Laowai's Daily A Russian in China

1May/100

Duck and cover

Unlike in the West, getting sun-tanned for a Chinese woman is a real tragedy. For comparison, it's as if you suddenly got pimples all over your face. Imagine what a shame it is. Everyone would think that you're sun-tanned because you're from a village and work in the field. And all the money you spent on countless whitening creams is wasted for nothing.

So if you left your umbrella at home, and you get suddenly attacked by the bright sun, you have to find something to cover with, and better find it quickly. Like a plastic washbowl, for example.

4Jan/100

It’s safer here

Night Beijing at DongzhimenOne of the most important and striking differences of Beijing (and probably other Chinese cities, too) compared to Russian cities is that when you are walking late at night in dark narrow alleys (underground crossings / avenues / whatever), and some girl walks in front of you, she's not looking back, speeding up, turning or running away. Not even when she hears your steps closer and closer.

Welcome. Welcome to City of Beijing. It's safer here.[1]

8Oct/091

Passion for big eyes

Big eyes are popular in Asia. Just look at any anime/manga - these monstrous eyes are supposed to be cute: the bigger the better.

And so, desperately trying to make their eyes look as big as possible, silly Chinese girls would often take pictures like this one:

She looks so scared with her eyes wide open!

Fact: some girls even stretch their eyes with their hands when they are being photographed.