What do Chinese people think of Persian or Afghan people?

[Persian]

This summer, i'll be travelling to Xi'an and Chongqing alone. I consider myself totally English. I have an english accent, english born family, english culture, etc. I'm not muslim nor do i have any culturally backward views.

However, i do look like an Afghan because my great grandparents were from there. I have tan skin, dark curly hair and i'll be wearing Afghan clothes when i'm there to survive the heat (english clothes are too uncomfortable in the sun. I'll cook). I'll be wearing afghan clothes

I've heard a lot about racist attacks that have happened against central asian and south asian people by east asians. Particularly against uzbekistani and tajik immigrants in South Korea. Even a south korean woman who was born in uzbekistan was abused.

I know that China is totally different to South Korea obviously. But i just want to ask this question to put my mind at rest, because their culture (relatively) is similar. If it is just as bad in China, i think i better just wear western clothes and stay indoors during midday instead! >_<

Thank you

P.s. i'm 19

[count_zero]

My guess is that most people won't know what to make of you. In Xi'an people will probably ask you questions about Islam.

I could be completely wrong, however. Get back to us and let us know how it went.

[coolnicholas]

It's fine ,go ahead what you like wearing,

[roddy]

If only that English culture had some kind of dress suitable for hot weather. Perhaps a normal shirt with shorter sleeves, cut into a kind of T shape, and normal trousers but with shorter legs. "Shorts", if you will.

[anonymoose]

二

[skylee]

I think Chongqing is not sunny at all. It is said that the dogs there bark at the sun because they so rarely see it. What are English clothes? I think there are a lot of normal clothes (thin T-shirts) suitable for hot weather.

[roddy]

It gets very hot though - it's one of the three furnaces, along with Wuhan and Nanjing.

[Guest realmayo]

I found light baggy long-sleeved shirts and trousers cooler than t-shirts & shorts when I was baking in Chinese furnaces. But this ran slightly counter to local knowledge, which was to wear shirts and trousers but then roll the top of the shirt up over your belly, and roll your trousers up to your knees.

[Ruben von Zwack]

I can relate from India. Even the lightest western cotton shirts I brought were too heavy, so I got myself Shalwar Kameez. I also found it better to wear long trousers in dusty hot climate (not in all hot climate, but when it's dusty), cause it feels so disgusting when all the dust and dirt from the street collect on your sweaty legs.

My Pakistani-born but 100% british friend with whom I visited India got himself Shalwar Kameez too, and was bullied by a lot of locals, because they assumed 1 Westerner + 1 brown guy = brown guy must be the servant or something, but that's a different story.

[Persian]

Thank you for all your replies. Actually, i tried the lightest and whitest shirt i could find in England when i went to Eygpt a few years ago. It still is uncomfortable because the sweat collects in various places, which lead to being itchy with rashes and/or smelling bad after being out all day (i'm used to lovely cold weather). When i tried the Shalwar Kameez instead, it was like wearing silk. It was so comfortable i could stay out all day.

I don't know what Chinese people think about 'their neighbours to the west', however. Do you think they would get treated badly?

I've heard that because of their ignorance to the areas of central/west asia, many Chinese people group all arabs and persians as 'indians' because they all have tan skin. And hence they get treated poorly.

I don't know if i'm overanalysing this, because maybe Chinese people are a lot more friendly than i expect. I was raised in a country where there is almost no racism at all, and after watching the shocking footage of crazy Chinese people during the protests against Japan last autumn, i don't really know what to expect because i'm privileged to be born in such a tolerant country.

[Lu]

My guess is that most people won't know what to make of you. In Xi'an people will probably ask you questions about Islam.

I don't have any experience with your particular situation, but I think this will probably be what you encounter. South Asian face + Middle Eastern clothes will probably lead most people to assume you're from that general area, they might not understand that someone can be brown and still English. Try not to be annoyed by this, it won't help. Xi'an has a muslim community and people might assume you're a fellow muslim. All in all, as long as you don't go looking for trouble, I'd say you're probably as safe as any foreigner visiting China.

[Angelina]

It would be racist to say which cultures are racist and which cultures are not. Yet, the general population in China is not like the general population in South Korea or Japan.

It would also be safe for a girl to be traveling alone.

If you wear Afghan clothes, Chinese people might not believe that you are British, but they probably won't be rude to you. Many Chinese people have told me they thought I was Persian, never with any bad intentions. I have traveled to many rural parts of China and most people were nice to me.

[Persian]

That's good to hear Angelina. I'm a guy by the way

[陳德聰]

I don't think it's particularly safe for a woman to travel alone in any country, really.

I can't imagine people being hostile towards you because of your clothing. I imagine most people will just be in awe of the fact that you speak perfect English.

[Ruben von Zwack]

But there are differences. I'm a woman too, and in some countries where I stick out for my pale looks, I noticed in some regions, on crowded streets, a lot of guys would touch me while walking by (sexual harrassment really) all the time. While in other countries, where I looked equally "exotic" and sticking out, this never-ever happened to me, not a single time.

Anyway I hope we're not going too OT but this is really interesting, cause I haven't been to China before, and when I go, hopefully this year, I will go on my own too.

[Persian]

I'm male

[skylee]

I don't think it's particularly safe for a woman to travel alone in any country, really.

Some are (much) safer than others.

[Angelina]

I'm sorry, I thought you were a girl because you said this

Even a south korean woman who was born in uzbekistan was abused.

[Lu]

I don't think it's particularly safe for a woman to travel alone in any country, really.

I am a woman and I am glad I can reassure you that some countries are certainly safe for women to travel in. There are always risks, but there are risks for everyone. China is a safe country to travel in, I would not be afraid to take a long train or bus journey to some out of the way place. Taiwan is extremely safe and I really enjoyed the long nighttime walks I could take in Taipei.

[NOK]

You should be fine, especially in Xian as they have a large muslim and ethnic minority population there. Wear whatever you want to, I dont think that will be a problem.

I am black british living in a small city and although most people here are surprised by the fact that I am black and was born in England, they tend to get over it quickly after I tell them that there are black people in England. Additionally, I think Chinese people are more accustomed to Middle Eastern and Indian faces than say black faces because they are closer neighbours so you wont be overly gawked at.

Furthermore, you're going to two fairly large cities with a lot of expats, tourists and international students. Chances are, apart from the odd stare you will blend right in.

Off course take precautions as you would in any other foreign country that you visit. China is an amazing, diverse country and you MIGHT encounter ignorance and racism but it will be by a minority so just enjoy your time here and don't sweat the little stuff!