These billionaires' kids are learning something most Australians are not
www.abc.net.au
Rich and powerful families have a strong interest in one particular language, with experts saying it is no surprise given the country's rise.
  • graphito@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    52·
    1 day ago

    It’s like violin classes. Safe but challenging enough to show off to other rich cats.

    If kids don’t plan to work at the mainland, chances are they will never speak at the level and environment where it’s good use of everyone’s time.

    Meanwhile, Chinese would rather you speak English. They probably know English better than clueless foreigner knows their language mindset.

    • timochka@lemmy.zipEnglish
      132·
      1 day ago

      My experience of working in China outside the poster-child cities like Shanghai for over a decade is that practically nobody speaks a word of English.

      So, in a nutshell, you’re talking bollocks.

      • hitmyspot@aussie.zoneEnglish
        21·
        1 day ago

        Yes, which is why they qualified it with saying not useful unless they plan to work in the mainland.

        • timochka@lemmy.zipEnglish
          21·
          23 hours ago

          And presumably, not visit either.

          Try buying a rail ticket, or asking directions, or talking to someone in a shop, or even just telling your Didi driver the last four digits of your phone number because he wants to be sure he’s picked up the right passenger, with the “they’d prefer you speak English” theory.

          And sure, if you’re the kind of dumb yank who thinks nobody will ever need to visit China, you’re probably right - you can stay on your farm in Dumbfuckistan fiddling with your cousin and wondering why everyone you know is on crack for the rest of your life. The rest of the world knows where the future is and it ain’t Alabama.