I Busted Out Rapid-Fire Mandarin in Chinese Street Market 😲
Go to buyraycon.com/xiaomanyc and use code EARLYBF for 20% off sitewide! Brought to you by Raycon. Today I’m going shopping in Mandarin Chinese in this massive outdoor Chinese market in New York City’s Flushing, Queens neighborhood and then speaking my Uber driver’s language on the way back home!
0:00 Introduction
0:08 Sponsored by Raycon
1:20 Shopping for antiques
2:23 Hardware market
3:10 Buying vegetables in Chinese
4:09 Getting some noodles
5:18 Chinese men offer me cigarettes when I speak Chinese
7:01 Buying more vegetables
7:45 Strangers offers me unsolicited clothing advice
9:56 Getting some fresh soy milk and duck parts
10:40 Surprising my Uber driver by speaking his language
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Thanks to Raycon for sponsoring this video - go to buyraycon.com/xiaomanyc and use code EARLYBF for 20% off sitewide! Also FYI (2:24) turns out purple green beans are delicious!!
yooo
Hope your doing good.
You're one of the only KZheadrs who I actually want to watch your sponsor ad because of your genuine personality
wrong minute mark, but the point stands :p
Would need to try those green beans sometime…
"I only smoke when offered cigarettes by old Chinese men." That's a lesson we should all take to heart.
Im a construction worker in melbourne, aus, im starting to question my decision to decline this exact offer because it was so genuine and it felt like i really offended him...i am a smoker but very paritcular. Sorry chinese homie
and surprisely, everyday an old chinese men offers a cigarrate to him
Never smoked in my now almost 30-year-old life. But if I would manage that, I would.
when i was in shanghai i was given cigarettes as a thankyou it felt for letting people take pictures with me haha
in China it is considered rude not to accept a cigarette when offered... just stick behind your ear and say thanks
The woman who immediately became his mom and was arguing to get him the right size, and making sure he wears warm underwear has my heart ❤😂
Bro she did not hold back whatsoever 💀💀
I loved that bit too . Like a Mum or big sister helping him make the best decision . Slainté Xiaoma
that was his mom
@@prawnstar502 😆
I kinda feel sorry for her actual children 😅 as someone who has a kind hearted & loving but extremely hands-on mum (and me being the rebellious one), it can/is suffocating. But perhaps that's just me.
“I can’t believe he’s haggling in Chinese!” I am SCREECHING ahahahahah
@@Ben-Dover777 bruh he's quoting someone from the video. He even put quotation marks around it. How is that confusing for you?
Time stamp?
@@twilightfuntime6631 3:45
@@SwiKeyMTC thanks
@@twilightfuntime6631 no problem bro
The woman at the clothing stall was SUCH A MOM. Making sure he bought the right size and letting him know, a *small* was not for him. Only the way a mom can!! ❤
Looking fot this comment
I got that vibe too. She immediately adopted him at that moment.
Yeah! I wanted to learn how to say "husky" in Chinese. 😅😂😅
@@JavierArveloCruzSantanaHa si qi
4:43 ‘Hook my guy up with some noodles’ Love it lmao
Yea great wasn’t it 😊
That was love FR FR!
dude knew the assignment, put him on the spot, got his soup and they got their KZhead advertising 🤘
As the lady said, thanks for promoting Chinese culture. I probably wouldn't be studying the language if it weren't for your channel. Gotta love Xiaoma.
It is wise to study the ways of one's enemy.
I started watching him a few years back, and im now have Chineese 3 in HS. Chineese AP looks scary but i'll try haha
RIP Laoshu.
@@TheDogGoesWoof69 what are you talking about
@@archstanton7035 Lmao "the ways of one's enemy". You probably think Panda Express is an uncomfortably "ethnic" dining experience.
I will never get over how incredible it is to see people completely open up and welcome you when you speak their native language. Such a joy to see!
It's humanity at its finest.
I only speak english and spanish, and I experienced the same while traveling Mexico and Colombia alone. People welcomed me into their family. I even ended up attending a woman's 85th birthday party in a small Mexico City apartment. It's truly amazing to be able to speak multiple languages. It doesn't just open a door into another world, it opens a floodgate.
