[*StarDust*]

Excuse me, xiao jie - Are you calling me a prostitute?

Woman splashes water at salesman for using 'uncouth' term

April 28, 2009

IN Singapore, it is not uncommon to hear someone address a female stranger as 'xiao jie' (miss in Mandarin).


UPSET: Miss Wang (above) claims the salesman called her 'xiao jie' at least five times in a mocking tone. PICTURE: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS

That was how one salesman addressed a woman who walked by his shop.

But that was also what got him into hot water with the woman, a Chinese national.

Why?

In China, the term 'xiao jie' is often used to mean 'prostitute'. It is seen as disrespectful to address a woman as 'xiao jie' there. (See report below.)

The incident took place last Tuesday at a handphone shop in People's Park Complex.

Around 4.30pm that day, a 26-year-old Chinese national who gave her name only as Miss Wang was walking past the shop with her friend, Miss Zhou, also 26.

One of the salesmen in the shop, who wanted to be known only as Ah Siang, told The New Paper that he called out 'da jie' (older sister in Mandarin) to the two women.

'I wanted to get their attention so they could take a look at the handphones in the shop,' the 19-year-old Malaysian said.

'One of the women then nudged the other and told her I had just called her 'da jie'. She also asked her friend if she looked very old.'

Thinking that he may have been rude to call the women 'da jie', Ah Siang then addressed them as 'xiao jie'.

But that did not sit well with Miss Wang, who took offence at being called 'xiao jie'.

In a phone interview with The New Paper, Miss Wang, who works as a designer in Singapore, claimed the salesman had called her 'xiao jie' at least five times in a mocking tone.

'He even asked me what that term meant. When I didn't respond, he shouted even louder at me,' she said.

'I didn't want to react initially. We are graduates and such name-calling is uncouth. He should have respected us.'

When Ah Siang and his colleague tried to reason with Miss Wang, she became more upset and splashed the water in a bottle she was holding at the colleague.

Miss Wang, who is from Liaoning in north-east China, admitted she did this.

Ah Siang claimed that Miss Wang also hit his colleague with the mineral water bottle, but the woman denied doing that.

Miss Wang claimed Ah Siang's colleague then spewed vulgarities at her.

Scuffle

A heated argument and a scuffle followed.

Miss Wang claimed one of the salesmen in the shop threw a stapler at them. It hit Miss Zhou in the abdomen. There were four or five employees in the shop at that time.

But Mr Anthony Lau, the shop's manager who was also there at that time, said that the stapler had accidentally hit Miss Zhou during the scuffle.

Miss Zhou sustained a bruise on her abdomen as a result.

The commotion drew a huge crowd of onlookers outside the shop.

After a while, Ah Siang said he and his colleagues stopped arguing with the women.

'We even told them to call the police if they wanted,' he added.

And the women did.

A police spokesman confirmed that the police received a report about the dispute at People's Park Complex at 4.30pm that day.

Miss Zhou, who was slightly injured, was advised on what she could do if she wished to pursue the matter, the spokesman added.

Ah Siang said he had no intention of causing any trouble by calling Miss Wang 'xiao jie'.

'Why would I want to find trouble with her? I just started work two days (before the incident),' he said.

Mr Lau added: 'I've had this shop for seven years. This is the first time something like this has happened.'

'The term 'xiao jie' is just a courteous way of addressing our female customers.'

He and Ah Siang claimed that they did not know that the term could be seen as derogatory to women in China.

But Miss Wang, who has lived in Singapore for three years, said: 'I'm sure many people in Singapore know what 'xiao jie' means in China.'

Source: http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/st...00264,00.html?

[ahsiao]

poor guy

[hayata1972]

Originally Posted by *StarDust*

Excuse me, xiao jie - Are you calling me a prostitute?

Woman splashes water at salesman for using 'uncouth' term

April 28, 2009

IN Singapore, it is not uncommon to hear someone address a female stranger as 'xiao jie' (miss in Mandarin).


