Passing in foreign countries

[michelle.ch]

I've been enjoying reading Barbie's adventures back in Korea.

This has made me think about something I read before about it being easier to pass outside one's own ethnic group or in a foreign country.

When I think about the difference between a western male face and an East Asian male face, an East Asian face (from a western perspective) has a softer jaw line and the eyes are not as deep-set. From a Western perspective this would be the opposite, so the generally stronger jaw line and deeper set eyes of a western male (to an East Asian observer) would appear more as typical marks of ethnicity rather than of gender, and therefore it would be much easier for me to pass in China than in Australia.

At least this is my theory. I aim to test it out in China over the next few months, with heels (perhaps 3") and without! 

It wouldn't be very scientific if I didn't try it out here first though as a control. But more newson that later, when I can upload images.ahy

[barbie]

My experience tells that it has been far easier to pass in the U.S. or in the European countries. In western countries, people still recognized me as a woman even after hearing my voice, which is rare in my country. My theory is that the ethnic group you belong to read you best.

Barbie~~

[tekla]

the ethnic group you belong to read you best

Or at the very least, the one you grew up around.  But yeah, pretty much, the most familiar people to you.

[michelle.ch]

I thought that might be the case, and I'd been thinking that going out in public in China would be an easier experience than doing it here. In the end, I'm going to take the plunge and do it here anyway! I'm really looking forward to it.

[barbie]

Yesterday I had breakfast with my colleague at a luxurious hotel in Seoul. When I got the check, the price for buffet breakfast was ca. US$40. Oh. My gosh. Just absurd. And workers there continued to speak to me in English. After receiving the check, I spoke in Korean to express my shock at the price.

Anyway, at places like hotels where many foreigners visit, workers there always speak to me in English. Also in airflights, most attendants spoke to me in English, giving me English newspapers such as wall street journal. And they kindly change the menu of the small screen to English mode for me, and I have to change it again to Korean mode.

Even in the street, some guys try to speak to me in English.

Whether I pass or not here in my country, I already look exotic to them. And m2f transgender anyway equals 'exotic' here. And, in foreign countries, would they think I look cognate to them? Maybe not. I guess I look exotic universally.

Barbie~~