You can tell the woman helping him with the size of the sweatpants is 100% a mom lol Helpful, but honest. Love it
No set up of trying to get them to think you don't speak mandarin and then surprising them with it. Just going straight for it. Love it.
i thought the same thing :)
I love how most of them just answer in their language before realizing they’ve switched lol
Probably because there's no point in him pretending he can't speak mandarin in an NYC Chinatown anymore, there's like a 50/50 chance any given interaction will have bystanders recognising him lol
i mean he still does those kind of videos too where he pretends to not speak and then sometimes he catches people gossiping about him right in front of him in chinese
I prefer these so much better than trying to bait people. I get that those kind of videos might get more views but this feels a lot more wholesome instead of seeming as though he's trying to catch people out or confuse them at first
my favorite thing is when people respond in their native language THEN realize you spoke in that language. it’s so sweet and incredible the way a bilingual mind can work. I wish I had those skills.
Xiaoma's videos are a great motivation to start learning a new language, at least for me. I quit learning Mandarin a few years ago because I felt like I couldn't catch up to the material I was using, but then after watching his videos, I felt motivated to continue learning so I can actually hold conversations in Mandarin.
@@anasazmi8554 same seeing him speak to people in their language got me motivated to learn my own native native so that I could speak to my family who don’t really know English that well
you can, its a fun hobby; im 3 weeks into japanese and its super cool gonna learn mandarin after
Its happened to me so many times when watching korean videos. I remember on reddit someone posted a korean video of a car accident. I understood everything in the video and just ASSUMED i was reading subtitles because i always use subtitles even for english (im korean american and born in NYC) videos/movies/shows. I was trying to comment in the post about a question someone had asking what the people were saying and I was so confused because i understood it just fine. I thought maybe they were playing it on a low volume. And I went to rewatch the video and realized i was just understanding what korean people were saying hahaha.
This happened to me a few days ago. This yt guy spoke to me in fluent Telugu and I responded in Telugu without even realizing. Then I said “wait a second, what the hell” 🤣😭
My favorite parts are 3:45 where he asks "how did it get up to $8" and ehr response being "he's even haggling in chinese" and the woman helping him with the pants at 8:30 and his laugh. Good stuff.
It is incredibly fun to watch, when a shy Chinese person "comes to life" when this guy starts to speak Chinese. It is really fun to watch these reactions :D
I love how Xiaoma doesn't want to offend anyone by refusing a smoke. So polite.
Compromising your health for politeness might not be the best choice. And is it impolite to decline an offer of a smoke
@@bre_me he doesn’t do it all the time so it’s fine and it’s not impolite to not smoke but it’s a friendly gesture
@@bre_me a single smoke every so often is fine. smoking is only bad if you do it often. i would also accept a smoke from an old chinese man lol. it's about respect.
@@mattangrick5446 I'm a very polite person and wouldn't smoke if someone offered me
@@bre_me an old Chinese man only, not just any random. It's considered quite rude not to accept in this instance I believe. From what I understand, it's a great honour to be asked to sit with and/or smoke with an elderly Chinese man.
Xiaoma ripping darts all the sudden is prime
LMAOOOO
Lmao
That was sick asf love xiaoma
Lmao, u can tell xioma ain't no chokin at the smokin
Awesome video as always
Bro you’re the living embodiment of the quote “When you speak to someone in a language they understand it goes to the head, but when you speak to someone in their mother language it goes to their heart” thank you for the amazing content and connecting with so many amazing and interesting people of our world. You’re truly an inspiration
That's a beautiful quote and it's so true
The guys calling you handsome and hyping you up at the hardware table was awesome
That elderly woman calling him a foreigner in his own country cracks me up. :D (Edit: Yes I know she means non-Chinese, doesn't mean it still didn't crack me up)
If it's like some other languages, it's more like „outsider.“ Not really „other“ exactly, but if you like Lost, that might work.
As he says, foreigner is literal, but in this context it's more "Non-Chinese"
I was just about to type 😂
@@Jagjamin Yeah basically like saying Gaikoku hito in Japanese.
@@willvr4 or like saying gringo in Portuguese, doesn't matter where, it means non-Brazilian
I love when people answer back without a thought and then they're like wait....
yeah its funny, they instinctually respond in native tongue and then the shock hits
Yeh when they realise hes some white guy lmao I'm loving his content tho, it would be awesome to wake up and speak every language, It would be great to fuck with people 😂😂😂
His chinese is so good, they hear him and respond then see it was the white guy that said it
Once they realized he spoke their language they helped him haggle to get a better price; showed him where the good foods are; gave him a discount... etc., I love the interaction once they see that they have something in common. Gotta love the people!
