DON'T KID YOURSELF: You are being watched!

[A Mafan]

Rule of thumb for the inexperienced:

If you see the same person, separated by time and space, you are probably being watched.

[Guest Tony n Terrific]

I have been with my SO for a week now in Nanning and I do not feel I am being wtched or followed. Who knows. I am low profile guy, the salt of the Earth type. No James Bond with me.

[rogerinca]

 

.....The "watching" that I experience comes from children who have never seen a big white guy; and scowls from men & women who do not approve of a big white guy taking a Chinese woman. People may be flagged for scrutiny when applying for a visa, but I have nothing in my past government service or public life to raise such flags.....

 

 

 

In all my visits and time with Lao Po, I have [never] observed any negative body language or looks, from anyone in Guangzhou/Huadu District. This has been affirmed by my ever watchful wife.

 

When we walk the streets of her local neighborhood, or go into any of the main areas of GZ, the looks are always of curiosity and/or positive energy. But I am always smiling and always say hello to those who look a little longer or seem to take a little more interest in our union.

[griz326]

 

..... and scowls from men & women who do not approve of a big white guy taking a Chinese woman.

 

 

In all my visits and time with Lao Po, I have [never] observed any negative body language or looks, from anyone in Guangzhou/Huadu District. This has been affirmed by my ever watchful wife.

 

When we walk the streets of her local neighborhood, or go into any of the main areas of GZ, the looks are always of curiosity and/or positive energy. But I am always smiling and always say hello to those who look a little longer or seem to take a little more interest in our union.

 

I am a happy, cheerful guy and have always done close-up magic on the streets as an ice-breaker when I travel. I've seen the scowls in every place I have visited with my gal and this has been affirmed by my ever watchful sweetheart. We have not visited GZ together yet, so maybe it is different there.

 

 

When you bring your wife to Eureka, Montana; will she also be "watched"?

 

Absolutely She will face the scowls of the racists in the community and the scrutiny of the 80+ Border Patrol officers in a community of 1000 people. One of my friends is a senior BP officer and I have asked him to help with introductions for Xiaoyuan when she arrives.

[tsap seui]

 

..... and scowls from men & women who do not approve of a big white guy taking a Chinese woman.

 

 

In all my visits and time with Lao Po, I have [never] observed any negative body language or looks, from anyone in Guangzhou/Huadu District. This has been affirmed by my ever watchful wife.

 

When we walk the streets of her local neighborhood, or go into any of the main areas of GZ, the looks are always of curiosity and/or positive energy. But I am always smiling and always say hello to those who look a little longer or seem to take a little more interest in our union.

 

I am a happy, cheerful guy and have always done close-up magic on the streets as an ice-breaker when I travel. I've seen the scowls in every place I have visited with my gal and this has been affirmed by my ever watchful sweetheart. We have not visited GZ together yet, so maybe it is different there.

 

 

When you bring your wife to Eureka, Montana; will she also be "watched"?

 

Absolutely She will face the scowls of the racists in the community and the scrutiny of the 80+ Border Patrol officers in a community of 1000 people. One of my friends is a senior BP officer and I have asked him to help with introductions for Xiaoyuan when she arrives.

 

Griz, I haven't wanted to tell you this...but...last time I was in China I saw your photo hangin' in the China Post Office. What the heck did you do in China back in '78, buddy???

 

I had a big ol' laugh when pkfops asked you about your lil' lady being watched in Montana...I hope you did too.

 

tsap seui

[rogerinca]

 

..... and scowls from men & women who do not approve of a big white guy taking a Chinese woman.

 

 

In all my visits and time with Lao Po, I have [never] observed any negative body language or looks, from anyone in Guangzhou/Huadu District. This has been affirmed by my ever watchful wife.

 

When we walk the streets of her local neighborhood, or go into any of the main areas of GZ, the looks are always of curiosity and/or positive energy. But I am always smiling and always say hello to those who look a little longer or seem to take a little more interest in our union.

 

I am a happy, cheerful guy and have always done close-up magic on the streets as an ice-breaker when I travel. I've seen the scowls in every place I have visited with my gal and this has been affirmed by my ever watchful sweetheart. We have not visited GZ together yet, so maybe it is different there.

 

 

When you bring your wife to Eureka, Montana; will she also be "watched"?

 

Absolutely She will face the scowls of the racists in the community and the scrutiny of the 80+ Border Patrol officers in a community of 1000 people. One of my friends is a senior BP officer and I have asked him to help with introductions for Xiaoyuan when she arrives.

 

 

I visited Nanning twice in 2004, and spent three weeks there on each visit, with a lot of time on the streets and in the shopping areas etc. and again, it was my experience, to not pick up any negative vibes or bad looks from anyone in that city.

 

Moreover, just two months ago, we spent two weeks in Beijing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and then Shanghai. In each of these very diverse cities I absolutely did not receive any bad looks/scowls, negative body language, or rudeness, at any level, with Lao Po on my arm.

 

I just want to keep things in balance for our members who have not yet traveled to the PRC and may have concerns.

 

Keep in mind, given my background and career path, I am very skilled at picking up on negative vibes, from any group of people; I am not oblivious in that regard. I am also able to discern the difference between a look or stare of interest and curiosity, from that of a "scowl".

