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I encountered a misunderstanding today due to my poor Chinese language skill. What could I have done better?

I was standing in a German hospital and a native Chinese asked me if I wanted tea or coffee - both being offered by a third party, namely the hospital nurse, coming with a tray. I opted for coffee. She expressed the assumption that I didn't like drinking tea, so I felt forced to clarify what politeness would otherwise have kept me from saying. Tea (mostly Chinese tea) is very important for my family and I delight in its preparation. I wanted to make clear that I can drink mediocre coffee but not mediocre tea. I used Chinese, to avoid the hospital people understanding the criticism of the tea. I said

我不喝這種茶（就是用茶包泡的茶）。對我來說茶不只是一個飲品而已，就是一個生活方式。

But she understood the exact opposite of what I meant. Only after saying:

我習慣了喝不怎麼樣的咖啡，就不能習慣喝不怎麼樣的茶

did I manage to convey my message. What were my mistakes?

Ludi
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    "我不喝這種茶。對我來說茶不只是一個飲品， 而且是 一個生活方式。" and "我習慣了喝不怎麼樣的咖啡， 但 不能習慣喝不怎麼樣的茶。" sound more logical and grammatical—though, I don't quite understand the meanings of "so I was forced to clarify what politeness would otherwise have kept me from saying" and "only after saying". Anyway your expressions are understandable, but there may be a problem (just a reminder, maybe not your case): when being a guest, in Chinese culture, one would better avoid criticizing what the host prepares for them—because it's not so polite. – Stan Jul 19 '15 at 11:43
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    I don't get why you were forced to do anything. Just say you want coffee and leave it at that? – Lightness Races in Orbit Jul 19 '15 at 14:33
  • @Stan I fully agree to your advice . Actually this is closely related to the parts you wanted me to clarify. "so I was forced to clarify what politeness would otherwise have kept me from saying" means this: although the tea and coffee where offered by the hospital and we are both patients, I didn't want to criticise the tea. But when she assumed that I don't like drinking tea, I felt forced to clarify. It would have let to confusion later, as my entire 微信相簿 revolves around 奉化曲毫茶， 普洱茶， 鐵觀音⋯ – Ludi Jul 19 '15 at 14:40
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    @Stan is the second point clear with the current punctuation? – Ludi Jul 19 '15 at 14:54
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    I second to @Stan and I would further clarify that in Chinese culture, if you want to be polite, either take the tea as a gesture for both gratitude for the person and likeness for tea in general, or just take coffee and don't say anything. The conscious decision to not clarify is considered a good thing. – NS.X. Jul 19 '15 at 23:52
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    @NS.X. thank you. I, too, was raised like this, but I was not aware that it extended to the case of talking about offerings by a third person. Thank you. – Ludi Jul 20 '15 at 05:37

1 Answers1

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I think your Chinese counterpart got confused because you mentioned the importance of drinking tea as part of your lifestyle, yet refusing the tea she offered. Your subsequent clarification on your preference to drink mediocre coffee rather than mediocre tea helps clear the air.

You could have expressed it unambiguously in this manner:

我对喝茶比较讲究，咖啡就好。
I am more particular with my tea; coffee will do.

To further elaborate, then you say:

茶不只是一种饮品，对我而言，是一种生活方式。

杨以轩
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