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Q: What are the attitudes to physical privacy here?
On a number of occasions, I've been quite surprised at the double-standards on physical privacy some Chinese girls have had.
Are the concepts of privacy different here from what we know?
Not entirely sure what you mean here but I do have a pet peeve re: this. When I am working on the computer and anyone will feel the need to look over my shoulder or simply push their face near the screen to see what I am doing. Personal emails and business are private aren't they?
There are many ways to interpret your question, I will try a few.
Starting with what Derek said, Chinese curiosity in general (it is worse in countryside persons) is boundless, they just have to look and see the book, the letter, the screen of your computer, whatever. It is done by all, and upsets me because I am a very private person in many ways.
Then another one to me is the ways they dress. To us, PJ's are to be used in the privacy of your apartment, if not in your bedroom. Chinese will not think twice and go to supermarket in their PJ's, both men and women.
It is normal for me to be in my apartment dressed in my underwear only, and if the door bell rings, I will put a shirt and trousers on before answering. During this winter, I was with my long johns, and also my GF. The door bell rang on different occasions, and she answered the door like that. Afterwards she claimed that there was nothing wrong, because nothing could be seen.
But the icing on the cake was one day when some of her girlfriends visited us, and surprised us in our underwear. After the greetings I excused myself and started up the stairs to my bedroom to get dress, but my GF said loudly that there was no need for that, we were all good friends, and we were at our apartment. To me it was extremely embarrassing to be there in my jockey shorts and nothing else. And now, with the warmer weather in already, she walks around in the apartment in just her panties, with all curtains wide open. Her claim is not to worry, no one will look inside.
So, yes, in many ways they do have double standards, and in others whatever they have is very different from ours. For example, I look for a WC and hold until I find one. She will seek a bush and let it go.
Vive la différence !
crimochina:
wait so chinese women answer the door in whatever they are wearing ..... this is why women are not allowed to walk around hotel rooms naked !
The panties comment is spot on. My wife is always doing that with lights on and curtains wide open.
