After immigrating to the United States for investment, one naturally becomes curious about many things and phenomena, such as why American handsome men prefer Chinese ugly women. Focusing on American immigrant life and listening to American voices: Chinese people often cannot understand the 'strange' aesthetic concepts of Americans. Chinese people find it hard to believe that women considered unattractive, such as Chinese-American movie stars Liu Yanling and Bai Ling, can become immensely popular across the Atlantic. Why do Americans prefer Chinese 'ugly women'?
According to traditional Chinese aesthetic concepts, a beautiful woman should be fair, slim, tall, have a pure temperament, and delicate features. In contrast, American aesthetic concepts are much more flexible; they primarily value personality over appearance: being cheerful, healthy, confident, and energetic is considered 'beautiful' in the eyes of Americans. For example, Angelina Jolie does not fit the traditional standards of beauty, but her boldness and strong character make her an admired figure in America.
Another point that cannot be overlooked is that she is voluptuous and sexy. In the eyes of Americans, a 'beautiful woman' may not have a pretty face but must have ample breasts and hips. The daringly revealing actress Bai Ling has tapped into the psychology of Americans. She has shattered the traditional image of Eastern women as fragile. Although many consider her vulgar and even a disgrace to Chinese people, she has carved out her own niche in the predominantly white Hollywood. Ordinary American girls also love to wear tight low-rise jeans and form-fitting tops with deep V-necks, deliberately highlighting their gender characteristics.
I wonder if the Chinese advocacy of 'one white covers a hundred flaws' has remnants of feudal thought? Women who stay at home and are sheltered naturally have fair skin, but fairness does not necessarily reflect a person's health; 'pale as a ghost' can even signal health issues. If choosing a spouse based on this standard, it does not align with the primal needs of humanity— the ultimate purpose of life is to pass on one's DNA, and a healthy partner naturally produces healthy children. Healthy skin is sufficient to reflect a person's health; no matter how fair the skin, it cannot indicate a person's inner self. Some wealthy Chinese men seeking marriage even list 'fair skin' as the primary condition, turning the serious matter of choosing a lifelong partner into a farce.
Interestingly, some Americans, although they may discriminate against people with naturally darker skin, view dark skin as a symbol of health and beauty. Americans not only have never had the habit of using parasols but also find ways to spend time at the beach to tan their skin, even using tanning beds and spray tans, which we Chinese find unbelievable.
American women are naturally endowed, most of them having ample breasts.
Most Americans believe that a proportionate figure is the most beautiful, yet many vain women are dissatisfied with their natural breast size and seek help from plastic surgeons. Unfortunately, excessive augmentation can have drawbacks: one is the risk of back pain—can you avoid muscle strain when supporting two bowling balls every day!? The second is that breasts can sag easily.
Americans' obsession with buttocks has reached a crazy level, even coining the term 'bootilicious' to describe desirable buttocks. There is also a saying in China that 'a big butt is good for childbirth,' which has some scientific basis. Americans believe that a butt should not only be large but also round and perky, not flat. This standard applies to both genders. Surveys indicate that 70% of women pay attention to the buttocks of unfamiliar men. Sagging buttock muscles are seen as a sign of aging and decline, and the higher a person's hormone levels, the perkier their buttocks. The buttocks of Black women are considered the 'best' among all races.
Americans do not place much emphasis on height; beauty pageants often feature winners who are only 1.6 meters tall—beauty should be holistic, and height is just a small part of it, after all, height is not a measure of intelligence. American law even stipulates that job postings cannot specify height or appearance requirements, as this would be considered discrimination.
However, the health-conscious America is also the most obese country in the world. Recent scientific data shows that the North American continent is sinking towards the American side, and Americans jokingly attribute this to their obesity. Even with rising fuel prices, Americans are still unwilling to give up their large cars, and obesity is one of the deciding factors. I wear large-sized clothes in China but wear size 4 in America, while the average American woman wears size 9, highlighting the difference. Why are Americans so overweight? Food is the cheapest consumer good in the resource-rich United States, and the higher the calorie content, the cheaper the food. Fast food items like chips, soda, fried chicken, various sweets, and chemically synthesized juices all fall into the category of 'junk food.'
