Mandarin Monkey Podcast Why 'How Are You' Fails in Chinese | Bilingual Mandarin Podcast
Dec 12, 2025
Explore why 'How are you?' falls flat in Chinese culture, where food and daily life take priority. Discover the impact of sleep on mood and parenting, and how accents shape identity for bilingual kids. Dive into playful cultural banter, unique greetings, and affectionate family dynamics. Listen to the hosts as they navigate raising mixed-background children and their fun sound guessing game, filled with laughter and surprises!
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Kid Finds Accent 'Cool' In School
- Tom recounts his daughter's friend finding her "cool" because of an accent in Mandarin despite not speaking Chinese herself.
- They discuss how accent and cultural mix can be perceived as interesting by children.
Care Shown Through Practical Needs
- Chinese speakers often show care by asking about food, warmth, and practical needs rather than emotional states.
- Ula explains that asking "How are you?" is too broad; concrete questions like "Have you eaten?" feel more caring.
Affection Norms Are Cultural
- Affection norms differ: public displays like kissing or hugging are less common in Taiwanese contexts.
- Ula notes exposure to an affectionate partner or environment can change personal comfort with displays of affection.