I am from Germany and I came to Beijing to do an internship at Beijing Review. I have to admit I had little idea of what to expect.

I did not imagine that Beijing would be bigger than New York City, a major metropolis where I spent three months. Beijing is no small provincial town, but the capital of China, an international metropolis, a booming financial and cultural center.

The only reason I was not shocked or amazed when I saw the tall, modern buildings in Beijing was because I had already seen them in New York. I grew up on a farm in East Westphalia and seeing Beijing for the first time produced the same impression I got on seeing New York.

Prior to my coming to China, all the Chinese I met spoke very good English and they told me that English is widely spoken in China. This supported my preconceived notion that half the Chinese people could speak English. I maintained this illusion because I could not speak a word of Chinese and believed I could survive with only my English skills.

After my first contact with the local "Beijingers," I had to revise my idea, which was clearly part of my fantasy, about all Chinese speaking English. My uncle, who spent a year with his Chinese wife and two children in Beijing, explained to me that less than one-third of the people could speak English fluently. I then realized that my wish for a "little English in China" was quite ridiculous. But that is what tourists often expect when they go to a foreign country. They believe that the locals can speak at least English, if not the tourists' own mother language.

However, a guest in a foreign country should, at least, make an attempt to learn some phrases in the local language. By learning Chinese you can have some really interesting experiences and a Chinese is happy if he feels you are interested in his culture. I decided that I would at least try to acquire a basic vocabulary so I could be polite and say "Hello" and "Thank you". I also wanted to be able to tell the taxi driver my destination which would increase my chances of getting there.

The Chinese Government, in preparation for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, is solving the language problem by posting signs in English at all public places. Taxi drivers and salespersons are required to learn a basic English vocabulary for which they must pass an exam. These are just a few changes to help create an international environment in the city.

Westerners, especially blond-haired people, should get used to the fact that people will stare at them and even want to take their picture. Despite the fact that several thousand tourists visit Beijing every year, Westerners are treated as something special. It can happen while enjoying the beautiful "Temple of Heaven", within seconds a little girl is put next to you and a picture is taken before you even know what happened. The people who do this are usually from other parts of the country, from provinces which have not yet been flooded by tourists. Local Beijing residents are totally familiar with foreign visitors. You can easily forgive this sight-seeing-disruption if you admit to yourself that you also love to watch other people and tourists in your home country, even if you do it more discreetly.

In Germany an old wives' tale exists that says all Chinese restaurants cook dogs and cats and Germans eat them without knowing. This is a common myth but people expect it to be especially true in China that cat, dog, and snake are a common item on the menu.

For non-food adventurers, this poses a problem since the menus are written in Chinese and not every restaurant has a menu with pictures which allows you to point to what you want. A simple solution is to partake and enjoy.

Frog's legs and chicken feet are not commonly served in every restaurant even though these dishes are regarded as gastronomic specialities in our neighboring countries of Austria, Switzerland, and France. China offers a lot of different meats and vegetables not found in the German kitchen.

Food is not only a part of Chinese culture, it is also a part of the real Chinese experience. You need to be open-minded when you come here. There is no joy in analyzing every single dish you get. Simply try and enjoy it.

All of the people I have met here, not only my colleagues at Beijing Review, are really nice, friendly, and helpful. If you have any problem finding your way or locating the right bus station, simply approach someone with a desperate look on your face and immediately a horde of people will come and try to help you. The only situation where even Chinese people forget their good manners is while waiting in line or trying to get on an already overcrowded bus or subway. But after a little practice you will learn how to use your elbow as a useful tool.

There are many wonderful experiences in Beijing and each day there is more to discover. The Chinese people reinforce this impression even more with their unique nature and way of life. As a European, of course, you need to get used to some things and conditions. These are part of the country and its culture.

(The author is a German working in Beijing.)