Top 6 Misconceptions about Foreigners in China

Top 6 Misconceptions about Foreigners in China
Jul 13, 2012 By Jessica Larson-Wang , eChinacities.com

Let’s face it: foreigners are an often misunderstood bunch in China. We come from many places, speak many languages and represent many different walks of life, yet we are often looked upon as one singular entity, lumped together and stereotyped. No matter who we are or where we come from, we’re seen as “laowai,” a word that tends to immediately evoke a reaction, conjuring up images and feelings that may or may not accurately describe the “laowai” in question. Here are six of the major misconceptions about foreigners in China.

1) Foreigners are all rich

It stands as no surprise that this is number one on the list. Most Chinese people assume that foreigners, especially Westerners, are rolling in the dough simply by virtue of having been born in America or France or Australia. Foreigners are often overcharged because the assumption is that they can afford to pay more since their countries are so much richer than China. The truth of the matter is, however, that many Westerners live paycheck to paycheck and do not have any significant amount of savings, and that people who are living in China long term, especially English teachers, are being paid wages that are a mere fraction of what they’d be making back home. Combine the two, and Westerners in China are not necessarily any richer than their local counterparts.

While it is true that the 5,000-10,000 RMB a month that the typical English teacher takes home is a lot compared to Chinese salaries, remember that foreigners have a lot more expenses than Chinese people do (like routine trips home, which can easily decimate a year’s worth of savings), and that when they eventually return home they’ll have to convert whatever money they’ve managed to save back into their own currency, at which point it loses a lot of its value.

2) Foreigners can’t speak Chinese

While it is true that your average tourist here to climb the Great Wall and see the Terracotta Warriors has probably not bothered to learn Chinese, foreigners who live in China long term usually have at least a basic grasp of the language, and those who don’t are almost always willing to learn. Moreover, the number of foreigners who have achieved true proficiency and even fluency in Chinese has increased dramatically over the years. The days of Da Shan are long gone, and it is no longer so uncommon for foreigners to learn Chinese. No longer is there any need to gush over foreigners clever enough to have learned how to say their name or “duo shao qian?”

Rather than assuming that Chinese is much too difficult for foreigners to master, Chinese people should give foreigners a bit of credit. Next time a foreigner walks into your shop, greet him with a “ni hao” rather than hello. If he can’t speak Chinese he’ll let you know, and if he can, he’ll be extremely grateful that you didn’t lump him in with the rest of the tourists.

3) Foreigners need luxury and can’t handle hardship

You’re planning a trip to the village down the way, having been invited there by a student, but when your boss gets wind of the plan he nixes it completely. The village is too dangerous. Inconvenient. Uncomfortable. You wouldn’t like it, he assures you. If you want to travel, a nice tour can be arranged. Sound familiar? Most of us have encountered some variation on the above theme at some point during our stay in China, but in fact, many, if not most, foreigners would love to experience real Chinese village life, even if it means a 12 hour bus ride or sleeping on a hard wooden bed or going to the bathroom in an outhouse. Most of us came to China expecting that sometimes our stay would be uncomfortable, that we would have to eat things we were not used to eating, travel in ways we were not used to traveling, and live in ways we were not used to living. That’s part of the fun, part of the adventure.

And while some Chinese people may be worried that foreigners will get the wrong impression if they visit the more off the beaten path places (some Chinese, particularly your bosses, are afraid that you will report home about how poor China is, in short, that you’ll be bad PR), this worry is mostly unfounded. Most foreigners from developed countries who visit Chinese villages do not report back about the filth or the poverty, but about the beautiful scenery and the kindness of the local people.

4) Real foreigners are white (and occasionally black)

If you’re a non-white foreigner, especially if you’re a native English speaker, it can be frustrating looking for a job when most employers seem to want only blonde-haired white folk who look the part. Asian foreigners have a particularly hard time of it, as it is very hard for most Chinese people to reconcile an Asian face with a Western background. Of course Chinese people know that Chinese-Americans (and Chinese Canadians, British-born Chinese, etc.) exist, but they often assume that these people are simply Chinese. They’ll be taken aback when a Chinese-American can’t speak the Chinese language and will complement the person on their English language proficiency. It can be a real uphill battle for non-white foreigners in China, especially those trying to make it as English teachers.

5) Foreign men are only after one thing

While there are enough foreign men in China who ARE after one thing and one thing only to have perpetuated the stereotype, there are also plenty of foreign men in China who are not here to systematically date every Chinese girl in town. Some foreign guys prefer foreign girls, some are happily married, and some are simply waiting for that very special someone to come along. Not all foreign men should be viewed with suspicion – the majority are decent sorts not much different from their Chinese counterparts.

