"They Just Stare" ： Foreigner's Awkward Moment Sparks Debate

Source: OT-Team(G), ABC

According to a report by "ABC Network," Sandra, a young Spanish woman who began solo traveling in China a month ago, has been sharing her unique experiences on social media. Recently, a video she posted titled "Observations on Chinese Tourism" went viral, garnering thousands of likes.

"In China, you might feel a bit out of place at times," Sandra admitted in the video, which has already amassed over 53,200 views. "To them, I might as well disappear tomorrow." Walking down the street while sipping a drink, she explained, "China doesn't really need foreign tourists because the country's population is so large... I'm simply irrelevant here, to put it bluntly."

Sandra also pointed out that most locals don't speak English. She speculated that the prevailing attitude might be, "You're in my country—figure things out on your own." After a month of traveling, she acknowledged that communication was a significant challenge. To bridge the gap, she often relied on translation apps, showing her phone screen to locals, who would respond in the same way.

This experience left Sandra somewhat frustrated. "It feels like many people have a narrow worldview and aren't very aware of the outside," she remarked. She expressed regret that she couldn't gain deeper insights into Chinese culture due to the language barrier. "It's really hard to have a proper conversation when no one speaks English," she added.

While Sandra noted that she did meet some friendly individuals, she described the majority as "reserved and unwilling to engage."

"They don't initiate conversation—they just stare," she emphasized in the video. She described walking down a busy street without another Westerner in sight, with passersby continuously watching her. Sandra admitted, "You feel like you're being monitored," though she clarified that she didn't mean it as a criticism. "After all, it's their country," she said, "but some situations do make you feel uncomfortable."

Despite these challenges, Sandra made an effort to stay positive. She often agreed to take photos with locals who approached her. Still, she highlighted that the inability to engage in meaningful conversations remained the biggest disappointment of her trip.

In conclusion, Sandra reflected, "To Chinese people, foreign tourists like us are pretty insignificant—like ants. But that said, China is a land of wonders. You really have to see it for yourself to understand."

Her video sparked lively discussions online, with one comment from a user named Cristian receiving widespread support: "This is the advantage of not relying on tourism—those who adapt can stay; those who don't can leave. There's no need to bend over backward for anyone."

Other netizens echoed this sentiment, adding, "That's just how it is. When you visit someone else's country, it's on you to learn their language and respect their customs."