The restaurant is upscale with clean, polished trimmings and a rather quiet atmosphere given the place is full. I’m bemused and impressed by the centre section of the tale that rotates to allow food and drink to be easily passed. My colleagues speak little English and I little of their native tongue-which explains at least our contribution to the placid vibe. I’m eating shark fin soup. I hadn’t realised it at first, and I certainly didn’t order it. Halfway through the course, I slurp the tasty broth and casually ask my host, who’s our show runner here, “What is this?” She quickly types something into her phone and hands it to me. The Google translation jumps off the screen like a “Fail” circled in blood red on a term paper.