Profiling

Political correctness, in the American sense of the term, does not exist in China. While Chinese courtesy does require certain niceties ("please, sit!" "nonono, YOU sit!" "no, please, you first!"), honest observations about appearance are often articulated.

For example, one of my friends is constantly (and lovingly) told by her parents that she is by far the ugliest of her four sisters. They are being serious. No matter though, she'll own up to it and prides herself instead on her "slender legs" and outgoing personality.

Friends will often offer up critical examinations of each another's looks. Little Cong has bad skin. Yali has a fat face. Little Yan is too short and chubby. I acclimated early on to comments on every aspect of my appearance from my nose ("so big!") to my legs ("so thick!") to my weight ("you're fat"). Supposedly, however, I have nice hair. So there's that.

In addition to comments on an individual's appearance, many Chinese enjoy making blanket statements based on ethnicity. A lifetime in the U.S. has made it more difficult for me to accept these comments without feeling uncomfortable. I mean, seriously. I dare you to read the rest of this entry without flinching at least once.

I now present to you, the peoples of the world, from a Chinese perspective.

Japanese - immoral, steal Chinese culture, treat women poorly

Russians - hot women, hairy men

Jews - clever, mysterious

Pakistanis, Indians - smell bad, very loud

Americans - fat, outgoing, rich

black people - big lips, big butts, exotic

white people - big eyes, big noses, good skin

Yikes.

With this cultural background in mind, then, it should have come as no surprise to me that a popular brand of toothpaste here is called "Black Man's Toothpaste".


When I expressed surprise and discomfort with the brand, my friend rebuked me. Didn't I know that black people all have sparkling white teeth?

A quick google search soon revealed that the English name for this brand used to be "Darkie", but, in the name of PC-ness, was changed to "Darlie" sometime in the 1980s.

Subtle, no?