Honest question: my wife and I are overweight and not thick-skinned. Are comments or jokes about body weight common in Vietnam? Just want to know what to expect and how to react.Thanks.Honest question: my wife and I are overweight and not thick-skinned. Are comments or jokes about body weight common in Vietnam? Just want to know what to expect and how to react.Thanks.
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They’re only blunt to their family. They aren’t going to make rude comments to strangers or visitors. If anything they might try to be funny but not genuinely trying to insult you.
No not noticed at all
A tour guide told my husband he was happy buddha 🙂 but wasnt being mean
We’re heading there now, I’ll let you know, I’m a 4XL! I’m sure they won’t mind personal comments about their appearance in return…..I won’t mean anything by it, it’s just my culture 😂
In the city not so much but I’m curvy and when I went to the more rural areas there was a lot of pointing & laughing. It ruined my trip quite honestly but I’m going to give it another try as I enjoyed it the first part but as I ventured out not so much….
Not the younger generations as I’d say they are more Westernized with the idea of “body shaming” but for sure from the older generations – you can get called fat from time to time. Nothing mean spirited – they say it more lovingly most of the times. You get called fat because you are fat – it’s more “matter of fact” kind of remark. Like age, never get offended if Vietnamese asks for your age, we need to know that info to address you properly as there are 10 zillion ways to say “you” in Vietnamese depending on age, social class, how close the relationship. Many personal questions for sure, but always done more affectionately most of the times. Vietnamese rarely mean to degrade or make you feel bad, unless you are a distant relative 🤪
I spent a few weeks in Vietnam please dont let people tell you that you will not stand out and that you will not be made uncomfortable because you absolutely will. I am black plus size and have locs and there were days that I wanted to just not go out because the picture taking and the videos by strangers was overwhelming. I have Google earbuds that translate so I could understand the rude comments about my weight even when those people were standing smiling in my face like it was all good they were saying rude things about me to each other. Vietnam is an amazing country at the end of the day I would actually go back..just dont think you wont be a walking exhibition.
I have a very tall friend who constantly gets commented on her height by total strangers (in America and everywhere), so it’s kinda light that for big people in Vietnam. It’s like « oh hey, you’re big » but not meant in a mean way.
yes, these comments are common. They mean to show care and love for you. Although to the westerners, it’s awkward, I know.
Betty LA Mendola this is going to be Thailand 2.0 for me lmaoooo