UPSET: Miss Wang (above) claims the salesman called her 'xiao jie' at least five times in a mocking tone. PICTURE: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS

That was how one salesman addressed a woman who walked by his shop.

But that was also what got him into hot water with the woman, a Chinese national.

Why?

In China, the term 'xiao jie' is often used to mean 'prostitute'. It is seen as disrespectful to address a woman as 'xiao jie' there. (See report below.)

The incident took place last Tuesday at a handphone shop in People's Park Complex.

Around 4.30pm that day, a 26-year-old Chinese national who gave her name only as Miss Wang was walking past the shop with her friend, Miss Zhou, also 26.

One of the salesmen in the shop, who wanted to be known only as Ah Siang, told The New Paper that he called out 'da jie' (older sister in Mandarin) to the two women.

'I wanted to get their attention so they could take a look at the handphones in the shop,' the 19-year-old Malaysian said.

'One of the women then nudged the other and told her I had just called her 'da jie'. She also asked her friend if she looked very old.'

Thinking that he may have been rude to call the women 'da jie', Ah Siang then addressed them as 'xiao jie'.

But that did not sit well with Miss Wang, who took offence at being called 'xiao jie'.

In a phone interview with The New Paper, Miss Wang, who works as a designer in Singapore, claimed the salesman had called her 'xiao jie' at least five times in a mocking tone.

'He even asked me what that term meant. When I didn't respond, he shouted even louder at me,' she said.

'I didn't want to react initially. We are graduates and such name-calling is uncouth. He should have respected us.'

When Ah Siang and his colleague tried to reason with Miss Wang, she became more upset and splashed the water in a bottle she was holding at the colleague.

Miss Wang, who is from Liaoning in north-east China, admitted she did this.

Ah Siang claimed that Miss Wang also hit his colleague with the mineral water bottle, but the woman denied doing that.

Miss Wang claimed Ah Siang's colleague then spewed vulgarities at her.

Scuffle

A heated argument and a scuffle followed.

Miss Wang claimed one of the salesmen in the shop threw a stapler at them. It hit Miss Zhou in the abdomen. There were four or five employees in the shop at that time.

But Mr Anthony Lau, the shop's manager who was also there at that time, said that the stapler had accidentally hit Miss Zhou during the scuffle.

Miss Zhou sustained a bruise on her abdomen as a result.

The commotion drew a huge crowd of onlookers outside the shop.

After a while, Ah Siang said he and his colleagues stopped arguing with the women.

'We even told them to call the police if they wanted,' he added.

And the women did.

A police spokesman confirmed that the police received a report about the dispute at People's Park Complex at 4.30pm that day.

Miss Zhou, who was slightly injured, was advised on what she could do if she wished to pursue the matter, the spokesman added.

Ah Siang said he had no intention of causing any trouble by calling Miss Wang 'xiao jie'.

'Why would I want to find trouble with her? I just started work two days (before the incident),' he said.

Mr Lau added: 'I've had this shop for seven years. This is the first time something like this has happened.'

'The term 'xiao jie' is just a courteous way of addressing our female customers.'

He and Ah Siang claimed that they did not know that the term could be seen as derogatory to women in China.

But Miss Wang, who has lived in Singapore for three years, said: 'I'm sure many people in Singapore know what 'xiao jie' means in China.'

Source: http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/st...00264,00.html?

One thing i really hate about the china people coming to singapore is their bloody attitude. Most of them aspect us to conform to understand them rather than they understand and accept our culture...

This Northern China Bixxh lived here for 3 yrs already still act like that. I bet you she still cannot speak english.

[*StarDust*]

She over-reacted, say other women from China

By Vivien Chan
April 28, 2009

IS it demeaning when 'xiao jie' is used in Singapore to greet women you don't know?

The New Paper checked with 43 female Chinese nationals who live here.

All said they would not be offended if they were called 'xiao jie' here and all felt that Miss Wang had over-reacted.

