Originally Posted by daniellam (Post 17215494)

What about CBCs (or ABC, BBCs) like myself who have little or limited knowledge of Chinese characters?

It is not uncommon for certain Asian travel agents in Canada/US to offer certain promotions that you won't find on the English version of their websites.

I was recently informed by some colleagues who can read Chinese characters that a certain travel agency is offering 12 day land-only packages in China for only CAD 199/pp!

Originally Posted by Guy Betsy (Post 17211978)

Anywhere outside of HK/Taiwan, only the simplified characters are used and taught.

Originally Posted by m.y (Post 17213465)

How is that a fact? Since only traditional Chinese is taught in HK and most signs and publications are in TC. Like Mainlanders and Taiwanese, HK people would have to learn the other character on their own.

The difference between SC and TC is not that great, as many SC are simplified using same rules. One can also guess the odd ones using context of the sentence.

How do you extrapolate one instance of one mainlander who didn't know how to fill out Custom Form to make conclusion a whole population? What about the other Mainlanders on the flight who knew how to fill out the form? Sometimes new travelers who are native English speakers have trouble filling out Custom Form too.

Originally Posted by garykung (Post 17219060)

Let's just say that I know enough Mainlanders and Taiwanese to come to that conclusion.

The Custom Form is issued by CBSA (in English and French).

Originally Posted by m.y (Post 17219219)

That doesn't make it a fact, I know plenty of Mainlanders (in mainland and in North America) who can read TC just fine. I don't know any Mainlander who can't read the subtitles in HK movies, or KTV lyrics (often ripped off from Taiwan).

Originally Posted by garykung (Post 17212822)

As a fact, only Chinese-decent from Hong Kong knows both.

Mainlander and Singaporean mostly don't know TC. Taiwanese don't know SC.