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Home Living in China Foreigners in China Foreigners in China Living in China Is Just Like Being at Home
Living in China Is Just Like Being at Home
Foreigners in China

The interview was scheduled on a Wednesday afternoon in Tsinghua University, where Prof. Kim was working as an a visiting scholar. He is a professor of mathematics from South Korea.

On 3:00 pm, I arrived at the west gate of Tsinghua University. On the way Prof. Kim led me to his office, we passed by a big lotus pond. At that time, the blossom season of lotus had gone with the weather of July. There were only green leaves left in the pond. Suddenly,

Prof. Kim said to me: “Isn’t that lotus pond very beautiful?”I nodded.

Prof. Kim went on, “That is what Zhu Ziqing described in his famous essay The Lotus Pond under Moonlight.”

“Wow, the essay is very famous in China. Do you like that?”

“Of course, it is great.”

Frankly speaking, I was surprised. The Lotus Pond under Moonlight was written with high skills of having a good command of Chinese language. For those whose native language is not Chinese, the essay is a text to its meaning, not to mention appreciating its beauty in obscurity and nuance. So it seems that Prof. Kim is quite good at Chinese.

My guess proved right immediately. Prof. Kim talked with me in Chinese. Though his pronunciation was not absolutely accurate, his Chinese was indeed very good. I applauded him sincerely, but he just said his Chinese was not good enough, and there was still large space for further improvement. And he agreed with me that the more you learn, the more you find you need to learn. Learning Chinese is an endless challenge.

As our interview began, Prof. Kim talked more about his experiences of learning Chinese and how he thought of China and Chinese cultures. I was surprised again that Prof. Kim was so familiar with China and Chinese cultures. He talked about Chinese ancient dynasties such as Tang, Song, Ming and Qing. He said he had read the Four Great Chinese Novels in his school days, say,Dream of Red Mansion, Romance of three kingdoms, Journey to the west, and Outlawed brothers. He told me nearly everyone in South Korea might have read these four books.

Though he admires ancient Chinese cultures very much and admits Korean cultures are deeply influenced by ancient Chinese cultures, Prof. Kim insists his country has developed its own cultures and features. He seemed to take great pride in it. Through the interview, I felt Prof. Kim is a patriotic man. He had a deep love for his motherland, and he was willing to introduce his motherland to others.

As the interview proceeded, we came to a sensitive topic, the preservation of cultural and historic relics in China. Prof. Kim said he was quite disappointed to see that the Chinese administration was doing a bad job in preserving historic heritages. It is a bitter fact that heritages reminiscent of the glory of ancient Chinese history and cultures are now gradually disappearing in the course of modernization process. Prof. Kim is a Korean, but he is more concerned for traditional Chinese cultures than some Chinese people.

He talked a lot on this topic. Then to ease off the disturbed mood, we jumped to a relaxing topic. Prof. Kim was very proud that he was capable of enjoying his life in China immediately after he arrived. He had not problem communicating with others. Sometimes he traveled alone to other places in China. He got a lot of fun from it. When I quoted a Chinese idiom to compare his life in China to that of fish in water, free and comfortable. he burst into laughter, and he used another idiom to describe his life in China as comfortable as being at home.

Finally the interview came to an end. Prof. Kim told me he was going back to South Korea on Saturday. Living in China has left him nice memories. He wants to come back in the next summer, maybe in time to see the blossom of lotus.

如鱼得水的中国生活
    金教授是个年近花甲而精神抖擞的韩国学者。我们约在清华西门碰面后,他立马健步如飞地领着我去他的办公室。路上我们经过了一片荷花池,当时正是八月,花已经谢了,只有宽大的叶子浮在水面,迎风微摆。正是水面清莹,一一风荷举。

    我正在享受荷花池给人的清凉视觉,金教授突然手指着荷花池问我,“景色好吗?”
我点点头。金教授又说,“这就是朱自清老先生笔下的荷塘月色啊。”

    当时我的感觉是有些吃惊的。《荷塘月色》是朱自清先生的名篇,里面的文字拿捏很有功底,金教授能读懂这一篇,中文水平可真相当了不得。金教授听了我的话,笑声中不掩得意,但也保持着谦虚,跟我说,要说中文水平,他是远远还不够。汉语之博大精深,要学的东西实在太多了。

