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Q: Do you still get the "privileged foreigner" treatment in China?
I didn't live in China 10-15 years ago but I imagine foreigners got a lot more VIP treatment then than now. But I do actually come across this quite often here. Sometimes it's in a restaurant and I get seated before other Chinese people, or get more attentive service. Once I was in a bar/ktv place and was kindly gestured into a vip room with free beer and fruit, for no reason other than being foreign.
Not so much anymore, and I like it. When I first came I was the subject of interest at various banquets and KTV nights, and while I got loads of free food and beer, no one would leave me alone and I felt like a bit of a tool.
I like being able to blend in and avoid the attention, though in Hangzhou you still get stares at times.
Not so much anymore, and I like it. When I first came I was the subject of interest at various banquets and KTV nights, and while I got loads of free food and beer, no one would leave me alone and I felt like a bit of a tool.
I like being able to blend in and avoid the attention, though in Hangzhou you still get stares at times.
Yes it still happens and at times I don't mind. The only times I don't like it are on occasions where you are paraded around a bit as the "foreigner" guest as easyrider said above.
In the supermarket I get looked after, at the school, in some restaurants - all good. Not on the streets though. As a pedestrian I am still a target for Chinese drivers as are all pedestrians I guess but I do continue the habit of walking across a street at a pedestrian crossing regardless of traffic and basically dare the car to hit me. So far so good. If you don't hear from me for a while then I dared one too many times!!!
It's not as obvious any more these days but I do feel I still get extra attention from the male population in this country (not trying to sound conceited or anything but i's true!). Waiters are friendlier to me in bars and restaurants than to Chinese customers, as are sales staff who often have that star-struck "Oh my God there's a foreigner in my store" look and shower me with compliments. VIP access to KTV rooms and clubs not so much though.
It's mainly when I shop at the market I get the special foreigner friendly prices. I do not see other signs of privileged treatment.
Maybe since there are plenty of rich locals now, and plenty of poor foreigners, they general understanding has changed so there is no longer any need to suck up to foreigners (unless they arrive in an expensive car)
When it comes to some things, definitely! I didn't pay for one single thing to eat until my second week here and even now, I get half my food/drinks paid for me, because the Chinese think paying for your meal is a great token of kindness and they all want to be friends with the foreigner. Trust me, this isn't a complaint 
Yes...but too much.
I am invited out multiple times per week to KTV and bars by my Chinese friends and their friends to drink and I never have to pay. They like the face they gain from having a foreign friend and I am all to happy to oblige if the drinks are free.
Not to mention the attention from the Chinese girl's.
It's tough being a rock star!
In my experience, it can vary from day to day and sometimes from minute to minute!
On occasion, foreigners are treated like Rock Stars!
On others, they are treated as half witted children.
And on other occasions still, they are treated as barely tolerated nuisances.
Sometimes all three in the same day!
sorrel:
have you been treated like a half-witted Rock Star that has become a nuisance?
i love it when the say "you so clever" in such a patronizing way. I am not any different from other women at home !
Scandinavian:
when they say that, they are telling you you are wrong, or more to the fact, they think you are wrong.
i get specially prices in the fresh markets and everywhere else where are no price tags.
(special = tripple price)
gouxiong:
Why not? Everywhere the business is about getting the 'dumbers' stripped naked ...
Privileged to pay ten fold more for schools ? privileged to pay more for anything on wet market ? Privileged to be insane daily ? yes, I am
