I have had hundreds of Chinese people stare at me as I walk around Beijing. I want to be clear, I am not talking about a quick look over, but an intense, trance-like stare, right in the eyes. I started to stare back, with a slightly annoyed look on my face, to see if that would make them stop, but this only seemed to make them stare more. Had I only read the following helpful hint from Ralph's guidebook before I got to China:
"Staring is not considered rude in China. Be prepared for intense, prolonged looks. Keep in mind that staring is usually nothing more than friendly curiosity and, if you show annoyance, this may result in continued staring."
I have had hundreds of Chinese people stare at me as I walk around Beijing. I want to be clear, I am not talking about a quick look over, but an intense, trance-like stare, right in the eyes. I started to stare back, with a slightly annoyed look on my face, to see if that would make them stop, but this only seemed to make them stare more. Had I only read the following helpful hint from Ralph's guidebook before I got to China: