[Here is a useful discussion from experienced China teachers about appropriate clothing that appeared on the tefl-China list in aug. 1998.] Hello all, I've found the comments on whether or not to mention inappropriate clothing to students very interesting. Someone mentioned that we as teachers need to be aware of our own attire, also. I have a question along that line. I had read before I went to China the first time, in 1994, that older women there did not wear bright clothing. So, at 60+, I left my red jacket at home....but took a very modestly styled (shirtwaist) kelly green dress. I think it seemed to me so plain and old-womanish in design that I forgot the color! Since then one of my students remarked that he/she remembers what I wore the first day in class...that green dress! It's a little late to worry about it, but I've wondered if it seem inappropriate to my students. No big deal....but I am going back pretty soon and really would prefer not to stand out. Can anyone advise me as to the "appropriate" garb for someone pushing 70? Thanks in advance. Joan Weigold teacher, USA ------------------ Hi Joan, In my experience, the folks here WON'T wear clothes like that, but they admire the bright clothing. We had a woman, a very young 63, at our school in Liaoning Province and she always wore bright clothing and everyone admired her. I don't think it's a problem at all. They don't--but you can! Susan Donggguan ------------------ Dear all, I find all this discussion about clothing fascinating. Really. Since I am a fashion-challenged person, I will only contriubte this caveat for male teachers: If you are thinking about bringing your favorite John Deere or Greenbay Packers hat from the U.S. here, don't. Unless you want the entire Province of Hunan, or wherever you happen to be teaching to be laughing at you behind your back. The expression "to wear a green hat" in Chinese means that a man's wife is cheating on him. This is because wearing a green had apparently makes one look like a turtle to the Chinese, (stay with me here), which can be another word for cuckhold or bastard. Thus, the late Deng Xiao Ping really had the masses in stiches with his famous proclamation that the Chinese were "all dear children", which in his Sichuan accent sounded like "turtle's children". Moral: leave the green hats at home, fellas. And if anyone ever calls you a turtle, you now know that "them's fightin' words!" Cordially, Chris Barclay (Guangzhou) [From another message by Chris, more advice about clothing:] When I began teaching in Beijing 1988, things were a little more formal, but I think you can get away with a dress shirt and chinos (no jeans, no sneakers). Smart casual-like. Take a cue from your students and try to dress up just a bit from there. Remember, you are an authority figure to them so dress the part. When I guest lecture now, I wear a tie (half windsor knot, no pin). ------------- To: Joan Weigold. I was there a year ago -- I'm in my late 50's. I wore slacks much of the time -- but I taught in south China, where winter attire is a thick coat, indoors and out, even for dinner with the university president! Summer attire now is very gorgeous, the Chinese are doing very interesting things with fabric and texture. I would have fun. Foreigners can get away with doing almost anything -- "big noses" can be eccentric. I would dress for comfort and pleasure, and forget other considerations. Carol Pollard -------------- For Carol and Joan, I don't quite agree with everything Carol said (sorry Carol). Even tho the Chinese sometimes dress in ways that are unique to the western style of dress, you should keep in mind that for many we are their first contact with the "outside world" and we certainly do leave an impression. I was very embarrassed my first year here, when I wore jeans and a t-shirt to an enterainment function on campus--as my impression was that the Chinese dress casually most of the time. However, I was then escorted to a seat in the very front row, and later when I realized my mistake and apologized, was told that it was okay as we know the Americans don't dress very well. BOY what an eye opener. The students, by the way, looked much better than I did. I suggest casual most of the time but dress appropriately when invited out and especially to affairs with a written invitation. Even after being advised of this, we had one gal arrive in jeans ("because I rode my bike") to a very formal Christmas dinner with the mayor of our city. Susan Dongguan --------------------- To Carol, Yes, I agree! I am in the south now, but spent 3 years in the northeast. It was too cold to wear anything but pants and I did wear jeans to teach as they were lined and the warmest pants I had (over my longjohns). I rarely wear stockings here either. Too hot in the south and no need in the north as you are always in pants (for nine months). My point is that many teachers do look rather sloppy as they assume that as the public places in China are not very clean that the Chinese don't care about neatness and cleanliness. This is simply not the case -- and yes I KNOW it clearly appears that way. I find the Chinese people ARE in fact very concerned with appearance, in spite, of the impression given to foreigners by public places. I feel strongly that the impression we give as foreigners IS important. But I also agree with Carol that the slacks versus skirts, or color, is not an isssue. Am off traveling for a month today. Will chat again when I return. Susan Dongguan