Page:A Pocket Guide to China (1943).pdf/20



THE modern Chinese girl, in her long, closely fitting gown, her bare arms and short hair, is often very pretty. Yet it is well to remember that in China the attitude toward women is different from ours in America. Chinese women in some ways are more free than they are here in America—that is, they do some things which American women don’t yet do. They are in the Army, for instance, and they fight side by side with the guerrillas. But in their relations with men they haven't the same freedom as women have in America.

There are Chinese girls in cabarets and places of amuse­ment who may be used to free and easy ways. But the average Chinese girl will be insulted if you touch her, or will take you more seriously than you probably want to be taken. A mistake in this may cause a lot of trouble.

PERHAPS you will get to know some Chinese sufficiently well as a friend that he will want to invite you to his home. If this happens, you may take it as a great compliment, for Chinese, particularly of the better educated classes, do not easily invite strangers. Usually men meet at tea houses for talk and pleasure. Only intimate friends go to each other's homes. 15