I live in the U.K. and tons of kids pull their parents trousers and shout out "Look, It's a Chinese!"
It is really awkward, don't know whether to walk up to the child and parent and tell him it is not really acceptable or just leave it.... I tend to just leave it xD
Being a "laowai" isn't a problem at all. Chinese people are just amazed when they see foreigners. They will stare at you or take pictures... It's not an offense. Just smile, say "ni hao" and everything will be just fine.
I guess its a bit hard to get used to at first. The best i figured to do was to say something in Cantonese, like "dui lei lo mo!" or something in that manner. Works every time. Folks up north dont speak Cantonese but they know it when they hear it. Then they are like "oooh.. xiang gang ren ah.." and they know you are cool and leave you alone.
Anyway, enjoy the pop-star feeling while it lasts, when you start speaking proper Chinese it will fade.
Oh and they are more stereotyped towards Americans than anyone else. Many Americans prefer to call themselves Canadians, better that way - proven. Basically the more you speak, the more you act like you know everything the better, best if you speak something other than English and dont even pay attention to anyone around you. No one will bother you, trust me, they gonna stare in awe but not come to take pics. Typical laowai is a yank and is mostly seen as a clown or a freak.
About the taking photo part, I can totally understand how you felt. Normally, people do ask for permission though, but it is still kinda annoying, even though they probably just like you.
I found 'laowai' is a pretty neutral word. Although it is not very polite to call a foreigner 'laowai' to his/her face, people really don't mean to be offensive. I think the more you know about Chinese culture and the more friends you make in China, the less sensitive you will be to the word 'laowai'. Some people I know even find the word 'laowai' pretty cute after they lived in China for years. It really could be interpreted in that way.
The word "lao wai" is a relatively new term in Chinese language. I remember people started using this word to refer foreigners in 1980s, originally in Beijing. After the culture revolution (1978), Chinese people (mostly in Beijing and Shanghai) began to have more contacts with foreigners and they wanted to find a casual way to refer them, then "laowai" was invented. It is very typical Beijing style, which is to turn everything into to 'casual'.
I live in the U.K. and tons of kids pull their parents trousers and shout out "Look, It's a Chinese!"
It is really awkward, don't know whether to walk up to the child and parent and tell him it is not really acceptable or just leave it.... I tend to just leave it xD
122kc122 2 days ago
I understand what you mean but to be far laowai isn't a racist meaning Guilao is a proper meaning of racism
Willisoutofthisworld 1 month ago
Being a "laowai" isn't a problem at all. Chinese people are just amazed when they see foreigners. They will stare at you or take pictures... It's not an offense. Just smile, say "ni hao" and everything will be just fine.
pfilteau 1 month ago
Laowai isnt offensive in any way by itself.
I guess its a bit hard to get used to at first. The best i figured to do was to say something in Cantonese, like "dui lei lo mo!" or something in that manner. Works every time. Folks up north dont speak Cantonese but they know it when they hear it. Then they are like "oooh.. xiang gang ren ah.." and they know you are cool and leave you alone.
Anyway, enjoy the pop-star feeling while it lasts, when you start speaking proper Chinese it will fade.
Buuub08 2 months ago
Oh and they are more stereotyped towards Americans than anyone else. Many Americans prefer to call themselves Canadians, better that way - proven. Basically the more you speak, the more you act like you know everything the better, best if you speak something other than English and dont even pay attention to anyone around you. No one will bother you, trust me, they gonna stare in awe but not come to take pics. Typical laowai is a yank and is mostly seen as a clown or a freak.
Buuub08 2 months ago
my laowai buddies in China sleep with so many chinese girls IT IS FREAKING AMAZING!!!!
the chinese are cowards don't worry, LOL they probably never see Westerners in person
tHeWasTeDYouTh 3 months ago
About the taking photo part, I can totally understand how you felt. Normally, people do ask for permission though, but it is still kinda annoying, even though they probably just like you.
fairviewcreek 11 months ago
I found 'laowai' is a pretty neutral word. Although it is not very polite to call a foreigner 'laowai' to his/her face, people really don't mean to be offensive. I think the more you know about Chinese culture and the more friends you make in China, the less sensitive you will be to the word 'laowai'. Some people I know even find the word 'laowai' pretty cute after they lived in China for years. It really could be interpreted in that way.
fairviewcreek 11 months ago
The word "lao wai" is a relatively new term in Chinese language. I remember people started using this word to refer foreigners in 1980s, originally in Beijing. After the culture revolution (1978), Chinese people (mostly in Beijing and Shanghai) began to have more contacts with foreigners and they wanted to find a casual way to refer them, then "laowai" was invented. It is very typical Beijing style, which is to turn everything into to 'casual'.
fairviewcreek 11 months ago
@fairviewcreek Thank you, it's interesting to hear another view on it :)
verdantstar 11 months ago