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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I’m afraid, while the Vietnamese are wonderful people, they’re not very subtle and pretty rude when it comes to body size and fat shaming. It’s not pleasant. Sorry.
Funny story. I got on the back of a Grab motorcycle and all the way to the destination the guy is shouting ‘toobee, toobee, toobee’. Only when I was dismounting did I realise he was actually shouting ‘too big, too big…’ in reference to my size!! I just laughed and laughed. Even a regular-sized European is classed as ‘toobee’ there. It’s funny. Just laugh it off. 😜
Blunt is good. If you are fat you’ll hear you are fat. Poland works the same way and I so prefer it to, say, Midwest niceness, where they smile to your face, while backstabbing.
They will not coat sugar
Absolutely. Someone will point it out. It’s part of the culture to just be straightforward and blunt about most things. Try to not take it personal.
If you get clothes made expect a comment like- you big lots of fabric more expensive- or similar. In a car maybe – you big sit in front- etc. It’s not mean or malicious it’s just fact.
They’ll talk about you in Vietnamese (especially if you’re black and heavy). Also, many traditional places (bathrooms, stores, stairs) and gym equipment and beds are not designed for “traditional” or even plus size people. I have alot of muscle from lifting weights and they consider that “fat.” 🤨
Expect nothing but Kindness the VN people only care about making your stay as welcoming as possible. I have nothing but good things to say about the people here. But, be careful as a travellers there will always be good and bad and it’s how you protect yourself that matters.
No, unlike the West, respect is the norm !
I did not get any rude comments when I was there. They were all very friendly and helpful 😊