    一路上我们就汉语的问题聊了不少,金教授口音不太标准,但遣词造句中却展露出不俗的中文水平。成语,熟语,还有些在我看来都颇为精深的汉语词组,金教授带着韩国口音一一道来。

    在办公室落座后,访谈正式开始。我了解到金教授学习汉语已经有将近六年时间。老先生六年前第一次来中国,感动于中国人民的真挚热诚,却苦于不懂中文,交流不畅,心欲言而口不至。回韩国后,他便下了决心要学好中文。老先生说现在的汉语学习班安排课程很合理,从第一级到第七级循序渐进。我问老先生现在他学到了哪一级,老先生颇为自豪地告诉我,他已经学完了第七级,顺利毕业了。

    我问老先生对于中韩之间文化和习俗上千丝万缕的联系怎么看。老先生说,中韩之间确实有很深远的联系,从唐代开始,韩国便开始接受中国先进文化的输出,深受其影响。但老先生又强调,韩国虽受中国影响极深,但并不是亦步亦趋,简单复制,而是学为己用,并注重发展自己本民族的文化。韩国国土面积虽不大,但历史文化上是多彩的,精神上是自足自傲的。每一个韩国人,都会深爱他的祖国,都会秉持本民族的精神与信念。

    老先生对中国和中国文明也怀有一份特殊而深厚的感情。他告诉我,在韩国,几乎所有人都读过中国的四大古典名著,都了解中国古代的历史,韩国人对中国和中国文化,实在是非常熟知。因为这样,他第一次来中国时,便不觉陌生,反而觉得熟悉而亲切。甫下飞机,他几乎有种分不清自己究竟身在中国抑或韩国的错觉。而这样的亲切感,在远游欧美时便根本无从体会,这是只有中国能给他的温暖。

    然而谈及中华文明,老先生却为中国现今对传统文化的漠视深感痛心。他说每年他来中国,眼见经济腾飞,广厦林立,而传统的建筑却渐渐化为烟尘,传统文化被人抛诸脑后。他满心憧憬去丽江古城感受传统文化的魅力,然而一去之后眼见满城商肆连绵,入夜灯红酒绿,不由得大失所望。老先生讲起这些,嗟叹连连,令旁坐的我也有些愧疚起来。要论对传统文化的了解和感情,国人中怕有许多还不及金老先生。

    为了舒缓略显沉重的气氛,我选择了一个轻松的话题来问老先生。果然老先生一讲起自己在中国生活的点滴,立时眉开眼笑,不掩得意。老先生对中国已十分熟悉,又无语言障碍,平时工作闲暇之余背上背包外出旅行,走南闯北,看遍了中国的山川大河,风景名胜。口音虽不纯正,却没有大碍,反而屡屡被人误会成广东人,老先生说起时也不由开怀大笑起来。
我说老先生在中国的生活可以用“如鱼得水”来形容,老先生听罢又笑,夸我这成语用得恰当,想了想又说,他也想起一句成语,自觉也不错,就是“宾至如归”。我再度感叹老先生中文水准之高,而老先生对中国的感情,在中国得到的美好经历与回忆,也由这一句成语表达出来。从这点上说,老先生的成语比我用得更恰当。

    访谈快结束时我问老先生,周六离京返回首尔后,以后会不会再来中国。他说会的,明年夏天或许就可成行。从北京回首尔,坐飞机只要两个小时,比在中国做跨省旅行还方便些。所以老先生说,从韩国到中国,都不像出国,就像是去隔壁熟识已久的邻居家走动。这样的感觉,好极了。

Z: When did you begin to learn Chinese?
K: About five or six years ago.

Z: That means you have been learning Chinese for a long time.
K: Yes, I have spent a lot of time in it.

Z: Were you driven by interest to begin learning Chinese?
K: Yes, when I came to China about six years ago, I had difficulties communicating with Chinese people. They were so friendly and so warm-hearted, thus I felt very sorry that I couldn’t communicate with them smoothly, for I knew little Chinese at that time. Since then, I was determined my mind to learn Chinese.

