摘要
The one question I get constantly asked by those who know that I live in China is"How much Chinese do you know?"Ah yes,that old chestnut,the expat's nemesis.Never gets old,does it?My habitual reply involves a woeful confession that for someone who's been here for over a decade with a rather studded(no modesty here whatsoever)career;my Chinese skills could be much better I then blame my delightful colleagues,all of whom,partly thanks to me,speak brilliant English.(It's a public service,really)Naturally,all of this gets a shell-shocked reaction that goes from disbelief to pity in a millisecond.
