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 would call me Happy Buddah and rub my belly. I started to have fun with it. I started to call myself happy Buddah. I dont consider myself huge but I am carrying about 40 lbs I dont need. I really dont think they say things to hurt your feelings. I found the comments to be innocent. We were there for 3 weeks from Sapa to the Mekong Delta the comment was always the same…..Happy Buddah.
Culturally, when we Vietnamese say “Béo” (litterally “chubby” but more like “healthy” and NOT fat!). Fat is “mập”), it is ment to be a compliment.
Where is the question?
Im a hefty guy and speak Viet fluently. If you don’t understand it don’t worry about it.
Very few locals in Vietnam are overweight, locals stare at tourists anyway, I was there for 3 months and wasn’t on a diet or watching what I ate and actually lost 10kg without trying so that may be a good thing….
No they are extremely polite. However things may be small chairs etc.
Vietnam has the lowest obesity rate in the world for a reason. But as a Vietnamese who is living in the US, my advise for you is to take everything jokes like in Vietnam lightly because noone has hatred toward you even when you hear things might sound like racism in the US but it’s all curiosity or concern for literally strangers. In the US, any comments like that might lead to harassment or even assault or hatred but not in Vietnam. Most people will be very kind to you, just avoid PDA, or obscene clothing. You might hear some words that are translated directly to “fat” but trust me, NOT an insult. I’m considered average height, skinny in the US but aunties and uncles and close friends would call me big/tall and fat. All goodwill and push for you to get better. Don’t take it to your heart. And here is something I’m gonna say to you that might be considered discrimination in the US but it’s how Vietnamese are: stay and eat in Vietnam for 3-6 months, you will get to a healthier weight without much efforts.
We will comment but not in a mocking way. Mostly kind of worry about health problems or just a commun speak like “how are you”
Two young girls about 3 said my husband had a baby in his tummy on the train lucky he thought it was hilarious
My husband is a “big boy” we’ve been going there for years and never felt unwelcome by any of them. Besides if they talk about you, unless you understand Vietnamese you won’t know what they are saying…lol Enjoy your stay.