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Posts: 165

Governor

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Q: How do you feel about the words "Lao Wai" or "Waigouren"

I usually let it go, but sometimes (even if it isn't mean as anything), the words just seem to rub me the wrong way.  How do you feel about being called "Lao Wai" or "Waiguoren"?

11 years 40 weeks ago in  Culture - China

 
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Posts: 2604

Shifu

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I embrace it since I'm in a foreign country and I have to listen to foreign language. It's not like words hurt sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. Let it go! Got more important things to deal with and I spend most of my time on my hobby anyways to even be bothered by something like that. I just say ting bu dong! Have a nice day or have a great Airforce day as we liked to say it! Air Power Space Power Air Force!!

bike-gypsy:

spending most of your time on a hobby such as staying at your computer trying to be the first to answer a new question?

11 years 40 weeks ago
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TedDBayer:

he has nothing better to do, he's in an institution.

11 years 40 weeks ago
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11 years 40 weeks ago
 
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Emperor

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Considering that "laowai" used to have a negative meaning, and that being called foreigner in general is irritating (it has that "you don't belong here and I really wanted to remind you" feeling), I hate being called a laowai. It's even worse when they use "laowai" on the news.

And it makes me so pissed off when they start saying Chinese sentences but replace all the tone by the first one. I've been in the Beijing Language and Culture University for 3 years now, I have heard some of the worst accents of all time, but never have I ever heard anyone talk that way. I recently started answering those guys with Japanese words, because they just love it, and I swear that once I'm back in France, all the Chinese immigrants will get their share of "CHING CHONG HERRO!", because hey, I learnt from the Chinese culture!

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11 years 40 weeks ago
 
Posts: 660

Shifu

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I don't get offended per se, because it not me being the ignorant, uncultured imbecile pointing and saying it.

 

And I usually just ignore them and don't return the obnoxious hullo

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11 years 40 weeks ago
 
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Emperor

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Sorry if it bothers you... cause I'm not helping the cause.  I answer to it like it was my name half the time.  And I will actually go local and point and call it out whenever I see another foreigner in town.

cooter:

So I'm not the only one who does this....

11 years 40 weeks ago
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philbravery:

Im another offender

after a couple of weeks we all really do look alike.

and when Im at home I get my own back because she is the Lao Wai

surprise

11 years 40 weeks ago
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I don't mind it per se because it is usually not said in an offensive manner. I just don't think that most of the Chinese that use these terms no any other way to address foreign nationals. Therefore, it is habitual.

 

The most polite form is "waiguo pengyou" which I don't feel the least bit offended by. In fact it is quite complimentary. "Waiguoren" and "Laowai" to me are pretty neutral.

 

I have never knowingly been referred to as "Yang guizi" except by myself when using it in a kind of jocular form amusing the Chinese. I can guess that this would be quite offensive and would, indeed, be the Chinese equivalent of "nigger", "Paki", "Coon" etc.

 

What I do find obnoxious is those Chinese (usually teenage or forty something males) who stare, cough up phlegm then spit on the floor when seeing foreigners. That is very overt racism of the nasty variety (as is spitting on the floor when walking past a foreign national as a show of disgust).

philbravery:

good reply

11 years 40 weeks ago
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steve0sha:

yes that annoys me too, spitting near me, if ever touched me i let the hulk inside takeover

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Emperor

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They don't bother me at all.

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11 years 40 weeks ago
 
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Personally, I don't care what someone calls me. However, someone else might, and so I have spent time in the past going over the words (and their possible negative connotations) in class with my students. Every year my Sophomores take a two week trip to a popular international tourist spot to, as they put it, "practice their English with some foreigners."  We have had conversations about what the words mean (to little avail).

 

A lot of it is perception. In some ways, I think these words, although harmless in and of themselves, by their common usage, helps the Chinese maintain that "us vs. them" mentality. 

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11 years 40 weeks ago
 
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Governor

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I have never been called a LAOWAI..

I guess because im not a old guy

 

Usually I get weiguren and liang zai.

 

Kaiwen:

I know what you mean about those stupid asshole old guys..everytime you walk past the cough in disgust and spit on the floor... I would like to slap the shit out of those motherfukrs

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11 years 40 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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i always hated the word laowai and all my friends whether they are foreigners or not ask me why you get offended?.....even the foreigners do not know why i get offended and when a person calls me laowai i just reply and see.....my name is ashley ...please call me by my name....though i still think this word means allot of meanings that varies from good intentions to bad intentions

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11 years 40 weeks ago
 
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Governor

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I've lived off-and-on-again in China for three years now; quite frankly I never care. I have known several foreign friends that despise being called a laowai. In stark-contrast, I actually like using the term, because, well I just like the sound of it. And knowing the potential connotations could be friendly, neutral, or pejorative.. I think it makes using the word fun. As for being called a 'waiguoren,' well that is what I am- a foreigner in China. Nothing wrong with that.

 

If by chance I do come upon someone who wants to offend me... I just act really gay to them. Wink at them, use my mouth and tongue suggestively, even show a kiss. It has worked for me almost every time over the past several years. 

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11 years 40 weeks ago
 
Posts: 960

Shifu

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I don't get offended and to be honest have very rarely noticed what others call me although that may be more to do with the fact that I don't focus on how others react when I am around. I also don't notice much staring and if the spitting is a reaction and attempted insult to me passing I guess I just don't distinguish it from the general spitting that happens so often. 

I think that my general attitude and focus is on just letting the stuff slide that I have no control of and observing the strange quirky things that I see, many of which I find quite interesting or amusing rather than offensive.

The only time I get offended or react is when people try to push in front of me or others as I wait my turn in bus or train queues etc. As I am a decent size and played a fair bit of basketball in my younger days I know how to use my elbows and body to box out and I must say those skills are often put into use.

EYN05:

good comment man!

 

Or you could just walk around with a woody when your getting on the bus..that might scare people

haha

11 years 40 weeks ago
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Jnusb416:

Are people always going to make that joke? How old are they, 12?

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woody:

Yeah I hear it a bit but just like my answer to the original question I just let it slide. The origins of my nick have nothing to do with that which EYN alluded

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Posts: 6321

Emperor

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It dont bother me no nothin.....

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11 years 40 weeks ago
 
Posts: 402

Shifu

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Sometimes, when I hear the 'ni kan lao wai', I reply with 'wo kan lao chung'.

Then often they show an embarrassed smile.

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11 years 40 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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i guess its better than being called a wetback or whop etc

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11 years 39 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1008

Shifu

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I could care less, it's not really harmful, it's just reality. Mainland China dosn't have much diversity, which is why people like EYON5 can come here and feel free to be a racist a hole

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11 years 39 weeks ago
 
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Is it Howlly?     they call the non Hawaiian  that little US state in the pacific

Personally I would find that more offensive  

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11 years 39 weeks ago
 
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