 

You are the first, as I recall, to report here in this forum, that they are scowled at in "every place" they have visited. B)

Edited February 14, 2008 by rogerinca (see edit history)

[griz326]

Griz, I haven't wanted to tell you this...but...last time I was in China I saw your photo hangin' in the China Post Office. What the heck did you do in China back in '78, buddy???

 

I did have a beautiful young woman mop the sweat from my forehead in a park in Shanghai...but no one took offense and I was flattered as hell!

 

I had a big ol' laugh when pkfops asked you about your lil' lady being watched in Montana...I hope you did too.

 

Unfortunately I did not. Racism imported by non-native Montanans is a very real concern; not enough to cause me to move pre-arrival - but certainly on my radar.

 

I just want to keep things in balance for our members who have not yet traveled to the PRC and may have concerns.

 

They are people, Roger, not saints.

 

I have never experienced a scowl from anyone - anywhere in China when traveling by myself. The only time I have seen scowls directed at me (or maybe my gal) is with my Lao Po on my arm. She is very aware of the dirty looks from her countrymen too.

 

With the shortage of women in China, it is only natural that Chinese men are not happy with white men for taking Chinese women. Consider it the equivalent of the scowls that were often cast at black men with white women in the late 60's and through the 70's.

 

There may also be a cultural component to the scowls when they come from old women. I suspect those dirty looks are directed at my gal for violating some sort of racial purity tradition. Unfortunately, I only know of the existence of it and do not know the background. I believe it grows out of internal Chinese "racism" surrounding the many ethnic peoples (there is actually a Chinese word that better describes it without carrying the terrible connotative meanings that have attached to the word racisim - but I do not have my big computer with me).

[heyjimi]

When i was in Chongqing,I never got the feeling anyone watching me,other than of course ,the local people in curiosity.In fact police there,never bothered me once. I went to Russia twice,they kept good tabs on me there,twice pulled over by the police,and asked for my papers.

 

jimi

[pkfops]

Another twist on being watched.

 

Does anybody carry a PDA (Blackberry) for their employer?

[Shenzhen K-1]

OK, I must admit all the looks I got in Shenzhen!! B)

 

You very big American, hubba, hubba, big boy!! B)

 

B)

[rogerinca]

 

......They are people, Roger, not saints.

 

I have never experienced a scowl from anyone - anywhere in China when traveling by myself. The only time I have seen scowls directed at me (or maybe my gal) is with my Lao Po on my arm. She is very aware of the dirty looks from her countrymen too.

 

With the shortage of women in China, it is only natural that Chinese men are not happy with white men for taking Chinese women. Consider it the equivalent of the scowls that were often cast at black men with white women in the late 60's and through the 70's.

 

There may also be a cultural component to the scowls when they come from old women. I suspect those dirty looks are directed at my gal for violating some sort of racial purity tradition. Unfortunately, I only know of the existence of it and do not know the background.

 

I believe it grows out of internal Chinese "racism" surrounding the many ethnic peoples (there is actually a Chinese word that better describes it without carrying the terrible connotative meanings that have attached to the word racisim - but I do not have my big computer with me).

 

 

Sorry Griz, but I just don't buy into any of this !!

 

It's a little over-the-top, for me.

 

It has never been my experience. Period.

 

As I stated earlier, you are the first, as I recall, to report here in this forum, that they are scowled at in "every place" they have visited.

[Shenzhen K-1]

Hey Griz off topic question??

 

You got your NOA2 on 1/19 and then your GZU number from NVC 11 days later??

Pretty quick mine took almost 1 month to the day!

 

Mark and feng!!

[griz326]

Ignorance is bliss, Roger.

[Yuanyang]

From our own CIA:

 

Ethnic Groups:

 

Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities 8.1%

[rogerluli]

 

......They are people, Roger, not saints.

 

I have never experienced a scowl from anyone - anywhere in China when traveling by myself. The only time I have seen scowls directed at me (or maybe my gal) is with my Lao Po on my arm. She is very aware of the dirty looks from her countrymen too.

 

With the shortage of women in China, it is only natural that Chinese men are not happy with white men for taking Chinese women. Consider it the equivalent of the scowls that were often cast at black men with white women in the late 60's and through the 70's.

 

There may also be a cultural component to the scowls when they come from old women. I suspect those dirty looks are directed at my gal for violating some sort of racial purity tradition. Unfortunately, I only know of the existence of it and do not know the background.

 

I believe it grows out of internal Chinese "racism" surrounding the many ethnic peoples (there is actually a Chinese word that better describes it without carrying the terrible connotative meanings that have attached to the word racisim - but I do not have my big computer with me).

 

 

Sorry Griz, but I just don't buy into any of this !!

 

It's a little over-the-top, for me.

 

It has never been my experience. Period.

 

As I stated earlier, you are the first, as I recall, to report here in this forum, that they are scowled at in "every place" they have visited.

 

I'm voting with Lil' Roger... on this one...NEVER experienced anything like this negative "scowls" in about 3 months in China over 4 trips and visiting many cities... B) maybe perception is everything... B)