6) Foreign women aren’t into Chinese guys

The number of foreign women dating and marrying Chinese men is certainly on the rise. Even five years ago such pairings were rare, and it wasn’t uncommon to hear Western women say they’d prefer to date Western guys, but times are changing. More foreigners are learning Chinese, for starters, including lots of women who previously wouldn’t have been able to communicate with the great Chinese men out there. Chinese guys are also becoming more open towards the possibility of dating a foreign girl. Thank the media, or the internet, but finding a foreign wife is no longer an impossibility, Chinese men.
 

Related links
Top 5 Things NEVER to Ask the Laowai
The Two Types of Foreigners in China
8 Common Misconceptions About China Debunked

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Keywords: Misconceptions about foreigners in China laowai stereotypes stereotypes about foreigners in China

22 Comments

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lokethebloke

Well said Joneeboy,

'd just like to add that there seems to be a lack of mutual respect. Especially coming from us ex-pats,.perhaps it's just the nature of the beast!! Smaller numbers, higher percentage of of bigots, racists and idiots. Things will change.

Jul 16, 2012 17:17 Report Abuse

flip

'not all Africans are black" I dare to ask if you have anything against being black African? I know that's another misconception out there but the problem is overt racism against "dark skinned" regardless of your orientation. Most people here get scared on sight of black people yet they walk scary and ugly black dogs daily around without fear and they love them too. that's still a mystery to me. How many Chinese go out clad in black clothes daily? another mystery!
I'm of African descent from a second country..........but hey nothing changes....not even my passport can erode my history ..........Ask Obama and he even cant refute is ancestry............and please ask the history books(eg.African-Americans, please note the order) to enlighten you about the origins of black people worldwide and you wont bother if someone misconstrue you to be black African though you are not. The message is there's nothing wrong about being black.................and black is one of the best things in life.

Jul 14, 2012 20:08 Report Abuse

flip

racism,xenophobia,bigotry, chauvinism...........no matter how its clad, its more of people or a group of people than language. the big picture here is racism of any form is pretty bad and not about white of black.

Jul 15, 2012 05:41 Report Abuse

flip

well, I have this to add: I put a 34 year old Chinese lady(5 years my senior) in the family way.........and all that I got from her family is "marry her now or pay 10000rmb for abortion"........managed to half the said amount though.
I once was checking out of hotel when the receptionists were busy hashing out why I was so black in Chinese presuming I don't understand a thing, my answer was my parents are very black also in Chinese, then simply asked them;are you guys or ladies..cos my "boobs" are bigger than yours yet I'm a guy then they started fuming, and apparently looking pale.
I just cant spell out all my experiences in china.......I just hope the government just don't build houses and roads but build up the Chinese people first to make a great nation with great people cos they leave a lot to be desired! But hey, there are some good Chinese out there too. kudos to them.

Jul 13, 2012 21:17 Report Abuse

flip

hmmmmmmmm," shitting" in public is not quite disgusting. there's more reason in your writing but just don't shit here next time.

Jul 16, 2012 03:55 Report Abuse

BAD

In my experience the only Chinese people that are good at languages are those that have either grown up outside of China or gone to an international school with China and spent time studying abroad. Please note this is not a criticism of Chinese people it is a criticism of the Chinese education system.

and again I have not yet met a Chinese person that is good at debating as they are either unwilling to state their true opinion or just don't understand the concepts I'm talking about...

Jun 16, 2011 00:45 Report Abuse

marctyson

I'm not commenting solely on that China follows the west, however, your supporting evidence is fast food franchises is laughable.

Jul 18, 2016 20:20 Report Abuse

feifei

As Chinese boy I like to say that I think lot of negroes they look like the monkey. I do not say about their inside whether he is good or bad man I not know but I just say I see black man and I think of hairy ape eating yellow banana! Black men have big attitude but not big brain they like aggressive and sometimes I feel scared...

Jun 12, 2011 11:24 Report Abuse

feifei

jim you is not nice person. I just say my true feeling why you so angry about me. All I say is about blacks apperarence. I not say something about the person because I not know them, I just say that I think black people look like the monkey that's all I don't think that wrong, just my opinion I think monkey look very cute.

Jun 13, 2011 07:31 Report Abuse

Anonymous

Feifei is not a Chinese, he just pretends to be a Chinese for some ugly motive as pointed out by Lynn (comment # 74).

Jun 13, 2011 23:12 Report Abuse

BAD

Jim I hate to say it but you did not make yourself look very good with that last comment! One could be forgiven for thinking that black people are only good for one thing!!! Also I think Chinese people view the pig as having many positive qualities so it's not as insulting as it would be to a westerner. However I must agree that feifei is pretty stupid but alas is not alone in her stupidity...

Jun 14, 2011 00:02 Report Abuse

BAD

Steady on LYNN ! I would like to know how you justify suing someone because they are anti-government...it is not 'officially illegal' to be anti - government so maybe you could beat the shit out of the supervisor of this website but good luck with trying to sue them!

