Is just such a shock from being in China. Just got harassed and essentially threatened for being a socialist. They searched my bags and commented on my China flag and my little red books and my copy of Blackshirts and Reds. Fucking police state. The security in China is strict, but they don’t give a fuck about your thoughts, whereas this guy was very aggressive about “consequences” for being a socialist.
I am horrible and most people can’t understand me so I just stopped talking mostly haha. I can understand low level conversations, and enough to get through simple interactions, but going there was definitely a crash course in sucking ass, and I plan to get a private tutor and really buckle down now that I’m back. I’ve gotten pretty good at reading, and I can test at like HSK 2/3 minus writing, but my listening skills and talking skills are so mush, despite what the apps told me. Even HelloChinese, the best gamified app, gave me way more confidence than I should have because they have everyone speak slowly and clearly, whereas everyone in the mainland speaks quickly, with accents, and sort of slur their words together making it hard to tell where they stop and start or what tone they’re using.
It was basically like blahblahblahblah 需要这个blahblahblahblah开始了blah blah blah. And then I would look at my wife like a lost puppy and she would translate for me haha.
I had been doing 1-3 hours a day on apps for 200 days by the time I got out there. Definitely not enough.
If I recall right from some language studies on the effectiveness of those gamified apps, you’re usually better off with a night course at a community college. I’m really impressed with your dedication!