In a world full of bite-sized updates and trending topics, taking a moment to really listen feels like a superpower. French sinologist Benoît Vermander believes dialogue is the key to bridging gaps when misunderstandings run wild. 🤝
Benoît Vermander, a French sinologist and professor at Fudan University on the Chinese mainland, has been exploring Chinese culture for nearly 50 years. It all began with a museum visit in Paris around 1976, back when disco hits topped the charts and Rubik's Cubes were the next big thing.
He dove deep into classical Chinese, anthropology, and philosophy, creating a cross-disciplinary research path that still inspires him today. For Vermander, real dialogue isn’t just about mastering a language—it’s about listening with respect, staying curious, and giving relationships time to grow. 🔍
'Real friendship, real understanding takes time.' – Benoît Vermander
Amid global tensions and spotting misunderstandings between countries and cultures, he says genuine conversation needs to be rebuilt again and again with patience. Think of it like leveling up in a game: each new stage requires effort, trust, and a willingness to learn. 🎮🌍
In early 2026, his reminder to pause, listen, and connect is more relevant than ever. Whether you're networking, studying, traveling, or DM-ing a friend, slowing down to hear each other can open doors no algorithm can predict.
Reference(s):
Benoît Vermander: Dialogue is crucial in times of misunderstanding
cgtn.com
