Comments on: The Chinese Stare http://www.teachabroadchina.com/the-chinese-stare/ A Comprehensive Guide for Teachers Living and Working in China Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:22:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Jason http://www.teachabroadchina.com/the-chinese-stare/#comment-1571 Jason Sat, 07 Jun 2008 00:46:39 +0000 http://www.teachabroadchina.com/the-chinese-stare/#comment-1571 Stares I can deal with, touching and talking crap I cannot. As i've mentioned before, going out by myself the stares are generally curiosity. I have to agree with FiltyLauWei's comment. I have experianced the same crap, as I'm also blonde and 2 times the size of the average Chinese. But my wife is Chinese, when we go out together usually the stares turn from one of curiosity to disgust. Mr. Vance I know you love China deeply, but sir I have been to many countries in my life, and this is by far the most racist of them all. My attitude as of late has turned from mild annoyment to complete rage. Good thing Im going back to the States in 13 days. I plan to never set foot here again. Stares I can deal with, touching and talking crap I cannot. As i’ve mentioned before, going out by myself the stares are generally curiosity. I have to agree with FiltyLauWei’s comment. I have experianced the same crap, as I’m also blonde and 2 times the size of the average Chinese.

But my wife is Chinese, when we go out together usually the stares turn from one of curiosity to disgust.

Mr. Vance I know you love China deeply, but sir I have been to many countries in my life, and this is by far the most racist of them all. My attitude as of late has turned from mild annoyment to complete rage. Good thing Im going back to the States in 13 days. I plan to never set foot here again.

]]> By: Robert Vance http://www.teachabroadchina.com/the-chinese-stare/#comment-1463 Robert Vance Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:26:16 +0000 http://www.teachabroadchina.com/the-chinese-stare/#comment-1463 @FilthyLauWei, Thanks for your comments. I have also heard stories of foreigners being touched in China, especially women. I am always surprised when I hear these stories because I would think that at least people would grow up in China knowing better than to touch complete strangers. I can see why that would be annoying. I have never been touched by an adult but I have had some beggar children hang on to my legs (one on either leg). While I find that incredibly annoying I try to be gentle as I push them off. @FilthyLauWei,

Thanks for your comments. I have also heard stories of foreigners being touched in China, especially women. I am always surprised when I hear these stories because I would think that at least people would grow up in China knowing better than to touch complete strangers. I can see why that would be annoying. I have never been touched by an adult but I have had some beggar children hang on to my legs (one on either leg). While I find that incredibly annoying I try to be gentle as I push them off.

]]> By: FilthyLauWei http://www.teachabroadchina.com/the-chinese-stare/#comment-1462 FilthyLauWei Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:50:23 +0000 http://www.teachabroadchina.com/the-chinese-stare/#comment-1462 Frankly I don't think many of them see westerners as human. I'm blond and at least twice the size of most locals here, so I attract lots of stares. I can live with stares no problem, but I'm getting sick of being poked at and touched. I have been in Jiangsu for three months now and twice I have had total strangers walk up, grab my arm and examine my bicep like an interesting piece of meat. My girlfriend (a westerner too) told them in Mandarin each time that I didn't like it and was getting angry, but that only resulted in a moment's pause. When I yanked my arm away, they seemed shocked that I would object. Frankly I don’t think many of them see westerners as human. I’m blond and at least twice the size of most locals here, so I attract lots of stares. I can live with stares no problem, but I’m getting sick of being poked at and touched. I have been in Jiangsu for three months now and twice I have had total strangers walk up, grab my arm and examine my bicep like an interesting piece of meat. My girlfriend (a westerner too) told them in Mandarin each time that I didn’t like it and was getting angry, but that only resulted in a moment’s pause. When I yanked my arm away, they seemed shocked that I would object.

]]> By: Winter http://www.teachabroadchina.com/the-chinese-stare/#comment-754 Winter Fri, 09 May 2008 12:25:24 +0000 http://www.teachabroadchina.com/the-chinese-stare/#comment-754 “If a ET show in New York…” In New York? Who would notice? He might already be living there for all we know! haha...I see.. “If a ET show in New York…”

In New York? Who would notice? He might already be living there for all we know!

haha…I see..

