Interracial Marriage - Chinese-Americans

This is the 'welcome' foreigners will receive in August.

Seems like the welcome and kindness was treated with contempt.Perhaps not writing about real estate was a bit too much for viven who also just had to stick the bit in about pollution or perhaps not trying to spread Flu as the picture looks quite a clear day for Beijing or New York were you do not let your children go out. Perhaps report how real estate agents work in China and how much the fees are would have been a better subject. I prefer gawking Chinese any day.

The author displayed her lack of knowledge of Chinese culture and shown her "culture shock." Furthermore, the author probably had typical ABC in China problems. I can understand where she is comming from. My children are also bi-racial and I get annoyed when people stare. But that is because they just seem stupid when they stare...not because it makes me nervous.

(The "stare-ers" are mostly talking about the country-side people and lower-income class younger people who rarely see mixed-race and foreigners...locals don't stare)

The fact is, Chinese people are baby-crazy. They love babies. They love kids. And its true...they encourage kids to call older people "Uncle" and "Antie". But this is how grown-ups address strangers too. Instead of saying "Ms..." I saw "Little Sister," or "Auntie", or even "Pretty Girl" (for girls who are between 15 to 25...its not as sexist as it sounds). I like that...it emphasizes respect for elders and common human brotherhood. But its different from living the the US, where one often does not know his neighbor's name, let alone call them Uncle.

Chinese will surround blond children and take pictures and just go nuts. I think that's pretty stupid behavior...but then again, I don't like anyone else's kids but my own.

They also think mixed-race kids are especially beautiful and fortunate. Fortunate to have Western wealth; fortunate to grow up speaking English. So when they want to hold my children or play with them, its out of admiration as much as curiosity.

James in Australia wrote:

Perhaps report how real estate agents work in China and how much the fees are would have been a better subject. I prefer gawking Chinese any day.

Realestate agents in China suck though. Would not have been a China-friendly article.

I think Vivian is worrying too much and perhaps a few too many parental instincts were kicking in. I am 6'2" white guy and have been in Beijing for the last 6 months, I get stared at whenever I go to any tourist sites in China, that is because there will inevitably be tourists from other areas of China at these sites that are not used to seeing westerners of any description. They are just curious, also it is not seen as so rude to stare. When my mother (with large curly hair) came to stay she felt like a rockstar - asked to pose numerous times for photos!

I sat in front of the LCD on the bus one day that even had me worried for a short time till I realised were the LCD was. I agree Chinese love kids and will always encourage them and try to make them smile thats not a bad thing.

That is not the antipollution mask she wore as written in the topic. That is health mask to prevent transmittable sickness is passed on to the general population from the one who are sick. That is why she put on the mask to protect others from catching the sickness she is suffering as a matter of courtesy and hygine!

Ben in Beijing wrote:

I think Vivian is worrying too much and perhaps a few too many parental instincts were kicking in. I am 6'2" white guy and have been in Beijing for the last 6 months, I get stared at whenever I go to any tourist sites in China, that is because there will inevitably be tourists from other areas of China at these sites that are not used to seeing westerners of any description. They are just curious, also it is not seen as so rude to stare. When my mother (with large curly hair) came to stay she felt like a rockstar - asked to pose numerous times for photos!

I experienced the same type of behavior when I worked in Shanghai (SAIC 1986) China had just recently opened its borders to the west and we were completely different than what they were used to seeing.

They were a curious people. Friendly. But, Curious and they adored children. I don't think that they've changed that much over the years.

I had a full beard while I was there. They would come up to me and rub my face. I got called "Rambo" more than once. LOL!

What do you expect when you go to a communist country?