It’s beautiful to see the joy people get when they see other foreigners learn their language. Sign of respect.
Whoever it was trying to help you with pants was the best person. She was surprised about your language skills, but she instantly trying to do the real Chinese haggle and "hey, at least get him some shit he can use." In the right way. I mean as much as it seems most people appreciate the effort you've gone through to learn the language, she instantly understood you were a nice guy that learned the language and made it her responsibility to get exactly what as t you needed at the right price. And also kind of teased you for the size. Long story short, as soon as she knew that you spoke the language, she put it on herself to get you the right product and the deal every other chinese person should.
Isnt that what you should do every customer tho.
@@ethosterros9430I know right?!
@@ethosterros9430 they just want you to buy no matter what😂
@@ethosterros9430you would think 😂
6:59 "I only smoke when offered cigarettes by old Chinese men" what a quote
Pretty badass too ngl
it's a privilege few white men experience. become a lingual God like Xiao ma over here
You're a class act, Ari--and cool of you to leave the cigarette in, with the beautiful explanation of accepting a kindness from an elder with gratitude for the offer and good manners. I miss China, too.
I only smoke cigarettes when offered by old Chinese men. That appreciation of a positive moment is spot on. Xiaomanyc's videos always make me feel good about the world.
I like how you didn’t question them at all after the lady said to support the elderly ladies business, despite not needing the tomatoes I’m sure that you paying a bit more meant a lot more for her than the extra change it was for you, always awesome and interesting videos
Yes
That’s almost everything he buys, he’s just out there supporting businesses. A $10 lighter off the side of the street? Come on he’s just being nice and helping out.
@@elflacoaldair he makes money out of these videos remember.
@@ElliotTarrant exactly why he goes out and buys random stuff
@@ElliotTarrantand so do you at your job. What’s your point in pointing out the obvious ? Consider it reinvestment into his business as well as the community. It’s a win win
Seeing people surprised and happy when you speak their native language makes me happy too. Love you Xiaoma.
My journey to learn chinese (even though I will likely never have an actual use for it) began 3 years ago watching Trevor James' Food Ranger channel. Shortly thereafter, I discovered Xiaoma's channel. Three years and a few hundred hours later spent on Duo, Hello Chinese, etc, I have attained enough to watch these videos and understand what is being discussed, even if I cant parse it all perfectly in real time. I'm somewhere between HSK1 and 2... If I had a proficient speaker to practice with I think I would be way further along, but I'm still proud of wht I have accomplished on my own, all thanks to inspiration from Ari and Trevor.
6:08 Didn't knew Xiaoma smokes lol
Cracks me up how speaking someone's language instantly turns someone into auntie/uncle mode, saying how handsome you are and trying to be helpful lol. So wholesome.
I really like this one. These interactions are very atypical and extremely funny. I like how instead of "thank you" or "you're too kind" he says "but I literally spoke one sentence in Chinese" haha
This is probably my #1 favorite Chinese-related Xiaoma video that I've seen! The interactions are so everyday and genuine, and lots of different scenes; it all also flows like a short story, narratively I think this is a really wonderful clip. The exclamation at the end ("What a day!") really felt cool, because it was so true; I also learned a bit more about your background through some of the interactions, which was nice. Kudos to you, Ari, for your inquisitive mind, free spirit and huge heart (and brain) ❤ I'm multilingual as well, and studied English philology, so I appreciate your videos on many levels at once (even though I don't speak half of the languages in them at all)! 😊 Love from Finland, rakkautta Suomesta ❤ (I would be over the moon if you ever tried out any Fenno-Ugric languages, such as Finnish or Estonian 🇫🇮🇪🇪)
i love you man thanks for supporting all the street vendors. each one of those tables are feeding a family
The first lady, I love how she just instinctively responded in Chinese and didn't seem to realise that Xiaoma had switched language for a second
You felt way more relaxed in this video and way more genuine somehow, one of the better videos imo.
I spent my last two years of highschool in Italy and I was fluent when I left but I have lost all of it. I can tell you that native speakers truly enjoy when you just attempt to speak their language. The attempt alone will put you in a lot of good graces with people. I love these vids! They make me smile and I wish I could learn as fast as him.
