Mustaches

[GreenArrow45]

Hola,

Something that we have been noticing here is that 90% or more of Chinese men who grow a mustache look far more Mexican than they do Chinese. I am curious what motivates them to grow a mustache as to be honest, it looks quite silly.

[xiaocai]

Because it doesn't look silly to Chinese people?

[zening]

I think it's because growing a mustache makes you looks like to be mature. BTW, I don't think it's silly.

[GreenArrow45]

Growing a mustache doesn't always make you look more mature, particularly when it lacks much fullness/thickness. But, my Chinese associates here similarly think that these people with the mustaches look quite silly, it is as though they are trying to imitate something that they are not (is what my Chinese associates have described it as).

I guess I'm part of my reason for bringing this up is I'm wondering if people notice this in other cities throughout China?

[Scoobyqueen]

Growing a mustache doesn't always make you look more mature, particularly when it lacks much fullness/thickness.

Isnt that just seeing it from a Western perspective?

[zengqiuang]

i must tell you in china the man who have much mustaches is regard as a horny man or careless .

[dumdumdum]

oh no, that's 咸湿须 in cantonese, or literally 'horny moustache'... :o

[GreenArrow45]

Good point.

However, if said individual is growing it for the purpose of appearing more Western, shouldn't they pay attention to the Western point of view on it?

Hah, I didn't see zengqiuang's post when writing this....that is quite interesting though, I didn't know that.

[edelweis]

who says they are doing it to look more western???

Historically didn't some Chinese (or Manchus?) wear a mustache?

even if some of them are growing it to look more western, it's probably directed to their compatriots first and foremost

(some Japanese youngster's sense of fashion looks pretty odd from a western POV, but they're not dressing that way to impress actual foreigners, are they?)

[anonymoose]

It's specifically Mexicans that they're trying to impress, obviously.

[xiaocai]

However, if said individual is growing it for the purpose of appearing more Western, shouldn't they pay attention to the Western point of view on it?

白面微須 is one of the the traditional standard for 美男子 in ancient China, in case you don't know.

But, my Chinese associates here similarly think that these people with the mustaches look quite silly, it is as though they are trying to imitate something that they are not (is what my Chinese associates have described it as).

How many Chinese associates do you have then? I have many and I don't think any of them thinks that it is silly.

i must tell you in china the man who have much mustaches is regard as a horny man or careless.

So who is "the man"?

[roddy]

I am curious what motivates them to grow a mustache as to be honest, it looks quite silly.

Classic case of culture shock you've got going on there. You're seeing a behavior which is universal or at least common (the growing of a mustache and the consequence of looking silly) and assuming it applies only to the host culture and thus singling it out for ridicule.

I shall waive my consultation fee in this instance.

[GreenArrow45]

I have upwards of 30 associates.

I imagine that the Chinese men doing it either because of themselves or their fellow Chinese, my point was simply, if they want to look Western, why not grow a Western mustache...or if you can't grow one, then don't bother with peach fuzz. Not that they should care what a Westerner thinks about their mustache -- poor choice of words using point of view before :blink: .

That's interesting though, didn't know that it was a standard for attractiveness...though I'm not sure if you're being facetious or not.

[Scoobyqueen]

I dont think it has got anything to do with wanting to look western. Teenagers look stupid in any culture :-)

[anonymoose]

if they want to look Western, why not grow a Western mustache...or if you can't grow one, then don't bother with peach fuzz.

What makes you think they're trying to look western anyway? Does that mean that every westerner who doesn't have a moustache is trying to look Chinese?

[zeeeee]

GreenArrow45,

pejorative cultural generalizations aside, you've just made public your personal, negative opinion on many people's aesthetic decision, which is personal. how would you like it if i told you that your white socks with black shoes, or some other thing you like to wear, is silly and subject to social ridicule? or that it made you look African? it's fine to talk with your friends and co-workers whom you're close with about your personal opinion, but on chinese-forums.com, we don't know you well and don't know what to make of your observation.

personally, i'm especially confused by your wording of "look far more Mexican than Chinese".. why couldn't you have just said "end up looking Mexican"? it sounds like you're implying that Chinese men should stick to looking Chinese. but again, i don't know you so i can't be sure what you meant to say.

in short.. "good fences make good neighbors"

[GreenArrow45]

I honestly wouldn't care whether you thought my choice of clothing, hair style, etc was the best thing ever or just plain laughable. Though, I'm not sure if you're suggesting appearing African is somehow a negative thing....

Although having a close relationship with someone makes it easier to discuss sensitive topics, I don't think this is even approaching being a sensitive topic.

Regardless of that, as this is a forum, it is supposed to be a place where individuals can discuss their opinions and what not. So, I appreciate responses that have been informative or perhaps pointing to culture shock or other things to be the reason for why myself and those here view the majority of mustaches as such. However, I find posts where I'm being quoted and then someone attacking my point of view on the topic to be a bit counter-productive. Afterall, I stated an opinion and asked why people thought said mustaches were grown, meaning it is a subjective thing that can't really be argued.

As per my use of look far more Mexican than Chinese....I use that because, while we are aware that they are Chinese, the mustache causes them to look quite Mexican. I don't much care if they stick to looking Chinese or not, I was more curious if other people noticed that and thought it looked silly as well as why culturally they would grow a mustache. ;)

[anonymoose]

OK then.

I don't much care if they stick to looking Chinese or not, I was more curious if other people noticed that

No.

and thought it looked silly

No.

as well as why culturally they would grow a mustache

Why do Americans or Germans or anyone for that matter grow a moustache?

[GreenArrow45]

wow, someone's growing up ;) ...but, I have no idea why Americans or Germans do, then again, I'm not interested in that. Hence why I made a topic about Chinese persons doing it as opposed to Americans or Germans.

[kongli]

Well all I know is that when I grow out my thin little goatee and mustache in the U.S. it is the subject of much amusement for my friends who can actually grow 'real' mustaches and beards.

But if I rock that same facial hair in China, it is considered a full on 胡子. Which, I must say, is pretty damn awesome considering I am 22 and will probably never be able to grow a full beard.

As to the 'why', I would assume either A. because they like how it looks B. Women like how it looks or C. some combination of both. I mean why else right?

Though facial hair among asians seems to have a long history of discrimination and racism attached to it in the U.S. Just think of Fu Manchu (oh, maybe the Chinese want to appear scarier to the ever increasing number of westerners coming to China) or WW2 when American citizens were told they could tell the difference between Japanese and other Asians because Japanese men tend to have more facial hair.