Alex has the flu, but the doctor didn't give him any medicine—just a strange piece of advice: "Drink more hot water." Is this a medical cure or a scam?In this episode, Alex and Lulu discuss the Chinese obsession with warm water, why ice water is considered "evil" for your body, and the specific phrase that might make your girlfriend angry if you say it when she's sick.

🔥 Key Vocabulary in This Episode:

1.

感冒 (Gǎn mào)

- To have a cold / The flu.

2.

多喝热水 (Duō hē rè shuǐ)

- "Drink more hot water" (

The universal Chinese cure

).

3.

不舒服 (Bù shū fu)

- Uncomfortable / Not feeling well (

The polite way to say you are sick

).

👉 Cultural Insight:

Why "Drink Hot Water" is both a valid health tip in Traditional Chinese Medicine and a dangerous "lazy" response in modern relationships.

Grab your thermos and tune in!

Have you ever tried to split the bill with a Chinese friend, only to have them get angry and push your money away? 💸🙅‍♂️

In this episode, Alex learns that paying the bill in China isn't just a transaction—it's a battlefield! Lulu explains the cultural importance of "Face" (Mianzi) and teaches Alex the physical and verbal skills needed to win "The War of the Bill."

🔥 Key Vocabulary in this Episode:

• 买单 (Mǎi dān): Check, please / Pay the bill.
• 我来 (Wǒ lái): Let me do it! (Shouted while blocking your friend's phone).
• AA制 (AA zhì): "Going Dutch" / Splitting the bill. (Often considered too cold for close friends).
• 下次我请 (Xià cì wǒ qǐng): Next time, it's my treat. (The peace treaty when you lose the fight).

💡 Cultural Tip:

Splitting the bill (AA) is common among young people or colleagues, but for close friends or family dinners, paying for everyone shows generosity and gives you "Face." If you lose the fight to pay, don't insist too much—just promise to pay next time!

Get your QR codes ready... let the battle begin! 🥋

Staring at a 50-page menu full of Chinese characters with zero pictures? Don't panic! 😱

In this episode, Alex is overwhelmed by a text-only menu, but Lulu saves the day with the "Lazy Person's Guide" to ordering. Learn the 3 magic phrases that let you skip reading the menu entirely and still get the best food in the house.

🔥 Key Vocabulary in this Episode:

• 推荐 (Tuī jiàn): To recommend. "有什么推荐？" (What do you recommend?)
• 招牌菜 (Zhāo pái cài): Signature dish. Literally "Signboard Dish".
• 忌口 (Jì kǒu): Dietary restrictions / Food taboos. "有没有忌口？" (Do you have things you don't eat?)

💡 Cultural Tip:

In local Chinese restaurants, if you don't specify your 忌口 (Jì kǒu)—like asking for "no cilantro" or "less spicy"—the chef will usually assume you eat everything and cook it the traditional way. Speak up fast!

Grab your bubble tea and let's practice! 🎧

🚇 Stuck on the subway while the doors are closing?

China's subways are convenient, but during rush hour, they are a battlefield. If you just whisper "sorry," you might miss your stop!

In this episode, Alex learns that being polite doesn't mean being silent. Lulu teaches the "Subway Combo"—the perfect balance between politeness and efficiency to part the sea of people without being rude.

• 不好意思 (Bù hǎo yì si): Excuse me / Sorry. (Polite, but often too soft for loud crowds).
• 借过 (Jiè guò): "Borrow passage" / Let me pass. (The functional way to ask people to move).
• 我要下车 (Wǒ yào xià chē): I want to get off! (Use this as an announcement when the doors are about to close).
• Combo: "不好意思，借过一下" (Excuse me, let me pass a bit).

In Western culture, announcing "I am getting off!" might seem aggressive. In a crowded Chinese city, it is seen as helpful information. It signals to others that they need to make space for you immediately. Don't shove—use your voice!

🎧 Tune in to survive Beijing Line 10 rush hour!

🍱 Ever eaten cold spaghetti because you were too scared to speak?

In this episode, Alex shares his tragic lunch story: eating a cold bento box because he panicked when the 7-11 clerk started speaking fast Chinese.