Z: Did you learn by yourself? Or did you attend any classes?
K: Sometimes , mostly on weekend,I would join some classes, like Chinese conversation classes.

Z: Have you ever encountered any difficulties in learning Chinese?
K: No, I have not. I proceeded smoothly. By the way, there are some good private institute of Chinese language in Seoul, where I have made step by step progress.

Z: As to Chinese level, which stage do you stay in now?
K: I have already graduated from the 7th level class.

Z: You must be good at Chinese now.
K: Thank you. But I believe there is still big room for further progress. Chinese is such a complicated language. Like idioms, fixed phrases, there are many more I need to study.

Z: As you have learned Chinese well, I guess there was no problem for you to communicate with others smoothly when you came to China last year.
K: Yes, everything was just OK. Besides, as I could also speak English, I will would often use it when my Chinese did not work.

Z: I think you mush have got used to living in China.
K: Of course. I am totally used to living in China.

Z:In my opinion, as China and South Korea are both located in Eastern Asia, they are not only neighbors near each other, but brothers sharing similar cultures and traditions. Do you think so?
K: Of course. The two cultures are so alike. We Koreans are all very familiar with Chinese cultures. As I remember, I had learned a lot about Chinese culture in my elementary school days, like dynasties of ancient China, Tang, Song, Ming, Qing…you name it. After all, China has been the major contributor to Eastern Asia’s history.

Z: But there must be some differences between us, especially in terms of customs.
K: Yes, we have our own cultures and customs. The food and the attitude towards elders, are quite different from those of China.

Z: I find the traditional festivals of Korea are alike to those of China. Have you experienced Chinese traditional festivals?
K: Yes I have. Last year I had Spring Festival in China. There are differences between Korean and Chinese Spring Festivals.
Z: Did you have Spring Festival in the manner of Korean customs or Chinese customs?
K: Chinese customs. My Chinese friends had helped me a lot. We had dumplings and we enjoyed fireworks.

Z: Each year there is an exhibition of Korean cultures in my university. Is there such exhibition in Tsing Hua University?
K: Yes there is. I watched it last year in the exhibition hall of the university.

Z: Nowadays there are constant cultural and commercial exchanges between China and South Korea. And one of the famous cultural product South Korea exports to China is their TV dramas which are popular among Chinese TV audiences. Have you watched TV dramas from your country when in China?
K: Frankly speaking, seldom, for I have got sick and tired of it. But I know it is popular in China. I feel the lifestyle of Chinese people is a little rigid now. And it is the same with Chinese dramas. Perhaps that is why Korean dramas are popular in China. The colorful life, the fierce conflicts, and the expressions of love in the dramas are all attractive to Chinese TV viewers.

Z: In my opinion, if asked to say what can symbolize Korea and Korean cultures or what are vintage those things representative of Korea, I would say football team and the Red Devil cheerers, TV dramas or movies, weiqi and Nongxin spicy noodle. And I want to know what you would say if asked by the same question?
K: Besides those you mentioned above, First of all, Korea has its own language and superior character. The Korean character is distinct and easy to learn, which was admitted by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. We Korean people are all proud of it. And thanks to our character there are few non-educated ones in our country. Almost everyone is well educated.
Beside our character, I would say the climate in our country is very nice. Each season has its own and distinct feature and the natural scenery of our land is very beautiful. What’s more, the water in Korea is clean and clear, which can be drunk without special treatment.
Our country is proud of a long history of over 5000 years including those of ancient ChaoXian and GaoGouLi and our cultures are very colorful. Historic and cultural relics are everywhere. It is known that we have been influenced by China since ancient era, but we have also absorbed the essences of Chinese cultures and then developed our own cultures (just like what China is doing these days by absorbing Korean superior cultures). We did not just do copy work. This is very important.

