The response in China to different backgrounds and sexuality

Obviously this is not the most comfortable topic to write about but we feel it’s important to make our applicants aware of some of the scenarios that may present themselves when spending a significant amount of time in China. The first point I’d like to make is that Chinese people on the whole are some of the most welcoming and accommodating people you could ever wish you to meet. The kindness and hospitality I have experienced is beyond what I could ever have imagined and has meant I have adopted China as a second home. There are so many variations between London and Wuhan but I feel just as comfortable in China as I do back home. I would go as far as to say there are I even prefer parts of the lifestyle in China and have become accustomed to and very much miss when I go home.

However within Chinese culture there is a small amount of ignorant behaviour which although rare can be astonishing at times and hard to ignore. Certain views of Chinese people aren’t malicious but due simply to lack of education. It is actually quite shocking what Chinese people don’t know about the rest of the world and although the media outside China concentrate on the positives of their education system such as huge successes in maths and science its worth pointing out that R.E and World history are also important to learn. The lack of these subjects in their education system means Chinese people often fail to look past stereotypes they have seen on TV…..An English gentlemen….a romantic Frenchman……and a beer drinking German is a little monotonous after a while. China is not a multi-cultural society so perhaps it’s a little unfair to compare Wuhan with a city as modern and liberal as London where I am from however our most valued person is our applicants and we feel it’s important everyone understands what you might experience whilst living in China.

With regards to sexuality we have had gay teachers that have come to teach in China with us in previous years who have asked us whether they should make their sexuality public knowledge. I have asked Chinese people in Wuhan on several occasions whether there is a large gay community in Wuhan, the response almost every time has been “No, there are none….we don’t have gays”….Of course they do and I have met a few gay Chinese people in Wuhan however they certainly keep it quite low profile and within their close groups of friends. There is actually one gay bar located along the river in Hankou although it isn’t particularly well known and is quite well hidden. My advice for gay teachers coming to China would be to keep it to yourself until you've made a solid friendship group, I would say it’s probably not wise to make it instantly known to your Chinese co-workers.

Race is another issue where there is a severe lack of education. I was in a taxi with a friend of mine who is South African, he is white and when the taxi driver asked where he was from he simply said….”But…..You aren’t black”….It’s hard to find a response for a comment like that. Another common thing to find is that unless you’re from one of the bigger nations in the world there is a good chance most Chinese people would have never heard of your country. Smaller European nations tend to not be known and Africa seems to just be clumped together as one continent. I have heard the odd derogatory mark made against black people too which is appalling but is a reality. They refuse to accept a Black British national as British and will always say they are African…even if Africa isn’t their background. It’s quite strange considering how many Chinese live in The U.S, Canada and Australia but is suppose that’s just how it is for now, hopefully this is something that will begin to change as China grows economically and inevitably becomes more multi-cultural.