Call women “Beauty 美女”， Call men “Handsome guy 帅哥”

Call women “Beauty 美女”， Call men “Handsome guy 帅哥”
May 2, 2008 22:32
LEONARDO Points: Join Date: May 21, 2007 Status: offline	Have you ever been called “Beauty” or “Pretty girls”? If so, don’t take it seriously; it is only a way of addressing. Today, China’s youngsters have developped the habit of calling a woman “Beauty”( Měi Nǚ　美女) instead of employing the title Miss or Madame. Most Chinese ladies have been used to being addressed in this way. It seems to be safe enough to call all the female ranging from a baby girl to a senile woman “Beauty美女”. “Beauty” has lost its original meaning. It has become only a flattering word. In big shops, it is common that most female customers are addressed as “beauty”. Once, one of my friends, who went to a theatre, was seated in the last row. He saw a female colleague sittting in the front. So he greeted: “Hi, Beauty (美女)” .To his astonishment, all the female at the theatre turned around and stared at him. He felt very embarassed by the unexpected scene. Once upon a time, women were addressed as “ Tǒng zhi (comrade)” “Dà Jǐe （sister）” Xiao Jie ( Miss). People began to call girls "Miss" (xiao jie) in public under the influence of Western culture following China's opening-up in the late 1970s. However, now “Miss”carries a sense of derogatory meaning. “Miss” in Chinese “小姐” has the underlied meaning of “ mistress or prostitute”. So be carefully, when you call Chinese girls “xiao jie 小姐”. You are at the risk of being punched”. Similarly, “Handsome guy (shuai ge 帅哥)” is the popular way to address “all men”. If you are rational enough, you will find that there are “too many fabricated beauties” in Chinese daily lives. Have you been called “ Beauty美女” or “Handsome Guy 帅哥” in China? How do you address women in China?

May 2, 2008 22:32

LEONARDO
Points:
Join Date: May 21, 2007
Status: offline

Have you ever been called “Beauty” or “Pretty girls”? If so, don’t take it seriously; it is only a way of addressing. Today, China’s youngsters have developped the habit of calling a woman “Beauty”( Měi Nǚ　美女) instead of employing the title Miss or Madame. Most Chinese ladies have been used to being addressed in this way. It seems to be safe enough to call all the female ranging from a baby girl to a senile woman “Beauty美女”. “Beauty” has lost its original meaning. It has become only a flattering word. In big shops, it is common that most female customers are addressed as “beauty”.

Once, one of my friends, who went to a theatre, was seated in the last row. He saw a female colleague sittting in the front. So he greeted: “Hi, Beauty (美女)” .To his astonishment, all the female at the theatre turned around and stared at him. He felt very embarassed by the unexpected scene.

Once upon a time, women were addressed as “ Tǒng zhi (comrade)” “Dà Jǐe （sister）” Xiao Jie ( Miss). People began to call girls "Miss" (xiao jie) in public under the influence of Western culture following China's opening-up in the late 1970s. However, now “Miss”carries a sense of derogatory meaning. “Miss” in Chinese “小姐” has the underlied meaning of “ mistress or prostitute”. So be carefully, when you call Chinese girls “xiao jie 小姐”. You are at the risk of being punched”.

Similarly, “Handsome guy (shuai ge 帅哥)” is the popular way to address “all men”. If you are rational enough, you will find that there are “too many fabricated beauties” in Chinese daily lives. Have you been called “ Beauty美女” or “Handsome Guy 帅哥” in China? How do you address women in China?

May 3, 2008 03:42	#1
GUESTWEST	When I was on my trip to China last month, I had the similar experience. A Chinese guide, who spoke English fluently, called all the female tourists "mei nu". I couldn't understand it because some of the female tourists are not beautiful at all. For the title "Xiao Jie 小姐", I did address the waitresses in that way. They didn't show any unpleasant feeling. Thank you for sharing the tips!

May 3, 2008 11:52	#2
GRIZ326 Points: Join Date: Jun 12, 2006 Status: Offline	Very interesting, Leonardo. I will listen closely on my trip to Guangzhou this summer.

May 3, 2008 19:06	#3
DODGER Points: Join Date: Jul 15, 2007 Status: Offline	My Wife did say not to address any girls usung the turm Xiao Jie.She just said it wasn't very nice. Now I know why. Thanks, Dodger.

May 4, 2008 04:45	#4
GUEST9767	" Beauty" is more of a casual flattery than a sincere compliment. The overuse of " beauty" has blinded us to discover the "genuine beauty".

May 4, 2008 21:53	#5
SHESGOTTOBE Points: Join Date: Nov 23, 2007 Status: Offline	It’s no big deal. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and every person has some beauty, whether outer appearance or personality.

May 4, 2008 22:02	#6
SUNNYDREAM Points: Join Date: Jun 11, 2007 Status: Offline	Shestobe, The problem is that "Beauty" is often used as a flattering cliche. When someone flatters you, he/she must have some purposes. For instance, when an Avon Lady calls you "Pretty girl", she intends to persuade you to buy her cosmetics. that is the trick.

May 4, 2008 22:08	#7
SHESGOTTOBE Points: Join Date: Nov 23, 2007 Status: Offline	Then, I can tell her that since I am already a 'beauty', I don't need the Avon anymore. LOL!

May 4, 2008 22:18	#8
SUNNYDREAM Points: Join Date: Jun 11, 2007 Status: Offline	Haha! Then she will tell you: " Pretty girl, Avon will make you prettier." I don't think any girl can refuse to become prettier.LOL!

May 22, 2008 22:49	#9
SHESGOTTOBE Points: Join Date: Nov 23, 2007 Status: Offline	Sadly, cosmetics can only do so much. I am what I am and I have completely accepted me already. ^_^ Our professor in college joked that he notice that girls go to the restroom after every period to touch up but he said nothing really changed. They still look the same. LOL!

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