Z: As you have lived in China for a long time and you are familiar with Chinese cultures, if asked to list what can symbolize China and Chinese cultures, what will be your answer?
K: (hesitating) I am sorry ,but I can not come up with any explicit answer at the moment. China is now totally modernized. When you go out, you can see all people in western-style cloths. Occasionally you can see some girls in Qipao, but that is really rare. Modern skyscrapers are everywhere. Historic relics are being destroyed or even entirely swept away. I feel very sorry for seeing that heritages reminiscent of the glory of Chinese history and cultures are now disappearing in the course of modernization process.
I once went to Taishan Mountain with hopes to see a great historic spot, but I felt so disappointed when I reached the top of the mountain. What I saw were just a line of hotels and shops. And it is the same with other scenic sites. They were already modernized and commercialized. Things that once stood there and reminded you of the Chinese history and traditions have vanished away like smoke now. As I know, a few relics well preserved are, just Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Great Wall.
Another phenomenon which I feel sorry for is that, everyone is learning English. Take a walk in a campus in the morning, and you will find all the students are reading English sentences, no one reading Chinese poems.

Z: Have you ever been to Hutongs of Houhai? The old constructions are comparatively well preserved there.
K: Yes,I have been to. There are a lot of hutongs and courtyard houses in Houhai. But, they are not preserved well enough, some are still gradually vanishing. I think Chinese government should pay more attention to preserving their heritages. Those are invaluable treasures inherited from their ancestors. And once the heritages were destroyed, the ruin is irrevocable.
Every time I came to China, I found that Chinese economy was developing more and more rapidly. But that also meant Chinese traditional cultures were vanishing more and more rapidly too.
I am familiar with Chinese cultures, and we Koreans are sincerely enthusiastic for China and Chinese cultures. Every time I meet Chinese people, I feel I were at home and surrounded by my Korean friends. Several years ago when I came to China for the first time, I became bewildered on getting off the plane. I couldn’t tell whether I was in China or still stayed in Korea, for things were so similar in China and in Korea.
By the way, nowadays many Chinese people come to Korea. When walking in the street, if they don’t speak Chinese, others will not notice they are foreigners.

Z: Sometimes if you keep silent, others may not find you are from Korea.
K: (laughing) Yes, sometimes this is the case. Many people even thought I was from Guangdong province, especially the taxi drivers.

Z: You said Korean food was very different from Chinese food. Then have you got used to Chinese food?
K: When I came to China last year I cooked for myself at home. But this year I will just make a two-month stay, so I have to have meals at dinning hall. I have got used to Chinese food, no problem. But I feel there is a defect with Chinese food. They are always cooked with a lot of oil.

Z: Chinese cooks often emphasize on the taste, and will add lots of oil, salt, and other ingredients into the dishes.
K: If Dishes are cooked with lots of oil and salt, then they might be tasty, but not very good to our health. The set of Chinese course is a bit too much comparing with the others. When Korean people go to Chinese restaurant, they often can't get used to it. For example, we are used to having one or two main dishes together with various kinds of small dishes for the balance of nutrition and a bowl of rice and one bowl of soup. But, here in Chinese restaurant, every kind of food, no matter what it is, is served as a main dish , and what’s more, the amount is too much.

Z: There are many Korean restaurants in Beijing. Have you ever had meals there?
K: Yes,I have. But there is no Korean restaurant near the west gate of Tsinghua University. In Haidian Road and near the west gate of Renmin University, there are some Korean restaurants.
Z: Is the food there in authentic Korean flavor?
K: Not exactly, but almost the same. They are very popular, especially among young people.

Z: Do you go out for recreation or stay at home during weekend?
K: I often go out, either around Beijing or to other provinces. Sometimes I would go to Xiangshan mountain or Shidu. Scenery in Shidu is pretty nice, but the river there has been a little polluted. I feel the management of the local tourist bureau is not reasonable.

Z: You have really been to many places in China.
K: I travel alone mostly by bus or by train. It is convenient. Though I can not speak Chinese very fluently, I have no problem communicating with others.

Z: I feel a Chinese idiom is suitable to describe your life in China. That is as free as fish in water.
K: (laughing) Cute comparison, I like it. I have an idiom too. That is as comfortable as being at home.

Z: You are scheduled to return to South Korea, aren’t you? Will you come to China again in the future?
K: Yes, my plain is scheduled on this Saturday afternoon. I want to come back to China later, certainly. Maybe I can make it in summer next year.

Z: It is convenient to take a fly from Beijing to Korea, isn’t it?
K: Yes it takes only two hours from Beijing to Korea. I can depart from Beijing after having lunch and can arrive at Seoul in time for dinner at home. In China, it takes more than two hours from one province to another.