]]> By: FOARP http://www.teachabroadchina.com/the-chinese-stare/#comment-615 FOARP Thu, 01 May 2008 11:03:18 +0000 http://www.teachabroadchina.com/the-chinese-stare/#comment-615 "If a ET show in New York…" In New York? Who would notice? He might already be living there for all we know! “If a ET show in New York…”

In New York? Who would notice? He might already be living there for all we know!

]]> By: Jason http://www.teachabroadchina.com/the-chinese-stare/#comment-603 Jason Thu, 01 May 2008 02:36:04 +0000 http://www.teachabroadchina.com/the-chinese-stare/#comment-603 After about a year here, you get used to the stares. However at first it was very difficult to deal with. Often times making me really mad. I am 6'1" blonde hair and green eyes, so I begain to learn quite bymyself the Chinese had no ill intent, just plain curiousity. Not to mention I have many tatoos that only add to their curiosity. After 3 years I am no longer bothered by it, and rarely ever pay attention to them staring. After about a year here, you get used to the stares. However at first it was very difficult to deal with. Often times making me really mad. I am 6′1″ blonde hair and green eyes, so I begain to learn quite bymyself the Chinese had no ill intent, just plain curiousity. Not to mention I have many tatoos that only add to their curiosity. After 3 years I am no longer bothered by it, and rarely ever pay attention to them staring.

]]> By: Winter http://www.teachabroadchina.com/the-chinese-stare/#comment-392 Winter Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:59:01 +0000 http://www.teachabroadchina.com/the-chinese-stare/#comment-392 If a ET show in New York... I can imagine how many stares he/she will get.. Just curiosity ... If a ET show in New York…
I can imagine how many stares he/she will get..
Just curiosity …

]]> By: Mark http://www.teachabroadchina.com/the-chinese-stare/#comment-203 Mark Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:35:14 +0000 http://www.teachabroadchina.com/the-chinese-stare/#comment-203 I dunno dude, staring grates on the nerves after a while. I've perfected the cold-eye stare and I can hold it as long as they can, and I've been locked in some fierce battles with particularly determined old codgers incredulous that my whiteness has invaded their motherland but I never back down. But I've noticed another kind of stare- the kind that is followed by an impish smile and is subsequently followed by "Hello!" "Nice-uh to meet-uh you!" but only if you maintain prolonged eye contact. I give them the quick once-over "pshh" then let my gaze meander to the infinitely more interesting tree branch or shop sign. If I notice someone staring at me, I do absolutely nothing, since they are hoping to catch me speaking Chinese or doing any variety of entertaining activities, so after a few moments, they realize that I am in fact an ordinary human being just like them and they move on. The staring habit will never change in small-town China because the foreigners will always be attracted to the big cities and thus foreigners will always be novelties in smaller cities and thus foreigners will always have condescending attitudes towards rude citizens in these cities. Of course if it's a posse of pretty girls staring, that's perfectly fine :-). I dunno dude, staring grates on the nerves after a while. I’ve perfected the cold-eye stare and I can hold it as long as they can, and I’ve been locked in some fierce battles with particularly determined old codgers incredulous that my whiteness has invaded their motherland but I never back down. But I’ve noticed another kind of stare- the kind that is followed by an impish smile and is subsequently followed by “Hello!” “Nice-uh to meet-uh you!” but only if you maintain prolonged eye contact. I give them the quick once-over “pshh” then let my gaze meander to the infinitely more interesting tree branch or shop sign. If I notice someone staring at me, I do absolutely nothing, since they are hoping to catch me speaking Chinese or doing any variety of entertaining activities, so after a few moments, they realize that I am in fact an ordinary human being just like them and they move on. The staring habit will never change in small-town China because the foreigners will always be attracted to the big cities and thus foreigners will always be novelties in smaller cities and thus foreigners will always have condescending attitudes towards rude citizens in these cities. Of course if it’s a posse of pretty girls staring, that’s perfectly fine :-).

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