CONFUSED

[Kenny同志]

I am afraid I have fallen in love with an American girl. She is smart and charming. But now I am in a dilemma, because she is kind of skin revealing, which is quite unacceptable in Chinese culture. What would I do? Are all American girls skin revealing? ( She doesn't know that I have a crush on her)

[anonymoose]

she is kind of skin revealing, which is quite unacceptable in Chinese culture.

I don't know. Maybe in Hunan, but it's not an uncommon sight in Shanghai (although admittedly far less than in Western countries).

Are all American girls skin revealing?

Revealing skin is not considered anything abnormal, but in a country of 300 million people, of course not everyone will be the same.

What would I do?

I don't think there's much you can do. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

Edited October 8, 2009 at 08:57 AM by anonymoose

[taryn]

kind of skin revealing

hmm...this requires details!

is she addicted to mini-skirts, showing cleavage or just a little too much shoulder?

not sure what's so confusing about the situation but i am a little curious.

[gato]

I am afraid I have fallen in love with an American girl. What would I do? Are all American girls skin revealing? ( She doesn't know that I have a crush on her)

Maybe ask her out to lunch?

[Kenny同志]

the shirt she wears shows her cleavage.

[gato]

It's probably because she's proud of her cleavage. Who knows? Maybe it's one of the reasons you like her.

Here in Shanghai girls wear skirts and shorts that would be considered too short in the U.S. as they are proud of their legs. That's the way it is.

[Kenny同志]

I may need to have a good think about it.

[Jive Turkey]

In a matter such as this, I think forum members would be able to give much better advice if you were to post pictures of said cleavage.

[chinadude2006]

Unacceptable in China? Where in China are you? Just wait until winter then she will cover up.

[Kenny同志]

I am in Hainan, China's southernmost province. hot here.

[James Johnston]

No skin in Hainan? You're going to the wrong beaches!

And the good news about Hainan is that no one needs to smother themselves under layers of thermal underwear during the winter.

The truth is that she is certainly not going to be willing to change, so if you can't accept it you should just move on.

[Kenny同志]

We are in Hainan University. I think culture shock is there and this relationship would not work, so maybe being friends is fine.

[anonymoose]

being friends is fine

You could always try for "friends with benefits".

[James Johnston]

I suggest you take a trip down to Yalong Bay (亚龙湾). By the time you get back to your university you may think she is overdressed.

As others have said, this is not a simple contrast between China and America. You see huge differences within China as you move from western or central China to the big cities of the East coast or, to an even greater extent, the cities of tropical and sub-tropical China.

[Kenny同志]

You have a point there, thanks for your input, James. I think i have no other options but to try to empty her out of my mind.

Edited October 9, 2009 at 05:06 AM by kenny2006woo

[HashiriKata]

I think i have no option but to try to empty her out of my mind.

If you try telling her this, she may change her mind

[gato]

I think i have no option but to try to empty her out of my mind.

There are other options. Have lunch with her first.

[Kenny同志]

谢谢你，gato，刚刚一个人去食堂吃夜宵，碰巧她跟另外一个女生也在那儿，我们每人要了一碗清补凉，聊了一会儿，很开心。今天碰见她两次了。

对了，夜宵 用英文怎么说？

[skylee]

清補涼, my mom used to make this soup.

[renzhe]

夜宵 用英文怎么说

I'd say supper. Or late supper, if it's very late.