman is salty because no one praised her basic English skills but everyone immediately praised Xiaoma's much better Mandarin skills 😂 EDIT: Thanks to user 'alandeutsch' for the following comment and 'mirojone' for bringing it up, I revoke what I said in my previous comment due to the following information: "The translation is not correct. The first sentence she said at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="492">8:12</a> "RT" (1 think your chinese isn't good enough) but then the second sentence she said <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="511">8:31</a> "对,他的 中文比我英文好“ (Yes, his Chinese is better than my English). The other guy started talking when she said the last part of the sentence so it was difficult to hear at first, but after replaying many times I am confident she said this. So yeah, she was in fact very much not saying that his chinese is better than her's (which would be crazy if you ask anyone who speaks Chinese), but she was saying that his Chinese is better than her English, which is actually very nice and sensible. The fact that he didn't translate this correctly (along with a bunch of other parts of the video) goes to show that his Chinese is in fact not good enough!"
Yea, I agree. I study Mandarin in Hangzhou. I'd say there are quite a few 老外 here who speak much better Mandarin than this guy. In fact, the "surprise a local with my Mandarin skills" is becoming peak low self-awareness.
@@promit3s See it as getting a local tour guide at the same time. I wouldn't get on myself, but they charge this level of fees in Singapore for the same thing as well. Usually they charge by per pax.
Stop hating... Great video. Please be careful over there these days. People learn to understand what they miss when there gone. For those of you who have never been out of the country it's an amazing journey.🎉
The look on your wife's face when she drank the tofu juice was priceless. Be safe and have a great time there Ari. Cant wait to see China from your prospective.
I'm glad you did this video. As someone who goes to Mexico quite a bit and with the US having travel advisory for obvious reasons. Every time I go to Mexico my family and I have a wonderful time there :) Hope you and family are doing well!
Psyched that we will get a month's worth of content where speaks Chinese to natives. It's cool that he learns other languages, but I like it when he speaks Chinese. That while always be his bread and butter.
I love that in whatever country you're in, there's a Karen ready to say something. It doesn't even bother me, because it's my mother and grandmother too. 😂 Just let it roll off your back and have fun!
My boy is now finishing his last year of college at NYU Shanghai, and as a fellow Jew, it warms my heart to see your pathway in life. He skateboards, and his casual photos with his crew there makes it all real to me, just as does your video here, and the next one. Thanks, from my den in NY!
I think with all the political and hyper nationalism going on in the world that it is refreshing to see you interacting with people from China, who have many of the same every day concerns as Americans - earning money, raising a family, and enjoying life.
What I’ve learned over the past few years and during these olympics is that so much of the bad sentiment towards china and its culture is just propaganda, and that visiting is an amazing experience
This was a fascinating video haven't watched your vids in a while but this one was quite enjoyable. I'll have to start watching again and do some catching up..
thank you the clip xiaoma, I have started back my journey to learn Chinese, since I've lived in china back in 2009 like you did, things did shake up back there, going paper-less on their purchases, this clips and others shed some light to us on how things are going for the laowai ren like us, keep this content up, I am loving it!
Dude moved to Jersey. Let him own reemeersing, in a place and, culture he loves so much. When you travel to a place that just feels right, even just a month can feel like a lifetime.
@I.I.I....IoI....I.I.I Ok but real talk, why did you choose a dictator, of all people, to draw a comparison to Xiaoma...? He's just a content creator. I don't think someone else having a different opinion than me about a parasocial perception makes them have "zero logic or intelligent thought," so you might have to reflect within on why you found yourself insulted by this guy's comment.
@I.I.I....IoI....I.I.I tell me you have never been passionate about something, or somewhere... Without just telling me you're disappointed with your life. Maybe you should "move" somewhere new.
@@-_REDACTED-_ He's not making a comparison to Xiaoma. He's using someone that he knew the OP would not like and is saying you wouldn't make excuses for this kind of behavior when it's someone you don't like.
I like how your wife comes into the ear cleaner shop just ignoring you, thinking probaby, oh so what, I've seen all his other crazy videos in NYC when he gets tortured by massage therapists and other silly adventures! heheheh
It has been a while since I've watched any of your vids (I know, shame on me!) but WOW man, you look amazing with the weight loss! Keep up the amazing work!
I've watched travel vloggers for you but have never included you in that category until today. The big difference is you speak the language. Could really make a lot of content out of it. Also love seeing the family. Been watching for years big fan.
Your wife is looking after you about the ear cleaning thing. Our ears are like self cleaning ovens. :) Sometimes issus do occur, ear infections and stuff, but the vast majority of people have no need of regular ear cleaning.
I understand your 'Rationale,' but the comparison still makes me cringe 😖 COULD I ear G n R🌹🌹🎸🎶 in the background, while the earwig woman was sorting X♂️NYCs wax out?
Awesome that your are revisiting China! I am seriously considering it myself after 9 years. I have studied almost 3k words in the past month. I probably go in December. By then I want to have studied 7.6k words. But probably way earlier so I can also work on my speaking/listening. So this video series came at a great time! Have fun 兄弟！
I've been to Beijing several times. I managed the first natural medicine clinical trial in China. The people were lovely. One young lady said I look like a movie star 😊
Holy harsh criticism Batman! Why all the hate about the video title? I’m a Xiaoma fan, and I click on and enjoy ALL of his videos and don’t give a damn what the title is. Some of the best content on YT. Calm down people!
Arie, you should the U.S. Ambassador to China, not just because of the language and culture but you seem to know how to get along with everyone. I'm sure the Grandparents are thrilled.