Z:您的汉语是什么时候开始自学的?
K:大概是五六年前。

Z:这么早就开始学了啊。
K:对,很早就开始学习汉语。

Z:您那个时候是在韩国吧,是因为感兴趣所以开始学习的吗?
K:对啊,我五六年前到中国来的时候啊,跟中国人沟通,有点障碍。中国人给我特别热情,特别亲密的感觉,但是我跟他们沟通,自己一句话也说不出来啊,所以那个时候我下了决心,以后,一定要学好汉语,然后就可以跟中国人沟通。

Z:您是完全靠看书呢,还是会参加一些培训班或者辅导班呢?
K:有的时候,主要是在周末,当然,我会去汉语学习班,参加那个会话班啊,他们会举办一些活动。

Z:那您学习中有没有遇到什么困难的地方?
K:没有特别困难的。现在在首尔有那个很好的汉语学习班,他们的教程配得很好啊,会话班或者读书班是这样的,第一阶段,第二阶段,一直到最后第七阶段, 这样的,这样按照汉语水平,他们安排了教学课程。所以我从开始的那个第一阶段开始,这样下来,慢慢向上的。

Z:现在学到第几阶段了呢?
K:现在我已经达到了那个最后阶段了,最后阶段就是第七阶段,我已经毕业了。(笑)

Z:那您真的学得很好了。
K:但是还不够啊,汉语这么难,成语啊,熟语啊,要学的东西还多着呢。
Z:汉语会让人觉得,越学得深入,要学的东西就越多。
K:嗯,是的。

Z:那您之前就学了汉语,那去年在过来的时候,在这边和人沟通就没有问题了吧。
K:嗯,没有特别的问题,因为我还会英语,如果我汉语不够的话,我会用英语补充我的汉语。

Z:那您一来基本上就能适应这边的生活了。
K:那当然,我完全适应在中国的生活。

Z:我觉得韩国和中国都在东亚,隔得比较近,文化和习俗上也比较接近,您觉得呢?
K:当然了这个,韩国和中国文化,差不多。我们韩国人很了解中国的历史文化。说实在的,东亚的历史主要是中国的历史,在我上学的时候,我们已经学了很多中国历史,以前的中国古代的历史,唐代啊,宋代啊,明清啊。所以我们很熟悉中国的历史和文化。

Z:但也有一些习俗比较不一样吧,特别是生活上的习俗。
K:嗯,当然韩国也会有自己固有的文化习俗。像吃的东西,就完全不一样,都吃米饭,但配菜啊,小菜,吃的办法啊,都不一样。还有像在长辈面前的态度啊,说话啊,很重要,很讲究。
Z:韩国的传统节日跟中国挺像的,除夕,春节,中秋,端午。有没有哪一次,韩国的传统节日到了,而您当时是人在中国呢?
K:哦,有啊,去年我在中国的时候,我在这边过了春节。但是呢,过春节的风俗习惯,不一样。
Z:那您当时是照着韩国的习俗在这边过的春节吗?
K:不是,去年的时候在中国,我的中国朋友帮我在这边过春节,吃饺子,放花炮。
Z:感觉怎么样?
K:中国的春节很热闹啊。

Z:我们学校每年有韩国文化节,展示韩国的文化和特产,清华有这样的活动吗?
K:也有,我去年就看过,清华的大礼堂,去年我去看过那里所有民族的表演,其中就有韩国的表演,舞蹈啊,现在的流行歌曲啊,这样的。

Z:现在中国跟韩国之间,交流特别多,特别是韩国电视剧,在中国很多台播出,很多人喜欢。您在中国看过翻译过来的韩国电视剧吗?
K:我很少看啊,因为我已经习惯了,但是我觉得中国人很喜欢看。我觉得中国现在固有的生活方式,有点四平八稳,太硬了,中国的电视也是,表达男女之间的爱情和家庭里面的生活的很少。所以他们很喜欢收看韩国的电视剧,我觉得现在韩国电视剧里面那种多彩的生活,男女之间感情的表达,矛盾冲突,还有很多微妙的地方,是很吸引人的。

