 Hey Lao wai! Response to: Is "lao wai" a negative term? |
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On December 21st, a People's Daily editor wrote an article titled Is Laowai a negative term?, in which he responded to an American writer's article commenting on the taunting use or derogatory meaning of the term "lao wai." Wherein the article was a defense of the term's use; I would like to focus on the last statement: "the possible feelings these terms could arouse in people." When speaking with my own colleagues and friends from parts of the world including the U.S., Australia, and Britain, dialogue concerning this term focuses on the context and tone in which "lao wai" is used.
As an Asian-American, I have had some innate ability to blend in within Beijing. I know that I am a "lao wai" in Beijing, but to others, it may not as apparent. And as one Asian-American friend has said, "I don't really look like one, unless I start talking." As a result, I focused my discussion on my "lao wai peng you" who do not particularly look of Chinese or any Asian descent. They are often the ones who stand out on their own or in a group. From the sample of eight people who responded to an informal email survey, the responses revealed that context and tone largely determine how the term "lao wai" is interpreted by the recipient.
On August 13th, Mitchell Robinson from Mississippi, US, asked, "Why can I not just be your 'friend' instead of 'foreign friend'?" during a video discussion held by People's Daily Online. Ben, an Australian living in Beijing, likewise challenges the term "lao wai" by stating that it reflects the difference and distance between people, like being reminded one is "a minority." He would prefer if Chinese people addressed him as they would any other Chinese person. However, the fact remains: a person who comes into China looking different from any other Chinese person will be seen and perceived as different. David, an American working in Beijing, admits that "being called out as a lao wai did make it so I never forgot that I was an outsider in another group's country."
Hey Laowai!
There is the classic "in-your-face" loud greeting, staring, pointing and laughing, accompanying the term "lao wai," that makes the term especially difficult to accept. Elizabeth and her colleagues working in Beijing would prefer being called "wai guo ren" over the term "lao wai" any day. However, simply saying "lao wai" is still far better than being pointed out in a restaurant or while hiking in the mountains, or while shopping: being dragged into a store by someone asking where you are from and to "look-a-look." "Lao wai" as a term on its own does not provoke negative feelings, but when used in negative tone or context could be misperceived as harassment or taunting.
With the misunderstanding also comes an understanding. Jon, from the U.S., has also been living in Beijing for a few years. His experience of the term has been both an endearing and negative one. China is still, after all, a mono-cultural society and the initial entry shock for foreigners and natives alike has not yet subsided. As long as the Chinese perceive foreigners as being different there will be a misconception and misperception. "It is also difficult for people in one culture to understand why their goodwill is regarded as something so unwelcome, or even offensive to those in another culture," according to an article titled Guest Says: International, not foreign published on August 13th.
Embracing the differences
Being "different" in a foreign country is not something to be ashamed of. James from the U.S. says, "I'm a lao wai, and I'm proud." Rather than resisting the difference and distinction, he has embraced it. In some instances, many of my friends use the term "lao wai" when making a distinction between colleagues, in mixed company with Chinese and foreigners, and even amongst themselves. Merritt explains that when in the presence of Chinese friends or colleagues, "[lao wai] seems like a joke and hard to imagine being used as a taunt." When a student or friend uses the term, it's used as a nickname rather than as a taunt.
Sometimes being called "lao wai," is just a way of noticing someone. Noticing differences among people is not limited to Chinese people observing foreigners. When David was in Tibet, he could not help but notice the difference in the way people dressed. "I wasn't criticizing them. I was just interested in how they were different than me and I wanted my friends to notice as well." Both foreigners and the Chinese alike notice the differences and share them with their fellow "observers."
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| Agatha So |
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| Agatha So is an American living and working in Beijing. She has been working with PD Online since September 2007. After traveling throughout China and within Beijing for almost two years now, this country still remains fascinating to her in so many ways. She has spent more than a year traveling throughout China and within Beijing. She would like to share her experiences with you, and welcomes any comments or feedback you may have. |
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