Thaindian News

London, Sep 12 (IANS) With British culture and tradition becoming increasingly popular among the Chinese middle class, staff at Britain’s clubs are now being taught Mandarin in a bid to attract more visitors from China.

According to national tourism agency Visit Britain, the country is on course to become the 14th most popular destination for Chinese visitors by 2014, says the Daily Express.

Now, staff at golf clubs in Britain are being given lessons in Mandarin — the official language of the People’s Republic of China, and one of the six official languages of the UN. They are also being taught Chinese customs and etiquette.

Phrases the staff will learn include “Qing wen nin de pingjun meichang ganshu shi duo shao?” - “What’s your handicap?”, “Yong jiutie hui bu hui bijiao shihe ne?” - “Wouldn’t a 9-iron be more appropriate?”, and “Da de hao!” - “Excellent shot, sir!”

“The Chinese have developed a love for golf and in a tough economic climate, when British golf courses are fighting hard to get new members, we felt it logical to reach out to this new tourist group and make it clear they are welcome at our courses,” an official said.

“This is more than a symbolic gesture. British businesses of all types should welcome the opportunities that are presented by the new visitors. Though there are some fantastic new golf courses in China, we want the Chinese to understand that nothing can come close to playing a round in Britain, the country that invented the sport,” he said.

Golf will be included in the 2016 Olympics, for the first time since 1904.