Misunderstood images about laowai

Misunderstood images about laowai
xiaoxiong Jun 05, 2013 22:34

Since the "Opening of China in 1979", the nation has made great strides in economics, science, and its general relationship with the world community. However, despite these things, I find that sometimes there is a big disconnect between many Chinese people's perception of Westerners and what is based in reality. Whether on simple naivety or just plain stupidity these stereotypes-as all stereotypes can be- may be very damaging to relationships between Chinese and people of other cultures. So allow me,without any further ramblings, to bring to light several of the misconceptions that seem to float around.

 
 
1. All foreigners are alike, behave in the same way, and like the same things. 
The F word is one title that I simply hate wearing. Although I accept it, I can't tell how many times I have heard from friends the phrase "But I thought foreigners (insert x here).  Just as all Chinese are not alike, this is also true for the other 5 billion people who are not Chinese. Japanese and Nigerian culture have nothing in common, so please don't put us all in the same boat. I know there are some real fools out there, but you cant base all Americans, Germans, etc., on one dumb &$$. And yes, when you step off the plane in o
another country, You too are a laowai. 
 
 
2. We are in China because our economies are in the tank.
It's true. Many jobs in America and elsewhere are scant. But thats not necessarily the reason that we came here. Moving to another country takes a lot of planning, bravery, resources, and money- a decision not made on a whim. For me, I came to China because of its long history, elegant cuisine, boundless opportunities for personal growth, and the fact that many of my friends during my time in Japan were Chinese.
 
3. We are with Chinese partners because we can't find any companions back home 
 
I am often shocked when my Chinese friends make a remark at how it is disgusting to see an older Western man with a Chinese woman ( and sometimes visa versa). However, for everyone of these cases there are also younger more attractive men who also have Chinese companionship. Whats more, we are in China, so naturally there will be at least a few interracial marriages. Having this notion is more damaging to Chinese society as it presupposes Chinese women are only interested in money, harlots, or just don't have any taste in men. On the contrary, Chinese people are very opne minded and Chinese women as a whole have many choices available to them and the old reputation of "green card envy"  hasn't been dying for several years. 
 
4. We cant speak Chinese.
Perhaps the greatest seated notion about Westerners  is that we simply don't know how to speak the lingua franca. With China becoming more important on a global stage, many more people are becoming interested in learning Mandarin. I would say over half of my foreign friends are learning at this point and some can even carry on a conversation. So, dear Chinese friends, next time you see a foreigner, instead of flapping your arms around like a chicken, try speaking slowly and patiently. You might be surprised how much they know.
 
 
5. We don't know you are talking about us.
Most of us are quite aware of the many racial slurs that are directed at foreigners, and many of us learn these before even being able to bellow out a "xie xie". Even if we don't know the proper words, staring at us and then talking to a friend is not being very subtle and is just plane rude.
 
6. It is okay to joke about our physical appearance.
I used to be very conscience of my weight, but after many "friendly" hurtful comments about my weight, I developed a semi-thick hide. I know some people have explained it to me that this is a part of Chinese culture, but a lot foreigners wont take it very lightly. Its also not a very good way to start a conversation or make a friend. Under no circumstances is it ok, without deeply knowing a Westerner, to make a joke about their physical appearance.
 
 
So in a nutshell, here are the six most common generalizations that I come across in China. Now before I get a bunch of angry replies, let me just say that I do not hate China. In fact, its just the opposite. There are many places on earth I could be at this very moment, but its the fact I love this country that I choose to live here. Secondly, I know many of my fellow Americans couldn't even find China on a map, let alone separate fact from fiction about the Red Dragon. However, I have come to see many Chinese as able to see through the smoke, and who knows, maybe they could be the example of cultural interaction that the rest of the world can follow.  
 
 
for more stories by me, follow my blog at xiaoxionginchina.tumblr.com
 

Tags:Language & Culture Expat Rants & Advice Expat Tales

5 Comments

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Guest2233706

The same with your first point. Not all Chinese are the same. I think young generations and older generations are much different in China. Young people start to know foreign countries culture from their experience, movie, and online information etc. while big part of older generations don't like to watching western movie and never working in foreign company or even don't use internet. They just know Africas are black, and westerns are white.

Jun 10, 2013 13:17 Report Abuse

Guest332136

Chinese people can't even speak Chinese. They all speak their ignorant country village fangyan. I would say only about 5% of the Chinese people I have ever met in China can speak Mandarin properly and clearly. Then again I live in Guangzhou so no one here really gives a shit about speaking Mandarin properly anyway. If fact after three years in this place I usually find most locals telling me my Mandarin is better than their own (well of course! I make an effort to speak it properly!)

Jun 07, 2013 17:18 Report Abuse

Guest2233706

Wow I am curious to listen to your mandarin. Through cantonese for sure don't talk good mandarin,because they are proud of their cantonese. I feel uncomfortable at the begining too, but after few years living here, i can understand and talk most of cantonese,feel like home here now.

Jun 10, 2013 12:40 Report Abuse

Guest332136

Unfortunately I have never become accustomed to hearing Canto-babble. I don't like to brag about my language skills. I didn't study in any university and I live in the South so it's not easy to learn the proper pronunciation living here, but I do feel I make more of an effort to speak clearly and properly than most Chinese I encounter.

Jun 10, 2013 21:48 Report Abuse

Guest2205946

Here is another one: All foreigners know one another :-) I have been with my Chinese friends in a public place out on the street and upon seeing some random foreigner pass by one of them will indubitably ask: "Do you know him?" To which you have to respond "Holy moly that is my cousin just like the guy across the street selling watermelon is your cousin right?" or another comment I hear "Hey, there is a guy from your country."(as if we all came from the same country LAOWAILAND!)

Jun 06, 2013 12:27 Report Abuse