8:00 lol "you can talk" The rest of us just grunt and bark.
I still never get tired of the "Suprising ____by speaking their language" series. 😊 Continue to support 小马 Xiaoma ❤️❤️
I love how some will just casually speak their native tongue then do a double check realizing the language switched
These videos always put a smile on my face. The appreciate individuals have for you for learning, loving and respecting their language and culture is so beautiful. Its sooo connecting!! Love it!
I absolutely love watching your videos. You have such a natural ability to learn and intonate the native tongue, that is a rare gift.
The dude giving you his best product when he realised you spoke Mandarin had me 🤣
dont worry man, just the way you hold the cigarrette we all know that you dont smoke :D nice video once again man, youre really encouraging me to learn asian languages
Maybe not little kids. They don't understand the rights and wrongs of smoking properly
@@antisolcial Not just kids, non-smokers too. I'm 27 and I had no idea that there was a right or wrong way when it comes to smoking. lol Still, got to agree with you. Kids definitely wouldn't know, unless they have parents who smoke like crazy, that is.
The way people react to you speaking never fails to make me smile lol
These videos are so awesome to watch man, such a gift you have bro! I admire the heck outta you for having such and extensive knowledge of different languages. Keep on keeping on bro!!
I still enjoy these videos the most where you go in to the community and start speaking the language. It's like giving the utmost respect to the culture. Really also like where the lady goes down the street and says how's it going, Xiaoma ?...in Mandarin and in a nonchalant manner.
The clothing advice section was HILARIOUS! 🤣
LOL yo, when that lady with the kid straight up implied he's too fat for a small/medium. So funny.
@@RustyGonzo I think it was just a mum thing tho always making sure you get the extra size, my mum did it all the time so it would last longer.
you never really realize how much of stunted social interaction with foreigners has to do EXCLUCIVELY with the language barrier until it's broken. im ashamed to admit it, but I honestly used to think chinese, indian, arab etc. natives just socialized differently than we do, and in turn they come off as awkward. But it's 100% just the language barrier. The moment you're both fluent in a given language together, they IMMEDIATELY seem the exact same as anyone else.
“I only smoke when offered cigarettes by old Chinese men” Love that 😂 great way of showing respect
10:38 was adorable haha
I liked how you just jumped into speaking Mandarin instead of how you have historically done it. It's a nice spin on things.
Your videos always make me smile. You have so much fun surprising people and they are all so delighted too. 🥰
Been binging these videos all day and it brings me such joy. Just seeing the happiness people of other cultures experience when they see that somebody has made the effort to cross the language barrier. I lived in Spain for 12 years and my Spanish is still terrible but it always made the locals laugh when I made the effort. I can converse in my own way but I must sound like a lunatic to them lol. A little effort goes a long way.
8:05 Nct 127 sticker playing in the back ground🤣
Xiaoma is so friendly to everyone - Love this type of video!!! So entertaining 😆
One of the best vids yet. Always heartwarming
These videos are sole wholesome. They open right up to you when you start speaking Mandarin.
7:50 NCT is everywhere 😼
Yay nct 127 playing in the background at 8:36 💚. I think it's so awesome you're supporting their businesses like this by buying things from them. I love seeing their reactions. It's adorable.
8:00 u can hear sticker in the bg😭
Love this style of video. More please!
Omg not Nct 127 sticker playing at 7:50😭😂anyways these videos always entertain me, it’s just so cute seeing the peoples reactions once you speak their language
I checked the comments to see if anyone else knew the song. 😂
@@rosemacaron I recognize that flute sound anywhere😭😂
"I only smoke when offered cigarettes by old Chinese men" hahahahaha
I have watched a lot of your videos and they are so endearing. My favorite part is how no one is upset and in fact it is quite the opposite. They encourage and are proud of you. They thank you for keeping their culture alive. My heart melts. Atta boy.
I just want to say you are so kind and polite and a big heart we can all see it in all your actions with others you spread much love ..
Our boy got his pockets ran for some purple green beans and tomatoes this time 😂 love the videos man, enjoy all them tomatoes lol
This man’s social score must be crazy good.
Lol!
The way Americans automatically say this shit when someone challenges the western narrative. 🤦
Seriously...Doing better work than Wumao...