Thus, the poorer people tend to eat more and become fatter, with little time for exercise; some homeless individuals are even so overweight that they cannot walk, which is the opposite of the situation in China. Obesity brings endless health problems. Nutritionists have become one of the most popular professions in America. Believing that medication can cure everything, Americans have invented countless weight loss pills and devices. A few Americans who have repeatedly failed at weight loss have even resorted to surgery, removing a significant portion of their stomachs, and can only eat small meals frequently afterward. A television report followed a woman weighing over 600 pounds (nearly 300 kilograms) who was bedridden and in critical condition. After undergoing gastric bypass surgery, she lost over 200 pounds in six months, truly a case of cutting flesh to survive.
From the differences in aesthetic concepts between China and the United States, one can glimpse the roots of certain social phenomena.
Characteristics of Chinese Women in the Eyes of Americans
1. "Chinese women give me a very relaxed feeling"
A small joke can make them burst into laughter; this unique sense of humor is very attractive to me. When I first arrived in Shanghai, the women there left a deep impression on me. Shanghai women appear very refined and sophisticated at first glance, making them hard to read, and they are particularly attentive to fashion and careers; Beijing women, on the other hand, are more down-to-earth, more interested in culture, and their concerns are broader. However, girls in big cities come from all over China, making it difficult to categorize them into just one or two types.
2. "Dating a Chinese woman is like dating her whole family"
To understand China and integrate into this environment quickly, my Chinese girlfriend has been a great help. She tells me what Chinese people are thinking and what is happening in society, which feels more real than reading the news myself. Chinese women are very loyal to family, friendship, and love, with a strong sense of responsibility. If you date a Chinese woman, it is like dating her whole family. After just a few dates, they will mention their family, as if testing whether you can take on the responsibilities of her entire family, which is quite different from foreign women. Some of my friends feel this is quite a pressure, but I have learned from them about 'giving' and 'tolerance.' Loving someone means accepting everything about her, which is quite okay for me!
3. "Once familiar, Chinese women can even be overly proactive, bombarding you with calls"
Dating a Chinese woman is like dancing a duet: she retreats as you advance, and you must retreat when she advances. If you get too close, you step on toes; if you are too far, you lose attraction—it's truly a technical skill! They tend to lack a sense of security and will always observe you from a safe distance. They like confident men, and your speech and body language must be relaxed and natural for them to feel secure and comfortable. Then, tell them a few jokes to make them happy, and soon you can become friends. Once familiar, they can be very direct, even overly proactive, bombarding you with calls, which can truly scare men away!
4. "Traveling with Chinese women is also a very enjoyable experience"
They do not emphasize individuality as much as Western women, who argue about who drives today and which route to take tomorrow. They like to go with the flow and are particularly curious about new things, taking photos wherever they go.
I once went on vacation in Southeast Asia with my Chinese girlfriend, and she could take photos non-stop whether at the beach or even in front of a tree. She does not mind what others think and just wants to preserve memories for as long as possible, which I find very endearing.
Her little tips for happiness for Chinese girls: do not be afraid to be different from others, be brave to be yourself! Be a bit more confident! A loving relationship should be like a friendship; really, do not bombard with calls.
5. Chinese women are truly elegant
When I first arrived in Beijing, my first impression was that Chinese women are truly elegant! Their body curves are beautiful, and their walking posture is also attractive; even simple clothes make them look stunning. Some Chinese women have a pile of Western brand bags and clothes, which instead hide their advantages. I think Chinese women are very lucky to have such a rich cultural background; they can easily find topics to talk about and can chat endlessly, which I really enjoy.
I believe Chinese women are truly soft on the outside and strong on the inside; even their assertiveness carries a strong feminine charm, gentle yet not pressuring others, and they do not harm others. Western women, on the other hand, appear very assertive but are often quite fragile psychologically.