step daughter jokingly complained that I couldn't speak Chinese. I said "yes I can! Ni hao, tamada, jaiyo, zaijen, shar bi!" She replied " 'Saying Hello, motherfxxker, good luck, goodbye stupid cxxt'. Doesn't really count." Still, it has helped me through a lot of difficult social situations. I believe I was very clearly understood. Still, it is not a 'one size fits all' statement, to be sure. The only time it ever let me down was going through Customs at Beijing Airport. There was a bit of a delay.I did have to go through a full cavity search but at the time I just put that down to the oriental generosity of strangers.