Being Called A Clown - Compliment?

[signs]

Hi all,

Just the other night I was having dinner with a local chinese acquaintance. He is a friend's friend, and not knowing him that well, I was unable to tell whether he was being serious or sarcastic when he made a comment about me being like a clown.

He says when he sees me, I am like a clown, I make him happy(this was after he had several glasses of beer). In the western society, being called a clown is not a good thing. Is there a different meaning of a "clown" in chinese society? Is it considered a compliment or insult to be called a clown - according to chinese people?

[skylee]

Are you sure he called you a clown? Did he say it in Chinese or English? Or did he just say you were funny?

I can't imagine how that could be a compliment.

[roddy]

I suppose you could think of it as a clumsy way of saying you are entertaining. Were you wearing a lot of make up at the time?

[signs]

He definitely called me a clown, and he said it in Chinese. And no, I was not wearing any makeup at all!!

The way it went was.. he was saying how seeing me makes him happy (again, I, have my doubts..) and he began comparing me to a clown. Saying, quote: "you know a clown, with a red nose and big hair? You are a clown! hahaha", and then he said "when people see a clown, they laugh cos they're happy! You make me happy!".

Now... I was neither flattered nor insulted by the comment because I wasn't sure how to take it. But the thing is, when I asked him if that was a good thing, he assured me that it is a "very good thing!" (even after I told him that in western society, it;s considered an insult). It's hard to tell if he was mocking me or telling me the truth as I don't know him that well, nor do I know much about the chinese culture. Yet I do know they have a 'delicate' way of mocking people.. anyone know?

[Don_Horhe]

He was probably mocking you, but in a friendly way, if that's even possible. I've had similar experience (although I was called 香菇) with some of my girlfriend's friends - it was obvious that they were having entertaining themselves with the my presence, but it was all in a friendly manner.

[roddy]

More of an ill-thought out and somewhat patronizing compliment than an insult. If you're not going to see the guy again I'd forget it, otherwise some kind of reciprocation might be in order.

[Kenny同志]

Saying, quote: "you know a clown, with a red nose and big hair? You are a clown! hahaha", and then he said "when people see a clown, they laugh cos they're happy! You make me happy!".

If I had been in your context, I would have taken the remark as an insult. It might not be made with intention, but it appears to me very rude. I think it would have been okay if you had been good friends, but you said he was your friend's friend and that you were not familiar with each other quite well. That's the problem.

[signs]

thanks for the responses guys, I guess I've found my answer.

[xiaocai]

Unless you can provide the full context with exact words being said by both sides, I'm afraid we can't go to far on this. Assumption made upon incomplete information is very likely to be biased.

[Carwyn]

It's not an insult. Being a clown in Chinese terms does not have the same negative connotations as in English~

He was just saying you're funny, entertaining and maybe some of the things you do are funny because they are different. He's not being rude. I've been called a clown once or twice too, by good friends, and it has never had a negative meaning.

It's the same as when you first got told you were fat or had gotten fatter (which has probably happened), it's not an insult, just stating something which sounds extremely blunt to Western ears.

Don't get insulted about being called a clown, just be insulted about the characters used for clown... Who wants to be a little ugly?

[jbradfor]

This thread reminds me of that great scene from Goodfellas (excuse the cursing):

Henry Hill: You're a pistol, you're really funny. You're really funny.

Tommy DeVito: What do you mean I'm funny?

Henry Hill: It's funny, you know. It's a good story, it's funny, you're a funny guy.

[laughs]

Tommy DeVito: What do you mean, you mean the way I talk? What?

Henry Hill: It's just, you know. You're just funny, it's... funny, the way you tell the story and everything.

Tommy DeVito: [it becomes quiet] Funny how? What's funny about it?

Anthony Stabile: Tommy no, You got it all wrong.

Tommy DeVito: Oh, oh, Anthony. He's a big boy, he knows what he said. What did ya say? Funny how?

Henry Hill: Jus...

Tommy DeVito: What?

Henry Hill: Just... ya know... you're funny.

Tommy DeVito: You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it's me, I'm a little fucked up maybe, but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to fuckin' amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?

Henry Hill: Just... you know, how you tell the story, what?

Tommy DeVito: No, no, I don't know, you said it. How do I know? You said I'm funny. How the fuck am I funny, what the fuck is so funny about me? Tell me, tell me what's funny!

Henry Hill: [long pause] Get the fuck out of here, Tommy!

Tommy DeVito: [everyone laughs] Ya motherfucker! I almost had him, I almost had him. Ya stuttering prick ya. Frankie, was he shaking? I wonder about you sometimes, Henry. You may fold under questioning.

[gato]

It's probably harmless if you are a funny guy.

[roddy]

If people want to say you're funny you might hear 幽默，搞笑，好玩 or something. I can't see in either language how you could call someone you don't know very well a clown without causing mild irritation.

[gato]

It's probably worse if you are not a funny guy, though. ;-)

What were the Chinese words he used, by the way?

[signs]

Gato, it probably doesn't really matter now since I've decided to limit my contact with this person. I've decided that I don't have a tolerance for humour, if the joke is on me ;) But for your information, he said in Chinese "When I see you, I'm very kai xin because you are like a clown" and then he went on to say why (red nose, white face), kids all laugh when they see them... In retrospect, it definitely WASN'T a compliment. I think he was having me on...

[dumdumdum]

do you have ginger or coloured hair? maybe he just used the wrong expressions in a hurry, with the impressions you gave him with your external features. who knows...

but i guess no one likes to be called a clown. and i would find it weird too if someone calls me that. 'is this guy lacking proper vocab?' would be the first thing across my mind.