Who, the guy who said China is doing a great job getting rid of the (phony) Covid virus?
@@MrLanternland yep
Its amazing the response you get, I need to learn.
So cool to see how happy you made all of these people and how kind they were to you.
These videos will never get old, love the other languages ones but the mandarin surprise videos will always be the best
I do love it when you start speaking to someone then switch to their own language and they reply in that tongue, then suddenly realise what has happened. I've done it a few times with Thai people in various countries and that 'double-take' moment of confusion and then happy surprise seems to be universal 😁
I'm going to show your videos to my mom! She is from Taiwan and speaks Mandarin! She taught me a little bit when I was little, but she was the only one around that spoke the language, so I couldn't practice much and have only retained a few words. You're doing such an awesome job!
I always love your vids. Brings me great joy. You got me into learning a new language. If it wasn’t for you I would be this far in my commitment. Keep up the good work.
7:22 I've seen chinese vendors do this a lot and it seems so rude to me, everyone is struggling gurl like that's ur customer..
Xiaoma love your videos! They inspire me to learn different languages! You’re one of the coolest keep at it much love from NJ! 🤙🏻
7:55 LOL Sticker by nct127 is playing
Stoked to find your channel I love China and Chinese people, I am a kiwi but have travelled there for work and would love to learn mandarin. This is really inspiring me to get on a good language course as I am studying law too and I was so impressed when I was in Beijing at a conference how many Europeans from the Uk who lived in Hong Kong spoke fluent mandarin and Cantonese . Speaking it at home all day must be super helpful too 😊
For some reason these are my favorite type of your videos keep it up ❤
So proud of you 😊❤🕊
what did he do?
So learning another language is what it takes for someone to be proud of me? Wow it was always right in front of me.
@@blandspaghettidinner8949 He speaks many different languages, I'm impressed that he is a polyglot
I cannot get enough of these videos, honestly. Its so funny seeing people react to how good he is at speaking their language
Just imagine how relaxing it is for someone, like the uber driver, to be able to converse in his own language instead of English. I am an American living in Ireland and sometimes find it a bit of a relief to hear an American accent. Not that I am hung up on being American but I realize when I hear an American speak that even though we're all speaking English, I must be working a little harder without realizing it speaking to people with different accents than me all the time. I can't even imagine the drain it can be havng to speak a language other than your first all the time. Actually, I came across your videos when your visit to Moore Street in Dublin video was recommended to me! That was brilliant. I loved the way the Irish appreciated a non-Irish person speaking Irish. They are so used to people either not knowing the language exists, or putting it down as unnecessary.
I love the lady that was like… JUST BUY THE TOMATOES 😂
Poor woman looked homeless. I’m glad that woman behind her convinced him to spare her some money. It cracked me up when they looked at each other and nodded after he caved.
You love the lady that pressured and took advantage of him?
@@raburner3717 comparative to her, Xiaoma is much better off and the amount he paid for those tomatoes is change to him but a meal for her. It’s charity.
this was so fun to watch. thank you for the consistently amazing content xiaoma!
This is so wholesome. Keep it up, dude!
These people are so wholesome! It's really satisfying to see!
Love your videos, you have inspired me to learn new languages the right way and I have been learning Malayalam to speak with friends and what not and it's been great!
8:26 not sticker playing in the background 😭😭
i love the way everyone opens up to you once you start in their tongue ... such a warming experience
This is a great one! They all are but really enjoyed this one lots. Just great what you are doing and thank you for sharing
I would watch one of your videos everyday if you posted daily. Can never get enough of you making peoples day! Keep up the great content!
I don't usually comment on videos but I just found your channel and I'm completely amazed by your talent! I would really like too see you try to learn Farsi for your next challenge :)
Haha it's always - Where did you learn Chinese - Beijing for 1 year - How did you get so good in 1 year - I've studied in America for many years
Your videos always puts a smile on my face. So great when communication isn’t a barrier 👍
Hey Xiaoma, would you ever consider learning Welsh/Cymraeg?
7:40 You got hustled HARD lmao
These videos are doing really well. Happy for you dude
Xiaoma your videos make me so happy. You are so inspiring.
Xiaoma you should do a video where you work at a Chinese food place and take orders in Chinese
That’s called a Netflix show
These videos are always incredible. Always makes me wish I could speak more than one
Awesome video! Thanks!