Where i used to work we had a lot of Chinese students in the city, with varying degrees of skill with English. No problem, English is my main but also not my first language. This story is from about 20 years ago.

A customer comes in for help with their computer. I ask my troubleshooting questions to triage the problem.

"My computer can't connect to the Internet"

OK what happens when you try?

"Nothing"

At home, at work?

"At home"

Have you checked all the connections?

"Yes"

Restarted everything? PC, router?

"Yes"

Have you contacted your ISP?

"Yes"

And?

"No problem"

OK do you see link lights on the network socket?

"Yes"

Is it just websites? Are you having problems with email, MSN messenger or Skype or any other chat clients?

"Yes"

(We are at this for a good 10 minutes but I'll skip the unnecessary bits)

Have you tried a new network cable?

"Yes"

OK bring it in, we can test it here for you.

"Oh but it works in Starbucks"

What? You mean its a laptop? Wireless?

"Yes"

And you connect wirelessly at home too?

"Yes"

But you said.. the cable, the link lights?

"Yes"

And then it hits me. Waves of memories wash over me. My Japanese father talking to clients, head bobbing up and down constantly nodding and bowing.

"Hai, hai, hai, haaaa, hai, hai, kashikomarimashita"

Yes. Yes. Yes. Oh yes. Yes. Yes. I understand.

Yes in japanese doesn't necessarily mean "correct". We say it to show we're listening and being attentive, following the conversation. Yes doesn't always mean "yes that's right", it can means "yes please continue". And now I assume its similar in Chinese too. Like in English you might say "aw yeah! Aw hell yeah!" while listening to a story.

Right. Forget everything we've just said and start from the beginning.

Can you see your SSID in the list at home?

"Yes"

(Fuck. Thats on me)

And what name is your SSID in the list when you connect at home?

"[ISP]-XYZ123"

OK good and...