An Australian sexologist has revealed the astonishing cultural differences she has observed during her work in China. These range from the open-minded attitudes towards bodily functions to the difficulties in talking about consent.
Kiki Maree, who is a sexologist and an educator, has been in China conducting workshops centered on women’s pleasure and training local women in basic sex coaching. She was initially invited for a one – week engagement in December. Since then, she has come back for a month – long stay and is now contemplating an indefinite move.
Kiki has been chronicling her experiences on social media, sharing her insights into the marked differences between Chinese and Western perspectives on women’s bodies, the process of ageing, and social customs. She told FEMAIL, “Experiencing how diverse cultures deal with bodies, gender, and identity broadens our perception of what can be achieved. When we learn from one another, we can overcome shame, question the norms, and achieve greater empowerment.”
Women openly burp and fart – and no one minds
One of the initial things Kiki noticed was the absence of a negative perception regarding bodily functions such as farting and burping. She stated, “I can’t describe how great it feels to release the air that needs to be let out whenever it seems appropriate.”
Although these actions are regarded as impolite in both cultures, she pointed out that in the West, especially women are expected to “behave like a lady” and hold back their natural bodily functions.
People on Chinese online forums disclosed that while it is considered normal to burp openly in the presence of others, it is “disapproved of” by those in higher social classes.
An expatriate working in China wrote on Reddit, “Even female colleagues regularly burp right in front of me after lunch at work. It still amazes me even after being here for many years.”
Another teacher said, “Table manners in China usually vary depending on social class, economic status, age, and location. Over the years, having talked about table manners with at least a couple of thousand students, I’ve always found it fascinating that ‘chewing with your mouth closed’ is seldom mentioned as a taboo or something not to do. As far as I can recall, belching has never been part of the discussion. Most of the table manners my students mention are related to how to interact with the food, tableware, and other diners at the table.”
Some examples of “poor” table manners include moving food around on shared plates, making noise with chopsticks and the bowl, and eating a dish before the elders have had a chance to taste it. The teacher added, “If I had to make a generalization, I would say that, compared to the US for instance, belching and eating food noisily are less frequently regarded as extremely repulsive in China.”
