That was my fault, I didn't mean to say that all chinese-americans and chinese-canadians spoke chinese. I was referring to the people who actually do speak chinese.

Out of curiosity, does anyone happen to have a rough estimate of cantonese versus mandarin speakers in these kinds of areas?

Most of the Chinese Canadians I know are Cantonese speakers. Did you think all Chinese Canadians/Americans came from the same part of China? Of course not. I'm sure if you do a search you might come up with some statistics that answer your question.

After about 30 second on google: As Mandarin language becomes standard, Chinatown explores new identity. Reports 30% in Chicago speak Mandarin vs 70% for Cantonese. Without any stats to back me up, I think the number is higher in SF, much higher in LA, and lower in NY. No idea about Canada.

Also, the article is WRONG WRONG WRONG when it equates Mandarin with simplified versus Cantonese with traditional characters. Simplified vs Traditional refers only to the written form, not the spoken form. Simplified is used on Mainland China and Singapore, Traditional is used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and most overseas Chinese communities.

If anything, I'd say they were probably entertained by the fact that you even attempted to speak Chinese.

I would say you are over thinking things a bit.

First if the local community was celebrating Halloween, as merchants they were probably familiar with the custom of costumes even if they were not participating. I doubt they would have given a kimon a second thought beyond maybe noticing the fabric or how well you had succeeded in the image you were trying to portray.

Second, nihao (despite the linguistic discourses) is the one word of Mandarin that even when poorly pronounced by a foreigner while bowing, most Chinese living outside the Chinese mainland would understand. No matter how bad you butchered it, they would know that you were attempting a friendly greeting.

Now if you had gone in on just a random day, in western street clothes and greeted them with konichiwa, then you might have sensed some tension for apparently mistaking them for being Japanese.

At the very worst they may have thought you silly or funny and laughed at you, but surely not been offended by your gesture.

The wrong recognition of the foreigner for GEISYA.


GEISYA does song and dance for business.

MAIKO is a young dance girl.

OIRAN is lorette.

Many foreigners cannot tell the difference between these.
A Chinese and the Korean think GEISYA to be be a prostitute.

It was haunted a foreign tourist, and, in Kyoto, MAIKO on the way which faced OZASHIKI was behind with MAIKO at the appointed time.
This becomes the issue of trust for the client of MAIKO.

The foreign tourists protested a tour guide.
"Service of MAIKO is too bad"

MAIKO is not a tourist hostess.

PH-AIL. stop with the generalisation of races, people. just stop it.

thx everyone about the anwers!!!you really help me not to feel guilties!!!LOL!i just feel a little stupid of over thinking it LOVE YA ALL!!! XD:vsign:

Oh really, don't worry, I'm100% sure they weren't offended. I hate the disputes between Asian countries - the past is the past : ).

OK, the Nanjing massacre is a sensitive issue still, yet I think Japan, China and SKorea, Nkorea should help each other out ^^.

hum...
i'm personally never really offended when people try to speak chinese to me....
honestly it comes off as more annoying than anything else...
and very rarely do i ever find it humorous~

but then again, living in the area i do... the people who try to use it are either trying to be silly or are a little over-enthusiastic about cultures...
either way... i personally don't find it all too pleasing >.>'