Jun 16, 2011 00:33 Report Abuse

feifei

Sorry I not sure your meaning. I think you still not understand me. I not say something about the personality because I not know any negro I just say what I think about the appearance. Why you talk about bananas I not sure of your reason for this? You know some foreigners say Chinese all look same, all have the narrow eye or look like alien or something like that...is it bad to say that?

Jun 16, 2011 00:39 Report Abuse

the dark one

shame on you "Feifei"

Jul 15, 2012 16:04 Report Abuse

the dark one

feifei you're way too ignorant. you need take your little ass to america for some proper education, you dumb little cunt.

Jul 15, 2012 16:10 Report Abuse

Robin

Whether back home in America or here in China I've always been able to save at least half of my income simply by using common sense in financial planning and of course not feeling a need to keep up with the Jones's. I simply paid attention to my parents and did the exact opposite and feel it's always better to use self control in life.
I originally came to China for a simple holiday planning to stay for 2 months to have a look around and found it a complete 180 from what my preconceived idea was from what we are told in the press in America.
After returning home for a few months, I contacted the current University I am now teaching at and have been for the past 3 years and enjoy my life here very much and feel as though all of my students are as my own children and volunteer beyond my few hours a week because it is something I really enjoy doing and causes me to feel as though I'm contributing to the future economic prosperity of not only China but the world because it's so obvious that China is not the "Poor Country" most Chinese and Foreigners think it is because the truth be known it is an exciting time in World events as we witness the power struggle for the IMF and as in centuries ago the western world coming to the shores of China seeking the riches of the Orient.
The world in which we live is evolving at a rapid pace and those with their eyes and ears to the future can become excited knowing that it is a revolutionary time for Humanity and if we can orchestrate a world peace and reign in the Military Industrial Complex of all Nations then perhaps we can employ our joint recourses to create a world that would leave no nation in poverty and no people in need.
You may believe only cooperation and understanding can build that wonderful bridge to the future where these things are possible and it is only though the encouragement of our differences and diversities that we can all enjoy true Economic and Social Freedoms that all mankind has an inalienable right to.

Jun 11, 2011 16:21 Report Abuse

Steel Guns

This was one of the most uneducational articles i have read on this website. i got so bored reading the comments i forgot what annoyed me about the main article so i wont waste any more of my life typing here now.

Jun 11, 2011 06:04 Report Abuse

Guest332136

I would say only about 5% of the Chinese people I have attempted to communicate with in China were able to speak Mandarin in a clear, standard and proper accent. Chinese people generally suck at speaking their own national language. Don't blame it on the education. I have met many Chinese teachers who taught their students with perfect Mandarin. They don't learn it because they don't give a shit. China is still a hillbilly nation where speaking the local fangyan is valued over speaking like an educated person.

Jun 09, 2013 23:34 Report Abuse

emillie

well, i'm asian foreigner, some of chinese ppl look at me as chinese, when i was about to buy something in a store, they were so rude to me, when i speak with foreign language to my friend on the phone in front of her, they become polite and friendly. wtf. this is so funny. even with the police for house registration, i went there last time, i speak in chinese language, n she asked 1 more paper that i dunno what that is, the next day, i came back again without that paper, and i talk with the diff officer with english and i said i dont have that paper, and she gave me that house registration paper directly without say anything.. pfftt.. so it's really confusing. haha

Jun 09, 2011 21:47 Report Abuse

Earthworm

You think Chinese people are too stupid to realise that black people exist?
Give them more credit.
Chinese people are aware that most Africans are black (and probably that all Africans are black)

My last girlfriend was from Zimbabwe, but was white, and even European people assumed that she was black before seeing her. So it's not just Chinese that make these kind of assumptions.

Interestingly, I have noted 8 instances where Chinese people have expressed to me that they 'don't like black people' ("不喜欢黑人")
When I asked why, their answers all included "Because their skin is black" (one particularly bemused fellow even exclaimed "... like chocolate!"
Now if that isn't racist, tell me what it is.

However I do realise there is no malice involved. That's why I say it's down to their education system and general ignorance.

But what do you expect from a country that has been closed to the outside world for 4,950 years?

Jun 10, 2011 18:16 Report Abuse

Marc

Interesting, somebody commented on this exact topic yesterday on an unrelated article here, is this coincidence, or do our comments seem to be a source of news for the people at this site?

Jun 09, 2011 16:35 Report Abuse

Lihao

...coming from an American this is rich. With such great wars(and colonial attempts) as Iraq and Afghanistan I wonder what pedestal of delusion you're standing on to criticize the worlds largest and most powerful empire. Britain has returned power back to almost all of it's colonies and is gaining popularity worldwide. On the contrary, Americans are growing increasingly unpopular (it is possible). I have American friends who agree with this too which is the worst part. I love America, it has has some amazing and talented people but this comment is laughable.... American domination will be short lived.

Jul 14, 2012 06:45 Report Abuse