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We know the standard of beauty varies from person to person, and from place
to place. A psychology professor has offered new evidence in this regard, and in
the process infuriated millions of people.
Zhang Jiehai, based at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, has just
released a new survey, looking at how male Chinese stars are perceived by
Western women. Among his results was the finding that Li Yapeng and Nicolas Tse
were "ugly". In China, they are considered cool, although Li used to be hated by
fans because he dated several big-name actresses in a row. But he has won many
hearts since he married pop singer Faye Wong and started a charity.
I understand why people are upset. But let's look at the reasons cited by
the professor. Western men tend to have short hair, he said, which exudes an air
of masculinity. But many Chinese male stars prefer long hair, and long hair is
often associated with the homeless.
Now, I suspect those Zhang surveyed did not get to see the two stars in
person. They were probably shown photos of them instead. As celebrities, the
stars release only those photos that show them at their best. I haven't seen the
report in its entirety, which is nowhere to be found, but I have great doubts
the respondents said they were "ugly". They probably said something like: "These
guys are not as handsome as they're touted to be."
When it comes to beauty, we are way out of the realm of science. There is a
sensitive topic that concerns interracial marriage - some people ask why Western
men like to date and marry "plain" Chinese women.
I feel the question is somewhat offensive. But it is more likely based on
ignorance. I would correct them by saying that some Western men date Chinese
women whom you consider plain. And how many of these women have you seen? You
could be making a sweeping generalization based on only three examples.
Coincidentally, Zhang Jiehai, the Shanghai professor, could be making the
same mistake. His study was based on only eleven samples. How representative
could that be?
However, not everything he says is as idiotic or simplistic as it appears
to be. His analysis of Wong Kar-wai is, in my opinion, spot-on. Wong, the Hong
Kong auteur who wears sunglasses even in a dark room, is cool and mysterious to
most Chinese, but according to Zhang, Western women feel that, with the lack of
eye contact, he may be hiding something. And Wong's chain-smoking habit did not
improve his image, either.
What about all those "plain" Chinese women who marry happily offshore? Some
experts told me that Western people prefer striking features while Chinese tend
to favor delicate ones.
This is such a sensitive topic that, although it warrants bi-cultural
study, it could be difficult to survey. Are you going to approach every
interracial couple with the question: "Do you think your spouse is beautiful or
ugly?" How stupid could that be?
For all the criticism Zhang Jiehai has received, I believe the topic itself
is legitimate. It is his approach and some of his conclusions that are dubious.
After all, he was the one who started the campaign last year to "kick out" the
fictional foreigner who was leading a Don Juan lifestyle in Shanghai. Before
that, Zhang made his name by proclaiming that Zhang Ziyi was "underrated a
hundred times".
In either case, he sounded like someone who would do anything to attract
attention rather than one who conducts scientific research on an academically
superficial but innately interesting subject. Maybe he is an entertainer
unhappily in the disguise of a scholar. |
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发表于 2016-7-9 23:43:29