What's with those people in China who stare endlessly?

[notmuch88tosay 21]

Hello,

Most of the Chinese people in China that I have encountered have been very friendly, pleasant and helpful; I like Chinese people very much.

But each day I seem to come across at least one person, usually two or three, who stare at me as if I will give them money or a plane ticket to the Carribean if they stare at me long enough.

At first I just ignored it, but now it is starting to get to me a little. If I were a goldfish in a fish bowl I wouldn't mind so much, but last time I checked I'm not.

These people stare at me if I'm alone, or if I'm with my fiancee. Some of them go out of their way to have me see them staring at me; like they will walk past me and turn their heads around to stare as they pass me.

I don't know about the Chinese culture, but as far as I know, staring at someone is rude in most cultures.

I can deal with the men in the elevators who smoke cigarettes, cough, spit on the floor or even blow snot out of their nose onto the floor as I'm heading to get something to eat, but the staring is a little too much.

I know there are the educated and the uneducated in China.

So my question is, why do people stare at foriegners like me for long periods of time each day in China? Are these the uneducated people in China who have never learned manners? Or is there another reason.

Again, I really like China and Chinese people, I am just trying to understand this phenomena so it won't bother me.

notmuch88tosay

Edited October 11, 2012 by notmuch88tosay

[hawkeyez 45]

Try smiling and saying hello.

[bigdog 376]

Smile be polite, many of the Chinese people have not seen lots of Americans, be great ambassador.

[Darnell 8,479]

it sorta depends on age, really.

if it's a young person, then they are usually crazy, and their folk locked them out of the house during the day.

if it's an older person, then they are one of the millions of retired folk who's adult children lock them out of the house every day.

You can ignore it, unless they get within a hands-width of you.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Smile be polite, many of the Chinese people have not seen lots of Americans, be great ambassador.

it sorta depends on age, really.

if it's a young person, then they are usually crazy, and their folk locked them out of the house during the day.

if it's an older person, then they are one of the millions of retired folk who's adult children lock them out of the house every day.

You can ignore it, unless they get within a hands-width of you.

[Darnell 8,479]

Another Answer:

aha ! These are professional matchmakers, and they are looking you over, sizing you up, thinking that they will make a fat commission on introducing you to one of the ladies in their match making books.

[hawkeyez 45]

My wife stares at me. What should I do ?

[Darnell 8,479]

My wife stares at me. What should I do ?

Apply honey and oil in the right places, then put a pad on top of the bed to handle the mess yer about to make.

[hawkeyez 45]

Apply honey and oil in the right places, then put a pad on top of the bed to handle the mess yer about to make.

Haa. works every time.

[unlockingsky 94]

My wife stares at me. What should I do ?

run to the kitchen and she will stop staring at you. if she does, ask her to wash the dishes.

[Operator 1,927]

OP, I know how you are feeling, it frustrates me at times as well. Think about it like this...not too long ago China was a fairly isolated country and to some extent, in many areas, it still is. Lots of the folks you are seeing in the city are simple country folk that haven't seen many western round eye faces. Maybe only occasionally on TV.

We just vacationed in Yunnan and Sichuan this summer. We visited a Tibetan family in their home and I was the first white person they had ever met and to anyones memory I was the first to visit their small village.

So maybe they are just curious who you are and what the hell you are doing there or they may just be rude, every country has them. If you think they are the latter just say Nĭ zài kàn shénme? (What are you looking at?)

[notmuch88tosay 21]

Try smiling and saying hello.

Hi hawkeyez,

Yes, you are probably right, that will probably work well in most cases.

I was having a stressful day yesterday so I vented. But I'm still not used to the street noise 24/7. Maybe I should meditate?

notmuch88tosay

[notmuch88tosay 21]

Smile be polite, many of the Chinese people have not seen lots of Americans, be great ambassador.

Hi bigdog,

Good advice. I have always been friendly, cheerful and polite since I arived; I was just trying to make sure my attitude did not change, thus the reason for my question and trying to understand. I feel better about it all now.

Thanks for your reply,

notmuch88tosay

[vaughnbug 0]

The Chinese people are kind and yes, they do stare, but they are curious that is all. I have been to visit China five times and I always thought they were just looking at my finacee. Now I am thinking different(hahahaha). In the smaller cities it is more obvious they are looking at a white person, as they do not see many. I went to a hot springs and I had little kids come to swim by me just to see a white person in a bathing suit, it was a little bothersome, but also was fun. Enjoy the focus and be polite and be a good example of a western person. And say hi to them, they will laugh.

[notmuch88tosay 21]

it sorta depends on age, really.

if it's a young person, then they are usually crazy, and their folk locked them out of the house during the day.

if it's an older person, then they are one of the millions of retired folk who's adult children lock them out of the house every day.

You can ignore it, unless they get within a hands-width of you.

Hi Darnell,

Most logical response I have heard yet. Damn, you sure know Chinese people well.

I often lock my neighbor in my garage until he agrees to cut my lawn, but that is only once a month.

Then my neighbors daughter will lock him in her bedroom closet until he buys her new clothes. But that is only once every two weeks.

So I do understand where they're coming from. No wonder locksmiths are in such high demand in China.

notmuch88tosay