By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .
Sign up with Google
Sign up with Facebook
Q: Why do people keep asking if I'm cold?
The first couple of times this happened, I didn't really notice. But now, I think that I've had 6-8 Chinese people around Beijing look shocked when I put on my coat (a basic pea coat) and they all say something along the lines of "aren't you freezing? That coat is so thin. you should buy a down jacket."
Am I missing something here? I am perfectly warm in my coat, and prefer not to look like a puffed up marshmallow. Is this just another example of Chinese "being polite", a current fashion trend or something else?
I know this is kind of a stupid question, but like I said, this is something I have been asked repeatedly over the past few months (even before winter really started)....
Yes,it's just an example of Chinese"being polite".actually,I found some western people seem not afraid of getting a cold,I remember I was in Beijing last year ,It's like -12 degree at that time,and I saw a couple of western guys were just wearing summer clothes walking in the street,It was damn crazy.
Scandinavian:
this is back to the good old discussion of how to catch a cold
1. By being physically cold
2. By a virus infection
2. is the correct answer, with the small note that being physically cold for longer periods of time means the bodys natural response to viruses will be less effective increasing the chances of any ailments sticking
I noticed that Chinese people believe that if you are cold, you will get sick, so they really bundle up. Look at babies in China, they look like a fluffy ball with all that clothing on, and their cheeks are bright red. I had a very intelligent young man tell me that hot water kills germs in the bloodstream (which isn't true!). So even the smart ones think that bundling up will prevent you from getting sick, when in actuality, it's a virus that gives you a cold or the flu.
I remember getting more stares than usual by wearing a t-shirt on a warm spring day when everyone else was wearing long sleeves. Clothing amount isn't necessarily dependent on temperature in China.
no it is not chinese being polite. this is "why are you being different?" when i'm on the bus and i don' \t want to sit down sometimes people will point to the seat in front of me. the reason is because me choosing to stand makes them look bad for running and pushing each other for seats (5 people fighting over 10 vacant seats).
maggiegirly:
Believe me or not, it's really just an example of Chinese being polite,The only difference with me is,I won't ask them cause it's none of my business.
My experience in a smaller town in China is that people typically wear far more clothing than the typical American. This starts from infancy. I think the people never learn to regulate their body temperature because they wear so much clothing all the time. So when my friends ask if I am cold it is more because they are physically cold.
If it's asked in English ? the reason then It's an easy basic English question.
Brice,
It's not a stupid question at all. The Chinese like to ask nosey,stupid and strange questions. It's all on them bro! Ex. How any children do you have? blah blah blah.
I was just asked today at lunch. Its 20C+ today and I was wearing long pants, long sleeves indoors
I actually walked outside one night with just beach shorts and a t-shirt, while people were having jackets and jeans etc, I was in in Zhongshan, it's really hot there
I have a bit of a cold right now......... a virus has got me ...I will put up with it for a couple days and be fine...........My wife keeps piling blankets on me and chastising me for being stupid/silly............. I don't do drugs ....... couple days and all is good ......besides it's 22-23 degrees here and -6 at home hahahahhahahahahaha
