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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Normally, the local might say “you gain weight” or “you look overweight” under cordial looks as they just care about your health they don’t mean to hurt you. Don’t be afraid to confess “Yes, but I’m trying to be on diet” with 😄. Then the local will say “Just do it later, do exercise more when you back to your country, but now you have to enjoy all of Vietnamese food, they are yummy, otherwise you will be regretted” 😊😊🙃🙃. After that, they are very happy to give you a long list of delicious and healthy signature Vietnamese food 😁😁😁😁😁
Better grow some skin, helps with carrying the weight as well.
Yeah, in all of SE Asia. They may just be polite around you. But if you understand the language, you’ll see.
We didn’t experience that, only reference was to our age being ‘grandparents’ which we aren’t but by Vietnamese family standards, we would be. I wasn’t offended but amused. mini bus seats can be more comfortable for the dainty Asian bottom than westerners though….
I wouldnt think so, Vietnamese people are very nice people
I had a guy run across the street to rub my belly and he proceeded to yell “happy Budda”. It is not meant as harmful but sizes are difficult for large people.
If you look different in any place just accept stares and wispers. Like white/black/big/small. Some cultures have no filters
unless you speak/ understand Vietnamese, you wouldn’t know. Don’t worry about it. Just enjoy.
Yes. It’s a thing they do there. But keep this in mind. You’re a tourist, so just enjoy your vacation. You may or may not see them again. So don’t let that bothers you or ruined your vacation.
I am over 100kg and when I got on the back of a motorbike in Ninh Binh I got the impression the driver made a comment in Vietnamese to another person about my weight because they both laughed. But then again she was fat too and maybe she just made a joke about two fat ladies on the bike, I don’t know. I don’t speak a word of Vietnamese so I don’t know for sure what she said. Otherwise, nobody said anything (even though I wouldn’t have been surprised). The majority of Vietnamese people I met were very friendly and helpful. They really do go out of their way to please you and are proud that you want to see their country.