Most agreed that the term is commonly used nowadays in Chinese-speaking countries and it is not derogatory.

Ms Zhang Yan Ying, 28, a stall owner who has been here for a year, said: 'I think it depends on the society you're in. In China, people who use 'xiao jie' usually do it in a derogatory tone. It really depends on the tone the person uses. In Singapore, it's used as a form of respect.'

Madam Jane Huang, a home tutor in her 40s who has lived here for 17 years, agreed that it depends on where the woman is called 'xiao jie'.

'In China, I will feel offended only if someone calls me 'xiao jie' in a sleazy place,' she said. 'In large cities like Beijing, being called 'xiao jie' is common. I won't feel offended if a Singaporean calls me 'xiao jie'.'

Singaporeans who have lived in China or go there frequently said they were told not to address women there as 'xiao jie'.

Auditor Catherine Chin, 31, who travels to China for work, said: 'Our China colleagues told us, and so we never call the women 'xiao jie'.

'In a restaurant, we usually address (the waitresses) as 'fu wu yuan' (service staff in Mandarin). In Guangzhou, we call them 'leng lui' or 'leng zai' (pretty girl and handsome boy in Cantonese).'

Said Ms Carol Teo, 29, who worked in Shanghai for eight months in 2002: 'When I was in China, I used 'xiao jie' and nobody reacted to it. I only stopped when my friend told me it was not very nice.

'In China, you can use 'gu niang' (another term for Miss in Mandarin) or 'xiao gu niang' (young miss) instead of 'xiao jie'.'

Another Singaporean who has lived and worked in China for three years but who declined to be named, suggested that one just do away with the address.

Start the conversation with 'ni hao' (hello in Mandarin), she said, followed by what you wish to say.

There are other Mandarin words that foreigners have to watch out for in China.

For instance, you may refer to your domestic helper in Singapore as 'nu yong' (maid). In China, you should call her 'Ah Yee' (aunty) instead.

And to a driver or chauffeur, don't use the direct Mandarin translation of 'shi ji'. Instead, use 'shi fu' (master in Mandarin).

Source: http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/st...00266,00.html?

[Peuan Sanit]

She is over reacting unless she is a "ahem" too! lol

[hayata1972]

Originally Posted by *StarDust*

She over-reacted, say other women from China

By Vivien Chan
April 28, 2009

IS it demeaning when 'xiao jie' is used in Singapore to greet women you don't know?

The New Paper checked with 43 female Chinese nationals who live here.

All said they would not be offended if they were called 'xiao jie' here and all felt that Miss Wang had over-reacted.

Most agreed that the term is commonly used nowadays in Chinese-speaking countries and it is not derogatory.

Ms Zhang Yan Ying, 28, a stall owner who has been here for a year, said: 'I think it depends on the society you're in. In China, people who use 'xiao jie' usually do it in a derogatory tone. It really depends on the tone the person uses. In Singapore, it's used as a form of respect.'

Madam Jane Huang, a home tutor in her 40s who has lived here for 17 years, agreed that it depends on where the woman is called 'xiao jie'.

'In China, I will feel offended only if someone calls me 'xiao jie' in a sleazy place,' she said. 'In large cities like Beijing, being called 'xiao jie' is common. I won't feel offended if a Singaporean calls me 'xiao jie'.'

Singaporeans who have lived in China or go there frequently said they were told not to address women there as 'xiao jie'.

Auditor Catherine Chin, 31, who travels to China for work, said: 'Our China colleagues told us, and so we never call the women 'xiao jie'.

'In a restaurant, we usually address (the waitresses) as 'fu wu yuan' (service staff in Mandarin). In Guangzhou, we call them 'leng lui' or 'leng zai' (pretty girl and handsome boy in Cantonese).'

Said Ms Carol Teo, 29, who worked in Shanghai for eight months in 2002: 'When I was in China, I used 'xiao jie' and nobody reacted to it. I only stopped when my friend told me it was not very nice.

