Your new colleague probably didn't think you would understand, so maybe a quiet word letting him know it is not appropriate would be enough. You don't want to make him lose face so soon on arrival.

In the grander scheme of Chinese person to person communication, it sounds quite friendly. If he starts coming on at you, then fair enough,you may want to take action. But if it is just a pleasantry used in email communication, I think you would be well advised just to let it go.

well i agree with the op. But ur living in a "developing"country...so...

I thought you were a guy from your av. I dont think it's inappropriate because to me it seems like a compliment more than an insult or a harrassment.

I know, it's so sexist and inappropriate. I get it all the time when I wear my leotard in public. I mean I'm not even a girl. As if. Listen, darling, just do what I do: throw your hair behind your head and rub it in slow motion, grab your purse and say " as if!" Walk off like they're out of your league and roll your eyes sarcastically.

You go, girl!

If you found that sexist and inappropriate dear.... Then you are in for a rude awakening. Even foreign men get targeted by the women in this country. I just hate all the attention of so many sexy young women staring me down like a piece of meat, all giggling and blushing when I walk past them. It is so demeaning......

I feel it's just a culture thing.  I have a Chinese friend and when we are in a restaurant or shop she will may say mei nu but this is a way for her of being more polite.  At the end of the day who doesn't like to be called pretty.  Theres far worse things to be called in China and it sure beats the waiguoren word.

steven I have many chinese friends (female) who would be rather offended when called Meinv or Meimei...and btw, are you representing 1 billion and 300 million persons?Is find it always rather funny how some chinese are selling themselves as the offical representation of china. Given that chinese are the most selfish, selfcentred person in this world: even if they pretend not to be.

Eg. when u are asking some girls for direction in the street, people always say Hey Mei Nv, can you tell me how to go ....., starting with Mei Nv to ask someone( strangers) helping, girls will be glad to help you. Meimei, original meaning is for calling some young girls, if you two are good friends, called Meimei, as means nothing or is a way to express friendship. but if a stranger guys call you Meimei with his greedy eyes, which means he wanna flirt with u. Any states also have selfish or selfcentred guys, not only in China. As you said," Given that chinese are the most selfish, selfcentred person in this world: even if they pretend not to be" From ur word, I could say u are a extreme person, a little bit of partial, so all guys of ur home is like that, but I wouldn't like to say like that.

I don't want to offend anyone, but as far as I can tell there are usually no connotations or added meanings to meinv to make it innappropriate. 

In many different situations I have seen people, of both genders, call my partner meinv and she at times calls others the same. I don't think you should take any offence if someone calls you meinv, wait til they start calling you dajie, or nainai, maybe even ayi, that's when you know your past your meinv prime. 

I can understand why Coffaholic may feel uncomfortable about being called Meinv at the work place. I think that is the source of the irritation: namely that it was said in the work place, and not in a social situation where such a term is perfectly fine and even quite nice to hear. I would also not like it if I were referred to as Meinv rather than by my name or title in the office, especially if I were to have a senior position. But I also think it's a cultural difference here and the Chinese workplace is nothing like the West. Rules related to professional work etiquette and behavior just don't apply here. Just look at what people wear to work!

When I read this site I often wonder what people are doing here and what are they thinking.  Do you not think that maybe you should do a little research into a culture before choosing to get all offended?  Mei Nu is a polite way of saying Miss or ma'am.  Yes it happens to mean beautiful woman but it connotes miss.  If he had used the actually word for miss (xiaojie) you probably would have accused him of calling you a prostitute as that is how most chinese take that word to mean.  please, if you are going to live in a foreign country, thicken your skin.  toughen up, your western fragile sensitivities won't get you far here.  No one will care for your "I'm a victim" garbage.

When I read this site I often wonder what people are doing here and what are they thinking.  Do you not think that maybe you should do a little research into a culture before choosing to get all offended?  Mei Nu is a polite way of saying Miss or ma'am.  Yes it happens to mean beautiful woman but it connotes miss.  If he had used the actually word for miss (xiaojie) you probably would have accused him of calling you a prostitute as that is how most chinese take that word to mean.  please, if you are going to live in a foreign country, thicken your skin.  toughen up, your western fragile sensitivities won't get you far here.  No one will care for your "I'm a victim" garbage.

No, it is not appropriate. At work you are supposed to be called Surname+Miss. For instance, if your Chinese name is Zhang Mei, you should be called Zhang Xiaojie (Miss Zhang). I am a university teacher in Tianjin and nobody calls me Meinv. They call me Hu Laoshi (Teacher Hoo). So, at work they should call you this way: first your Chinese surname, then your position (manager or whoever you are). If you don't have a Chinese name, either get one, or just tell them to call you by your first name or any other way you like it. Be firm and serious. If they call you meinv, they think you are a silly foreign girl, easy to be cheated. Don't let them. Tell them what they should call you. If somebody calls me meinv I just tell them I am a uni teacher and they must call me Hu Laoshi.