What do Chinese people think of Persian or Afghan people?

[carlo]

Thanks for mentioning Shalwar Kameez. I was wondering how to survive the next Hong Kong summer, and this looks very fashionable to me. Em, I guess I could be mistaken for a central Asian, at least from some of the pictures I see on google.

Unless you go to a border area with a lot of minorities living there (eg Xinjiang), *and* you are there during a particularly tense situation involving such minorities, I think you'll be perfectly fine. Never heard of any incidents in more than ten years.

As to what Chinese people think of Persians, while I was browsing the reference section of Wangfujing bookstore in Beijing once a local student asked me out of the blue (in Chinese) what language they speak in Iran. I checked 'Farsi' on the dictionary in front of me just to make sure (波斯语) and there she went, happily looking for a Farsi-Chinese dictionary. I think you'll be positively surprised by the open-mindedness and well-meaning curiosity of many of the local people.

[abcdefg]

Not that it matters, but I have a mildly dissenting opinion. If you dress radically different from the norm in the region to which you are going, no matter how practical and comfortable it may be, it is sort of throwing down a gauntlet to the locals.

It can be perceived by them as saying, "Look at me, I'm so different. If you don't like me or my alien clothes it means you are a racist or at least an intolerant bigot. Screw you and your customs, I'm going to just do as I please."

Some may admire you as a rugged individualist, but some others also may not.

[Matty]

There's some racism in China, but it's not really that bad. I felt a reasonable amount when I was in Harbin because many assume I was Russian and treated me a little badly, a little impolite and less friendly. Once I mention I'm Australian though their attitude changes completely.

My main point is you might encounter some impoliteness, but I wouldn't expect anything extreme. There's always a lot of tension between China and Japan especially due to war atrocities. So that's not anything you need to worry about.

Lots of people look, especially in smaller cities, that's more curiosity than racism, but that's part of the package you have to accept when choosing to live in a country that doesn't have a long history of foreign immigration.

I really wouldn't worry too much.

Still, I think it's better than being a foreign born Chinese who doesn't speak Chinese, they seem to get a lot of discrimination. I've had to drag a friend through security guards a few times after I just walk straight through, and many people look down at them because they expect them to know Chinese and be Chinese, know everything about Chinese culture since they have China blood.

[skylee]

I agree with #22.

[Matty]

After googling Shalwar Kameez, I'm wondering what makes it so cool in the heat? If it's the material, I wouldn't look that unusual if you selected a more ordinary one, there seems to be many different styles. Then shortened the shirt a bit so it doesn't go down so far, possibly making it look more ordinary, yet have the feeling or a feeling similar to what you want?!

Really would appreciate your thoughts and this and what flaws or good ideas might be in what I said. I'm always welcome cooler clothing options here in Guangxi.

Sorry if there's anything wrong in what I said, I'm a bit ignorant on the topic but wanted to share my opinion.

[Persian]

Thanks for everyone's replies. I actually can't wait to visit China now. It sounds lovely.

@Matty. Yes it's the material that makes it feel so comfortable, loose and airy. When you step outside, it feels as though you're not wearing anything at all! And because it's so loose, the sweat doesn't show embaressingly in places and smell, nor does it stick to the clothing and cause irritation.

Basically, each country in North Africa, along with West, Central and South Asia has it's own variants of the Shalwar Kameez, but each difference very subtle. There are two main types. The Persian style and the Turkic style. The Persian style of the Shalwar is common in North Africa, Arabia, and South Asia, where the weather is very hot and dusty. So it's often very light or pastel coloured, and is made out of fine cotton. It isn't pattered and it is usually one colour. I discovered it when i was in Eygpt and western clothes were too uncomfortable. I tried the local Shalwar Kameez there and i loved it ever since.

The Turkic style is often made out of a different material to the Persian style Shalwar Kameez. (This may have been what you saw on google). This because the Turkic version is very popular in places like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, where the weather there is much milder. Instead of cotton, their Shalwar is made from thicker fabrics and is often dyed with various colous and are pattered too. They look much more fashionable, but won't keep out the heat so well.

Basically, i thought Shalwar Kameez was a good idea because it's so similar to the traditional clothing of most of East Asia (even Japan). I thought as i don't have Chinese clothing, a shalwar would be the next best thing to wear. But when i look at pictures of China, everyone is wearing western clothes in such hot heat! How boring and uncomfortable! But here in England, we don't have clothes made for protecting against the sun. It's impossible to find a good sun protecting hat (for men) and comfortable shorts in such a cold country (outside London). So maybe american clothes would be better if i lived there.

Anyway, not that it really matters so much. I'll be wearing my Shalwar Kameez on the really hot days and i don't mind the stares. Again, thank you to everyone who replied, you've all been very helpful and i'm sure the chinese will be just as friendly ;) zai jian

[Wabl]

I have a different opinion to most. Superficially the Chinese will be quite polite to most foreigners, particularly when your out shopping or spending money. At a deeper level, the Chinese do not like anyone with darker skin, so that typically includes negroes, middle eastern people and anyone from the sub-continent.