you will probably face curiosity to such an extreme level that it will be uncomfortable. but it's more inexperience and ignorance than racism. there are, however, a number of racist foreigners around.

that being said, i still think you will probably love it here

By all means - - come to Kunming and enjoy. I am an American (white) with a Chinese wife. We lived in the US the first 40 years of our marriage. There were some places she encountered prejudice (due to ignorance) - - but she always laughed about it as she knew she was better than them.

As to here - - not only am I American - - but I'm a cowboy. When I walk the streets here in Kunming in my cowboy boots, Wranglers, Stetson, etc - - I get LOTS of stares (even some comments). So the locals will stare at anything different (and I mean really stare). Places like Beijing and Shanghai have so many foreigners that most don't get a second glance - - but not that way yet in Kunming.

I wouldn't let it worry me. If you dress like a lady - - act like a lady - - folks will think you're a lady. Some foreigners here dress like bums so get treated like bums!

As an added comment a black from America is definitely treated different than those from Africa. There is not only color prejudice towards them - - but geographical prejudice as a police friend (Foreign Affairs Police) said they feel many (most?) Africans coming here have something to do with drugs.

Just my thoughts - - and close with the thought again - - COME AND ENJOY!!

Cheers - - JJ

Hello again,

Thanks so much for all of your comments. They are just what I was hoping for, honest and insightful! My hopes are high and my mind is in a positive place. I arrive on the 1st, and I plan on doing so with a smile :) And JJ, enjoy it I shall!

I agree with all these comments, though I HATE those stares. They may be curious, but it is rude and ignorant to stare for any length of time. I can understand watching a crime scene or a traffic accident for a length of time but not a person. A quick glance might be OK, but imagine if we stared at someone back home. Most likely we'd end up with a black eye.

If people are curious, they should just come up to us and talk...there's nothing more intimidating and uncomfortable than some jackass staring with his eyeballs half way outside their sockets and then going away or some other asshole saying hellooooo!! thinking that's even remotely funny (it's not...get a life and find out what real humor is all about).

I'm wondering what your experiences have been so far xuqiu19. Hopefully positive and I sincerely hope that your experiences have not been too bad...unfortunately this country still has a long way to go to achieve racial equality.

@yuanyangren: if you hate stares - try visiting france or spain - they love to stare at people. An ancient roommate once told me (he's spanish) that europeans don't intend to be rude - they're just admiring the scenery - taking in your dress style, etc.

As for assholes - China's a big country - percentage wise we have roughly the same percentage of assholes as most other countries, regardless of race, creed, religion, etc - however the population density just means China has 4-5 times as many assholes as per se the USA, by sheer number.

The problem is exacerbated by the simple fact that populations are drawn to cities - giving the appearance of Chinese cities having a higher per capita asshole rank...and there you have it...pseudo-science.

Thanks for your comment laotou. Yes, I have visited France and Spain...can't recall any staring though, but then again, why would they stare at me, besides, I'm practically French anyway...though I didn't spend enough time in either country to really get a "feel" for these countries, but I digress.

I think it's also all about attitude. You need to be a confident person to make it here. If you aren't, you'll probably dread every moment you step outside of your apartment for fear someone might look at you, make some stupid comment or something else - I've been there, but really, I should have just been more confident and not let it get to me. I've changed my attitude so things have improved now.