Z:在我的印象中,如果您要我举出几个我认为非常典型的,能代表韩国的东西,我会说足球,韩剧,围棋和拉面以及泡菜。 那如果问您呢?您觉得能代表韩国的事物或者象征是什么?
K:除了你刚才说的那些东西以外,韩国首先有自己的文字,很独特,很优秀的文字。韩国的文字和英国的文字差不多,很好学,联合国教科文组织也承认了这一点。韩文有24个文字,英文有26个字母,所以差不多,韩文很方便,很简单,也很好学习,所以我们韩国人经常对这个感到自豪。而且一般老百姓都很容易学习韩国文字,教育程度很高,文盲是很少的。
还有韩国气候,非常好,一年四季分明,春夏秋冬,所以风景也很好,有山有水,土地的百分之七十都是山地,和我去过的云南地区一样。所以韩国很美丽。水的质量很好,可以喝自来水。比如你进去餐厅,他们首先上来的就是一杯凉水。
还有我们韩国也有五千年左右历史,很悠久的,文化的内涵丰富多彩。到处都有文化遗址,什么宫啊,庙啊,寺啊,所有的山地都有。就像现在中国很受韩国优秀文化的影响一样,当然我们在古代的时候也受了中国很大的影响,比如说明清时代,唐时代很好的中国文化都传到了韩国,我们接受他们优秀的文化,然后自己发展了独特的文字和文化。中国和韩国是邻居的关系,韩国在古代时受到了中国很大的影响,但我们也有自己独特的固有的东西,我们保持了自己的精神世界。这个是很重要(而且难得)的。

Z:那您在中国生活了这么久,汉语又这么好,如果要您说在您眼中能代表中国的典型事物或象征,您会说什么呢?
K:太遗憾了,说实在的,要说代表中国的东西,我现在一下子想不起来。中国现在完全现代化了,北京现在,在街上人们穿的都是西方风格的衣服,当然偶尔也会看到有些女孩子穿旗袍,但那都是很偶尔的。大部分都是现代化的样子,衣服啊建筑啊都是。所以要说代表中国的东西,我觉得太遗憾了,所有的代表传统的东西,都被破坏了。像我以前去山东的泰山,泰山在历史上很有名的嘛,但我到了山顶以后看到,山顶上都修满了宾馆,一点传统的感觉都没有了,以前那种很高雅的风韵,都没有了。所有的观光地都是这样,前几天我去了云南,丽江古城,香格里拉,香格里拉以前是个很神秘很美丽的地方,但现在已经被破坏了,那种神秘高雅,已经没有了。丽江古城也是一样,灯红酒绿,特别是到了晚上,那个唱歌声啊叫卖声啊,到处都是商店街,卖纪念品。以前代表中国的那些高雅的,雄伟的地方,现在都看不见。在我的印象中,只有北京的故宫,长城,颐和园这几个地方,保存得好一点。
还有就是,所有的人,现在都喜欢学英语。要是现在早上到校园里面去,听到的都是学生朗读英语的声音,而没有朗读中国古诗的声音。

Z:去过后海的胡同吗?那边挺有中国传统风味的。
K:去过,胡同和四合院,但是也保存得不好,在慢慢消失。我还去过琉璃厂文化街,还有前门的大栅栏。琉璃厂文化街是专门卖古董字画的,但我去了还是有点失望,保存得不够好。我觉得中国应该好好考虑一下,保护自己有代表性的,传统的文化。每年我到中国来,我发现,中国的经济发展越来越快,现代化的速度也特别快,那也就意味着传统文化消失的速度也特别快。
怎么说呢,我很熟悉中国文化的,韩国人对中国的感情,很亲密。每次我看到中国人和中国文化,好像我看到韩国人和韩国文化一样,很熟悉,真的,一点陌生的感觉都没有。但是我年轻的时候去美国或者欧洲旅行的时候,感觉完全不一样。一下飞机,扑入我眼帘的东西,完全不一样,连天空都不一样。那并不是距离上的问题,而是文化上不一样。我几年前第一次到中国的时候,一下飞机,马上觉得,我到底是到了中国还是在韩国?真的,什么感觉都很像,马上就有很亲密的感觉。
我们在少年时代,我们都学过中国的历史和中国很有意思的故事,像《三国演义》,所有韩国人都读过那个小说。还有《水浒传》,《红楼梦》《西游记》,所有的韩国人都读过。所以韩国人对中国的了解很深。
现在很多中国人来到韩国,当汉语老师啊,做生意啊,都很多。

