If you speak to a Chinaman in a way that transgresses the code, he will laugh, because your words must be taken as spoken in jest if they are not to constitute an offence.

• 如果你用违反中国道德规则的方式和一个中国人讲话，那他一定会嘲笑你；如果中国人不想把你的行为看作是一种冒犯，那你的话必定被他们当作了笑料。