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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: Do foreign guys really have a bad rep here? If so, why?
Please, read before you flame!
Got bored tonight, so I started reading back through old questions. I've read numerous comments here, in which posters seem to pretty much agree that western guys have a bad reputation in China. The most common accusations seem to be that they're hopeless drunks and they're all just out for a cheap screw!
And yet, I can't think of a single westerner I've met here that I've met who has deserved this. Granted, I'm in a smallish, non expat-saturated city, but all the western guys I've met have been solid, decent guys (from my perspective anyway). So, it seems remarkably unfair.
In general, men from my country are (generally) genuinely decent, many are really awesome. I'd guess the menfolk from most western countries are pretty similar, the ones I've met have been, anyway.
So: what the hell? Is this just a bullsh!t stereotype that's gotten out of hand? Am I really missing something major? Or is the forum not representative of wider views?
Not all men here are like this, but certainly in big cities you will find much more of them.
I believe alot of the stereotypes stem from the media, and the local social media to be specific.
If a local girl meets a western whore monger who is an asshole then she is far more likley to write about it.
Flaming people makes far better news on any level.
You never read about the wonderful caring and considerate western men that settle down with one women because it is boring news.
The Chinese are the the worst when it comes to stereotyping people....reminds me of the American south 50 years ago....niave, uneducated and unaware of the truth.
Not all men here are like this, but certainly in big cities you will find much more of them.
I believe alot of the stereotypes stem from the media, and the local social media to be specific.
If a local girl meets a western whore monger who is an asshole then she is far more likley to write about it.
Flaming people makes far better news on any level.
You never read about the wonderful caring and considerate western men that settle down with one women because it is boring news.
The Chinese are the the worst when it comes to stereotyping people....reminds me of the American south 50 years ago....niave, uneducated and unaware of the truth.
simp;e chinese men cant compete in the new global market their ability, tools and personality are lacking, in general. so like anything else they resort to lieing and cheating. spreading rumors about foreign guys is designed to make women think poorly of western men in particular . a 3 foot tall man acting like a 2 foot tall man.
Last time I was here the hotel staff thought I was drunk all the time, truth is I've never been drunk in China. I just laugh and joke around constantly. This time I've met more people that speak english well and I can make them laugh alot. This really is just how I communicate. I'm just funny. Just another crazy Canuk. The picture I use would suit a younger me, 'cause I was a real wild man once.
As for women, its a constant barrage of offers and I admit I'm weak sometimes. It doesn't help that my street has 800 beauty parlours on it and I stand out in a croud here. So before you think anything of my behavior,I'm just a poor country boy, this is all new to me and its just too tempting sometimes. But this is normal here, I didn't start it.
There are a lot of foreigners like this, it is true however not all are this way. Plus you hve those that cannot get laid but act as if they were on a constant Baccanal, while you have those who are more low key and discreet.
However, there is some basis for this stereotype and indeed many are like this. You will see this in bigger cities and those who have a lot of foreign "traffic" rather than smaller towns.
Naturally, some Chinese will not look beyond the stereotype while others will take the time to meet and take teh time that not all foregners are like this.
I will never forget the first foreigner I met in China in a Changsha Starbucks. His first question to me was, "what do you hate most about this place?" His second question was an inquiry on what was the easiest way to get the girls in bed. My 45 minute conversation with him consisted of his bitching about China and his stories about the girls he bedded. I never wanted to see another foreigner again after that. Do you know he still called me for months after that seeking advice (he seemed to be doing quite well, I don't know how I could have helped). I don't think characters like him are in the majority, but there are enough to promote the stereotype, which is why I like to keep a low profile wherever I go.
1) It's easy for anyone, in any country, to pick on a minority. It's easy to bully and badmouth people you outnumber greatly. The Chinese do this often because of their complete lack of character, and their extreme cowardice.
2) There's nothing to love about modern China, so the only way that Chinese patriots can love their country is to hate every other country, race and nationality.
As a foreign guy in China I can tell you many foreign guys here are tools.
I think the Dude gave you a sound answer to your question. Unfortunately, not all foreigners in China are well manered, considerate and respectful. There are a few that are noisy, obnoxious, and vulgar, with only two things in mind, to drink every day, and to bed every woman they can.
You can have 100 ExPats living in a neighborhood that act and behave like normal fellows, and no one will talk about them, no one will remember them. But let one or two move in, and start with their displays of drunkness and foul actions, and soon you will have many locals talking about how "bad" all foreigners are.
I remember from back home that it was a common thought that Chinese thjere where "dirty" persons, that never took showers, dress poorly and had bad manners. Well, I do know for a fact that they do take at least two showers each day, do not spend too much money on fancy clothes, do pick theiur noses, and throw garbage around them, but they do not smell. We are also guilty of stereotyping others too.
Yes, we do.
At least, I've been on the receiving end of such attitudes... and in some minds, I'll be the reason for the attitude (OMG, I've actually been drunk in China, I've actually hit on a girl who wasn't interested in me... I must be evil!)
Humans like to gossip, and they gossip about the bad things that happen, not the good things... end of story.
Things we do are just blown out of proportion, it can't be said to be any more sinister than what a Chinese person may do.
I have known a few guys like that, but most of the guys I know that do that only screw around with the girls who screw around. So I think it is the uptight country girls who see this that do all the complaining and judging.