Convenience store staff in China are efficient and fast. Lulu breaks down the two specific questions you will hear in almost every transaction. Learn how to get your food heated up and how to ask for a bag without freezing up!

• 加热 (Jiā rè): To heat up / Microwave. (The magic word for hot food!)
• 袋子 (Dài zi): Bag. (Remember: plastic bags usually cost a small fee).
• 要不要... ? (Yào bú yào... ?): Do you want ... or not?
• 麻烦... (Má fan...): Please / Trouble you to... (e.g., "麻烦加热" - Please heat it up).
• 慢走 (Màn zǒu): "Walk slowly" (A polite farewell used by shop staff, meaning "Take care").

Chinese convenience stores (like 7-11, FamilyMart, Lawson) are super efficient. The clerks often speak like robots: "Member? Heat up? Bag?" within 3 seconds. Don't panic—just listen for the keywords "Re" (Heat) and "Dai" (Bag)!

🎧 Listen now to master your next lunch break!

Have you ever sat in a busy Chinese restaurant, thirsty and hungry, but felt too awkward to shout "Waiter!"? Or maybe you tried the "polite western nod" and got completely ignored?

In this episode, Alex learns that shouting in a restaurant isn't rude—it's necessary! Lulu breaks down the standard way to call for service versus the secret local way that will get you better service and a warmer smile.

We discuss why calling a stranger "Beauty" or "Handsome" isn't flirting in China—it's just good manners!

• 服务员 (Fú wù yuán): Waiter / Waitress. (The standard, professional title. Perfectly correct, but can feel a bit "cold" or business-like).
• 美女 (Měi nǚ): Beauty. (A friendly way to address young women. Equivalent to a warm "Miss").
• 帅哥 (Shuài gē): Handsome Guy. (A friendly way to address young men. Equivalent to "Buddy" or "Mate").
• 过来一下 (Guò lái yí xià): Come here for a second.
• 麻烦... (Má fan...): To trouble someone / "Could you please..." (Used to soften a request, e.g., "麻烦拿个菜单").

While 服务员 (Fú wù yuán) works 100% of the time, using 美女 and 帅哥 changes the dynamic from a transaction to a friendly interaction. It breaks the ice! Just remember: read the room—stick to formal titles for much older staff members.

🎧 Tune in now to start sounding less like a textbook and more like a local!

We've all been there: You're exploring a new city, you drank too much bubble tea, and suddenly... it's an emergency. 🚨

In this episode, Alex and Lulu teach you the essential survival phrases for finding a restroom in China without losing your dignity. Stop shouting "Toilet!" at strangers and learn the polite, local way to ask for directions.

💡 What you will learn:

• How to politely start a question with strangers.
• Why you should say "Xǐshǒujiān" instead of "Cèsuǒ".
• Basic listening skills for directions (Left, Right, Straight).
• The universal "Cheat Code" if you forget the Chinese words!

📝 Key Vocabulary:

• 请问 (Qǐng wèn) - Excuse me / May I ask...
• 洗手间 (Xǐ shǒu jiān) - Restroom (Polite)
• 在哪儿？(Zài nǎr) - Where is it?
• 直走 (Zhí zǒu) - Go straight
• 左拐 / 右拐 (Zuǒ guǎi / Yòu guǎi) - Turn Left / Turn Right

Did you ask for a Chinese friend's phone number to send an SMS? 📱

Big mistake! In China, SMS is mostly for verification codes or scammers. If you want to make friends, you need to use WeChat (微信).

In this episode, Alex and Lulu teach you the smooth, local way to swap contacts without looking like a grandpa from 2005.

🎧 What you’ll learn in 5 minutes:

• 🤝 The Pickup Line: Don't ask for a number. Say "加个微信吧" (Jiā gè wēi xìn ba).
• 📷 The Scanning Dance: How to ask "我扫你还是你扫我?" ( Wo sǎo nǐ hái shì ni sǎo wǒ?) to decide who uses the camera.
• ✅ The Final Step: After sending a request, remind them to "通过一下" (Tōng guò yī xià) so you can start chatting immediately.

✨ Get your QR code ready and hit play!