Would it be safe to live in China as an American?
Many Americans have anti-Chinese sentiments. Is it same with the Chinese people or are they friendlier to foreigners(Americans in general)? Thanks.
China - 11 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I know a family that moved to China. They fit in quite well. Of course, it was with the wealthier, more educated class, but still. They said that they knew their activities were being monitored by the government from time to time. Kind of freaked them out, but they got used to it. Nothing ever happened to them
2 :
Of course it's okay. My friend Michael moved there because something with his dad's work. And he seems to be very happy and enjoys life there.
3 :
It's safe. I know many people and even a few close friends that lived there for extended periods of time (years, even). The Chinese are cool about it.
4 :
Chinese people are VERY friendly to Americans and foreigners in general, (unless you have darker skin). However most Chinese do not like the American govt.
5 :
Chinese for the most part are quite jealous of Americans and many times they reveal this attitude. They believe that all Americans are rich and they definately has the wrong impression of the USA. American TV and movies are widely watched and therefore their opinions are incorrect. What is really inside a Chinese person is difficult to detect. With strangers, even amongst their own people, they keep silent and never communicate or even nod their head in recognition of another person, even if it is a neighbor. If you develop a relationship with a Chinese person, a degree of friendliness can be recognized but not like amongst westerners. Concerning your main question, safety is not an issue in China unless you are crossing the street. Robberies are infrequent against foreigners and in eight years in China, I have never heard any foreigner being attached with a weapon. Abused yes, verbally but not physically. I have lived here for years and still do not understand the Chinese mentality. Although I have "friends" they are few, few, few and far between. I have lived in the same apartment building for years and my neighbors on my floor have never even said hello or nodded their head or even smiled at me. If they had found me dead on the corridor floor, they would have stepped right over me and went on their way.
6 :
I'm a Chinese living in China. It's surprised to me that many Americans has anti-Chinese sentiments. But in China, many Chinese people are very friendly to American friends or clients or guests.
7 :
I've been living in China with my husband and two young children for the past 5+ years (will be 6 years in August) and lived in China for 2.5 years back in the late 80s and early 90s. While you will find people with anti-American sentiments, you will find them to be about the same in number as those with similar attitudes towards China. Once you get to know people, then it isn't about nationality, but about personality. I've lived in this particular apartment for close to four years now and I know my neighbors. I give them cookies when I bake . . . they give me delicacies when they cook. I play with their children and grandchildren. I stop and talk to them in the square . . . they stop and talk to me. I have friends with whom I can lament about the challenges of parenthood and they offer sympathetic ears and helpful advice. In other words, you get out of something what you put into it. Most people expect foreigners to stay for a year or two and then move on. They're not going to invest in a relationship that is just going to disappear. However, now that I've passed the test of time, I would say that my friendships are thriving and will continue to do so. (There is one man on campus who hates me. I've tried to talk with him and I've always been pleasant to him. The last time he berated me in public for being a foreigner, my shopkeeper friend also tried to calm him down. After he left, she told me not to worry . . . that he hates everybody!) Oh, and yes, I feel quite safe here. Biggest problem is to be aware of pickpockets. I have had a couple of gang encounters where I've busted up fights (won't stand by and watch helplessly), but there were no repercussions against me. Perhaps that's when its very advantageous to be a middle-aged white woman!
8 :
The anti-Chinese sentiments in America is spurred on by the media and government. America has always had a bogeyman to blame it's problems on. Germans, Russians, Japanese have all been portrayed as "oo they're coming to get us" types.
9 :
Of course it is safe. Just don't do the crime because the judicial system there is appalling. Other than that, it doesn't matter where you come from, as long as you don't act like you know it all and preach democracy and be the loud American that everyone of us in Asia dreads. Only because it can get obnoxious and embarassing.
10 :
No. Chinese media often negativity paints westerns as ‘foreign devils’ always wanting to do bad things to China. Due to this negative stereotypes towards Westerners are clearly imprinted in Chinese minds and they will always view you with some distrust or vengeful thoughts. Only lately has Chinese media have admitted that they do this. http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2011-04/08/content_12292927.htm As a general rule it is always better to not carry money with you in China and to avoid dark alleyways and never take unregistered taxis.
11 :
it's safe to live in China. I have two friends who went Chian for several years. they like China, Chinese people and Chinese food.
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