Culture Question - touching a child's head

[frenchdenis]

Hello,

Someone told me recently that it is highly offensive for a foreigner to touch a Chinese child's head. Can anyone tell me why this is so?

Thanks.

[gougou]

As far as I know, that is the case in Thailand. The head is considered sacred there, so touching it (no matter whether you are a foreigner or not) is inappropriate.

As for China, I am not aware of such a custom. In fact, I seem to remember reading a manual for foreigners coming to China which warned parents that Chinese might touch the head (hair, in fact) of their children. So I'd guess there is no such belief in China.

[aeon]

SFAIK that's a Thai and Malay thing.

[amego]

Its very common (ok in Singapore) for an adult to give a gentle stroke on the head. e.g.

Mother of a child and child at Ah Ma's house. (Ah Ma is Grandma in Hokkien).

Mother: "没有叫阿嫲?" "Never call Ah Ma?"

Child(in a cute tone): "阿嫲!" "Ah Ma!"

Ah Ma says "乖." "Good boy/girl." Literally means "obedient", and gives a gentle stroke on child's head.

Extremely common.