Tom Vamvanij asks an important language question, at least for us Americans:

Waiguoren v.s. Laowai

It’s full of all kinds of interesting etymological tidbits–to summarize:

… “laowai”, which you say is supposed to be “the most polite word the Chinese have for foreigners” (p. 119, 7th edition). Under no circumstances is that true — not even in theory.

One Response to “Waiguoren v.s. Laowai”

1. lao wai says:

   10/20/2007 at 9:55 pm

   乜野啦. Anything polite can be said sarcastically. I’m not usually offended by it, but sometimes I am. Entirely depends on context.

   I think I’m usually less offended by a plain ‘ol waiguoren than I am by laowai. There’s just less underhandedness to be had in the more descriptive waiguoren, not as much room for sarcasm.

   Reply