I take the taxi every day and I visit the market or supermarket every other day.
9 times out of 10, I’m SURE to be asked,
“Ni shi Han Guo ren?” (Are you a Korean?)
Now, I look at myself in the mirror and then I look at pretty pictures of Song Hye Kyo, the famous actress in TV dramas like “Autumn in my Heart” and “Hotel”.
Okay…I may have large eyes (at least larger than the average Chinese), a pointy chin, longish hair and a big smile. And if I tried really hard, I could be “cute” – as best as a 30+ old MOTHER can muster!
BUT I have really tanned skin (even darker now under the hot, summer sun), a “healthy” 56 kg body and the quick, long strides of an impatient MOTHER.
There is NO CHANCE in hell I could stand in for Song Hye Kyo!
Yet, I get comments like these from taxi drivers, fish mongers, and military men:
“All you Koreans are very pretty…” (a WOMAN said that to me once)
“We love the way you Koreans speak Chinese. Sounds so cute!” (Especially after incredibly embarrassing moments when I fumble my way through Mandarin)
“You Korean girls are definitely more gentle (wan rou or wen ruan?) than our Chinese girls…”
If my Korean friends are reading this, I must first apologize for this mistaken identity! Kudos though for all these positive impressions of your countrywomen 
My theory is that the local Chinese watch a lot of Korean TV dramas and according to my Korean friends, unlike Malaysian drama, which presents a healthy cast of reality, Korean drama tends to present only their best looking actors and actresses.
To the guy who said this, I told him, “Ni kan tai duo si le!” (You’ve watched too much TV).
Also, local Chinese women tend to appear “rough” and “rude” the minute they open their mouths although they may look as delicate as a sweet peach or water lily.
I believe the Koreans (this fake one here anyway) look “gentle” because they/we can’t speak much Mandarin. While a person speaking bad English comes across as irritating and inelegant, I guess a person speaking bad Mandarin or in a “lao wai” accent looks cute?
When in doubt, I mostly smile or laugh! Obviously, these men missed the chance to catch me in action when I was at “war with words” at the local Chinese preschool.
If they did, I’m sure they’d say, “Ni zhen de shi Chungguoren!” LOL
TIP OF THE DAY: How to charm a mainland Chinese man? Smile and laugh a lot. Oh yeah, and fumble your way with Mandarin!
P/S If Hubby is reading this, I’m sure he’s having a gag-fest now. Me? I’m just over the moon if someone *thinks* I look like Song Hye Kyo 
(even if it’s only the fishmonger LOL)
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
hahahahaa!:lol:
funny! i’m sure you’re at least flattered! i cannot imagine how i would converse if i’m ever there – already my cantonese is so bad, cant imagine attempting mandarin although i understand my inlaw’s mandarin so much better now then before.
yea, my hubby wld gag too if i’m ever in your shoes!
Angeleyes –
Syn – A moment of fun in this sad SAHM’s life. Don’t underestimate yourself. I’ve met Indians and South Americans who can speak Mandarin! You WILL learn if you HAVE to use it to communicate
Ok, our hubbies shouldn’t meet hahaha…
Ai..not all Koreans are like Song Hye Kyo leh…but then if ppl said you are pretty..just shut up and soak up the compliments.
Vien – Ok, oklah! Hahahaha (blush, blush in Song Hye Kyo style)
Korean women takes a lot of pride in their appearance, and they’ll look their best even if it’s just a short trip to the market, so that’s a really nice compliment. I’ve been mistaken a few times as not being Chinese too.
A Mom’s Diary – Yup, that’s true about Korean women. Me? Far from that…the newest, cleanest t-shirt I can find from the pile and jeans, capris or walking shorts! I’m a real GI Jane LOL You too? Should we meet, let me try to seek you out from a group ok? Will see if I can do it hahaha
Aiseh……if only the fishmonger would compliment me. Even my 2yr old son pokes at the layers of *ahem* “prosperity” at my waist and laughs at his poor old mother!
Paik Ling – WHY the fishmonger??? You want discount for your fish ah? LOL Aiyo…your 2 yo very cheeky to laugh at Mummy already eh! Lucas *loves* the floppy belly (rolls eyes)
yeah.. i know wat u mean. I usually get the “You Yipun?” I smile and shake the head, no. “Kolian?” No.. Malaysia. “MALAYSIAAAA??? Skin no dark?” Where they get the idea that Msians generally are tanned? Or are we? I forgot liao !
Hmm…I think it’s because most Malaysian ads overseas tend to feature mostly Malays? Or perhaps it’s the belief that “Malai-si-ya” should only be made up of “Malai-ren”? Probably that’s why “Mei-guo” works so well for the US. A beautiful country can have varieties of beautiful people!