By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .
Sign up with Google
Sign up with Facebook
Q: Dress code in China?
As a Western woman living in China for a number of years I am very well versed on the cross -cultural dress code differences and have always respected this. As a professor of Adult Education, I conduct myself in a professional manner both on and off campus. And since, I tend to run my students while grocery shopping or dining, I pay very careful to my appearance thus not to harm my reputation in any way.
Recently, however, I received an email from my supervisor chastising me on my 'Sexy' manor of dress in the office. The e-mail outlined that my neckline was 'far too low 'and several of the students found it 'difficult to concentrate on what I was teaching'. When I pressed for details, I was surprised to learn it was the female body that complained! Thinking back on my wardrobe selection, I could only recall an Anne Klein suit with a V-neck cut. Wondering if it was too low tried the dress on again, stood in front of a full length mirror and inspected the garment. Leaning forward. examining it from both front and back views: I found the dress flattering to my figure, but in no way "sexy". The hem line rested just above the knee and the neckline to not reveal the 'cleavage ditch'. Or much of it anyway. I am not a 'chesty' woman- but I do wear a 'C' cup in a land of AA's. For added assurance, I asked my male roommate if he thought if he considered the dress sexy and inappropriate for the workplace? I got a sound, "No."
I don't want to make a major issue out of this but I see many female Chinese Teachers and Teaching Assistants about campus wearing skirts (if you can call them that) right up to the cheek with heels so high they looked like they are doubled over in pain when walking (or trying to walk), yet when I argued this fact with my supervisor only to have it dismissed. So let me get this right: You can wear a skirt that show's off everything but the kitchen sink, come to work looking like a KTV girl with hair and eyelash extensions, but GOD FORBID! you let that neckline drop and your branded with the Scarlett Letter?
How much is too much?
Aha. From your description I believe you dress properly. I'm merely a student and haven't cared much about dressing after middle school and never worked before so my opinion may not be worth much.
But I think perhaps your supervisor's new idea has something to do with the ban of black stocking in a Wuhan middle school. saying the same reason "it makes students difficult to concentrate".
What kind of guys would complain that to your boss lol. I don't think they would ever mention that. It must be from either their parents or your female colleagues.
China is ruled by the authorities so nobody can tell how much is too much except the authoritarians. They say heels and short skirts are good, then it's good. They say your neckline is too low, then it's too low. No reason needed. It's all in their minds.
Maybe you could use the guerrilla tactic. Dress more "traditional" to avoid their "peak of unsatisfaction" and show up someday later with your favorite dress. It'll be fine.
PS I have read your another post saying something about "being direct". Chinese authorities don't like being talked back. Disobedience is important I know. But you're living under their roof. What could you do?
In China you can wear a skirt that doesn't even cover your butt, no problem at all, you can even combine it with thigh high stiletto heeled boots, heck PVC ones of that's your thing all no problem.
However, even HINT at the slightest milimetre of breast cleavage and it is seen as wildly inappropriate and 'slutty'. Personally I find this weird, but TIC!
Adopting different types of cultures according to place is difficult. However, I obey the cultures in this world. I am fond of adopting the culture and special there dressing style China dressing style a bit typical than others but can be easily adopted.For some dressing tips try out this designer labels.
CFM boots? Fine.
Stilettos? Fine.
Short shorts? Fine.
Micro minis? Fine.
Fishnets? Fine.
Midriffs? Surprisingly, fine
Slapper make-up? You guessed it....
The slightest hint of the existence of boobs? NOT FINE AT ALL!!!! Very tough for us girls that possess boobs. I have Ds and cannot dress in any way that completely hides them, short of a burka.
I do remember one of the more entertaining days I had in China, though. The whole school had organized a major celebration for Spring Festival, and the western staff were front and center. I had, literally, one cocktail dress to wear and when wearing it, my 'assets' were, ummmm, front and center. I tried to fix it by wearing the dress, but also wearing a knotted pashmina to cover said assets.
Unfortunately, at one point in the evening, my Chinese TA realized what I'd done and insisted I take the scarf off, and when that failed, just took the scarf off herself (MisterA fled at that pointt) which was followed by a half-hour procession of all the female Chinese staff coming over to look at/down my top. Hilarious in hindsight, a bit awkward at the time...
jealous female students did the complaining, just wear a see through shirt up to the neck with a loud orange or pink bra and blend in with everybody else.
very true, when i was studying chinese language i had a teacher who once wore a see through skirt (keep in mind my class was full of black male students and i was the only female student) and yes her undies were showing...it was embarrassing at the very least, for me especially, anyway the only people who found this disturbing were the foreign students.
ruthallen:
I can't say for sure what was meant, but I just took it as explaining these were foreign students. It seems to me the point is that it was fine for a Chinese teacher to dress inappropriately in front of foreign students of the opposite gender; while a foreign teacher is forbidden to do so in front of Chinese students. At least, I didn't see the need to assume some kind of racism.
albani771:
What i meant was that my class was full of very opinionated young men, and they had a lot to say about how the lady was dressed. I was simply giving an account of my experiences of how Chinese women seem to wear next to nothing below the waistline but its almost taboo for women to wear a shirt that shows cleavage.
Well, I have encountered similar "double standards" regarding local/foreign teacher behavior. In my case, it was dismissing students 5 min before the lunch bell rang. The fact that all other teachers did the same was completely ignored by my boss who even threatened to dock my pay if I did it again.
If I were in your position, I would indeed adhere to the "dress code" BUT I would also enforce it in class. Girls in miniskirts? Go home and change. Micro shorts? Go home and Change....
Best of luck!
wasn't it Phil Collins ?
'Land of Confusion'
"Too many men
There's too many people
Making too many problems
And not much love to go round
Cant you see
This is a land of confusion."
This may be a little difficult to express, but what amazes me after too long here in the MK is that we (expats) seemingly still seek logical reasons for behavior.
NOTE: There is none, and there will be none.
*u r where 'people' defecate in the open on subway cars; where a dozen plus people walk by a injured/dead child lying beside the road, having been ran over TWICE, and do not bat an eye. best just give up on seeking 'Western logic'.
Yes, I do realise this is just a forum the OP utilized to vent,,, to get it 'off her chest'.. hehe :-p
Yeah, I call bullshit. I was going to post a question like this, because I was wondering what people think. I strive to dress professionally, but to your question I think that is something that they should be called out on. I have only worked at Universities but I have seen women wear mini skirts, halter tops, and even one wore a see through dress. I was thinking wtf. I guess she is going for the students attention or she could be working in administration
. So for them to raise this issue seems to be something else going on.
Seems like your students are out to get you. . . that's not a good sign. It means someone in the room is plotting against you. I'd take this outcry seriously and not give into what the students want you to look like or dress. Go tell the supervisor to have a seat and let the professionals do their job while the immature students who like to complain, tattle tale or spread rumors reveal themselves by their sneaky little eyes!
Chinese girls have no cleavage, so they tend to show off their legs instead. Most likely, your female students are uber jealous of your chesticles, and hate that the boys in your class are paying attention to you instead of them. Just tell them to get over it. What are they going to do, fire you? Hahahahahaha, yeah right...
I just realized that you are giving "Adult Education". Unlike the major education system that goes directly from primary school to college, the students who enroll Adult Education in China have various reasons that they have had left school and lived in society for a while. Most cases are due to bad scores reason. Those students are sort of different because of their age and experience. Maybe it's the female students who are not very accepting. Just maybe.
Chinese girls have the best legs in the world.
Long after those sag bags are delapidated, Chinese girls legs will be firm.
I used to hate all the stairs in China.
Until my first summer here.
The more shorter skirts are, the better