Z:他们去韩国可能跟您来中国的感觉差不多,一下飞机就觉得很熟悉。
K:是啊,都差不多啊,而且如果他们在街上不说话的话,都分不出来的。

Z:那您有时候出门,要是不说的话,大家可能也不知道您是韩国人吧。
K:(笑),是这样,真的,有时候,别人都以为我是从南方来的,广东来的。坐出租车的时候,很多司机都以为我是广东来的。还有有的时候我出去旅游,在买票的时候,可以得到优惠的。我就在窗口跟人家说,给我半票,然后那个卖票的一看我,中国老年人,连老年证都不要,直接给我半票。(笑)像有的,一百多块的门票,要是能买半票,很优惠的。
所以有的时候,学会汉语,在生活中真的很有帮助。

Z:您说韩国菜和中国菜很不一样,那您在这边吃中国菜习惯吗?
K:哦,我去年来中国的时候,都是自己在住处做饭,但今年来只待两个月,就只能去食堂买吃的。我已经习惯了,完全没有问题。但是我觉得,中国菜有点儿缺点,就是太油腻了。

Z:中国菜是这样子的,讲究口味,所以会放比较多的油盐和佐料。
K:嗯是的,很多菜都是用油炒的,像蔬菜那些,白菜啊萝卜啊什么的,也用油炒。还有就是,中国菜的分量,太大了,像韩国人去中国饭馆点菜,有时很不习惯。比如我的习惯是要一荤一素一碗米饭一碗汤,结果一个肉菜上来,这么大一碗(拿手比划),一个蔬菜上来,也是这么大一碗,吃不完。韩国菜不是这样的,韩国菜是一个主菜,然后免费送很多配菜,这样,有荤有素,营养均衡一些。

Z:您在这边会去韩国餐厅吃家乡菜吗?现在北京的韩国餐厅挺多的。
K:是的,我会去吃的,可惜清华西门这边没有,但海淀南路那边有一家,权金城,人大西门那边也有,权金城,汉拿山。
Z:那您觉得那里韩国菜味道正宗吗?
K:嗯那里味道不错,但我觉得那个老板也不是韩国人,我想可能是去过韩国,然后在那边学的手艺,然后回来开餐厅,这样。那里生意很红火的。

Z:您在这边,平时周末,是喜欢出去玩还是在家呢?
K:我周末一般出去玩,在北京,或者出去旅游,像什么北戴河,秦皇岛。有的时候我去香山或者十渡。十渡的山水很好啊。不过现在十渡里面的那个拒马河,有点脏了,管理不好。如果管理好的话,更好,那里风景真不错。那个野三坡,就在十渡旁边,也很好。

Z:您真的去了很多地方,可以算“中国通”了。
K:嗯我都是一个人出去,很方便,坐火车坐汽车坐飞机,一点问题都没有。虽然我讲话还是一点磕巴,但是那没有什么问题。
Z:您的音调很准的,但咬字有点儿不准。
K:是的,我分不出卷舌音和平舌音来。
Z:那您阅读和写作肯定都没有问题了。
K:嗯是的,我阅读没有问题的,写的话,我如果用笔写呢,会有点草,所以我喜欢用电脑打字,那个比较准确。

Z:我觉得您在中国的生活,可以用一个四字成语来形容,“如鱼得水”。
K:(大笑),这个,你表达得很好啊。我到中国来以后,马上就有个感觉,就是“宾至如归”。

Z:您是这个星期六回韩国吧,以后会再来吗?
K:会的,明年夏天这个时候,想再来中国。

Z:从韩国到中国,坐飞机很方便吧。
K:是啊,坐飞机只要两个小时,我在北京吃完中饭,出发,到了韩国就可以吃晚饭,很方便的。在中国国内,从一个地方到另一个地方,可能还要比两个小时更久。


 

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