Being shy keeps many Chinese people from getting to know Westerners. You may feel nervous about making language mistakes in front of a native English speaker.
But remember, Westerners living in Asia know how it feels when trying to communicate in a foreign language. They make many mistakes when speaking Chinese!
So don't worry about speaking imperfect English. The most important thing is just to communicate. Start talking, and make some foreign friends!
Many Westerners value their privacy( 隐私). Don't be surprised if your new friend doesn't want to include you in everything he does. This may seem strange to Chinese who worry that their friends will feel lonely.
Chinese people often expect their good friends to give advice to and take care of them in many ways. If you expect this kind of care from Westerners, you may be disappointed. Why? Because most Westerners value independence. They feel insulted(受侮辱的) if others think they can't take care of themselves. They will assume(假设) you feel in the same way.
Of course, these tips are just rules of thumb(经验之谈)and may not apply to all Westerners. Each person you meet has his or her own ideas about friendship. When you get confused, don't be shy to ask questions. Your new Western friends may also have many questions about Chinese culture , and they may be hesitant(迟疑的) to ask. So encourage them to ask questions, too.
Be honest and open to your friends. Respect each other's differences. The friendship you develop can be lifelong treasure both for you and your new friend.