'In China, you can use 'gu niang' (another term for Miss in Mandarin) or 'xiao gu niang' (young miss) instead of 'xiao jie'.'

Another Singaporean who has lived and worked in China for three years but who declined to be named, suggested that one just do away with the address.

Start the conversation with 'ni hao' (hello in Mandarin), she said, followed by what you wish to say.

There are other Mandarin words that foreigners have to watch out for in China.

For instance, you may refer to your domestic helper in Singapore as 'nu yong' (maid). In China, you should call her 'Ah Yee' (aunty) instead.

And to a driver or chauffeur, don't use the direct Mandarin translation of 'shi ji'. Instead, use 'shi fu' (master in Mandarin).

Source: http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/st...00266,00.html?

This is Singapore, not beijing, not chongqing, not shanghai and not guangdong.

This is Singapore, China people here are the guest. They have to learn our culture, learn our language and learn to be like us.

hayata1972 added 1 Minutes and 23 Seconds later...

Originally Posted by Peuan Sanit

She is over reacting unless she is a "ahem" too! lol

Living in 3 yrs as a "Ahem"? I think our home ministry and immigration office is sleeping 24hrs man....

[Lydiawithfaith]

I think must call them " Gu Niang " instead of " xiao jie "
hah..

[hayata1972]

Originally Posted by Lydiawithfaith

I think must call them " Gu Niang " instead of " xiao jie "
hah..

Anyway next time i see sexy china girl, i purposely call "xiaojie" see their reaction for hte kick out of it.

[Emolisher]

Her over-sensitive got her into trouble

[blahblahblah]

Retarded... why are we educated not to call china gals xiao jie in china when they dun conform themselves to our culture when those cina are living here. That's so 1 sided affair. Screw that cina lady, hope they sent her for a reform and adapt to local culture, if not she can jolly well be sent back to where she comes from . Simply hate these kind of black sheeps among cina ppl.

[hayata1972]

Originally Posted by blahblahblah

Retarded... why are we educated not to call china gals xiao jie in china when they dun conform themselves to our culture when those cina are living here. That's so 1 sided affair. Screw that cina lady, hope they sent her for a reform and adapt to local culture, if not she can jolly well be sent back to where she comes from . Simply hate these kind of black sheeps among cina ppl.

Mind you, these black sheep are plenty here. Have you heard china people talking within themselves condeming singapore. Saying singapore people stupid, saying singapore small, saying singapore is nothing compared to china.

Farking pissing me off these "New citizens" and "Foreign talents".

[Peuan Sanit]

Originally Posted by hayata1972

Farking pissing me off these "New citizens" and "Foreign talents".

They think the World of themselves but look down on other people.

They should ask themselve.....If China was that great, why should they be making a living here?!

[DEADevelyn]

wah..so chim!! poor thing

[BlackLegging]

I never like China girls. They talk like bloody deaf and dress like nobody else would dare in the world.

[davincey]

THISH ISH SHINGAPORE!!! *kickz silly lady into pit of death*

Seriously, I didn't know about this myself lol.

[Peuan Sanit]

So next time if we go Geylang and one of these PRC gals approached us and asked "Xian Sheng, Yao Chui Ma?", can we regard this as detorgory to us cos they think that we are sex manaic?!

[vios21]

Like kena sandwich....just call Missy next time.....

[hayata1972]

Originally Posted by Peuan Sanit

They think the World of themselves but look down on other people.

They should ask themselve.....If China was that great, why should they be making a living here?!

Haha, because 1 $S equal to 4.5 RMB, their body is worth 4.5 times more in Singapore.

hayata1972 added 2 Minutes and 55 Seconds later...

Originally Posted by BlackLegging

I never like China girls. They talk like bloody deaf and dress like nobody else would dare in the world.

Yah, but sad to say many boys and man in singapore drool over them...

Young man give their love to them, old man give their CPF and retirement funds to

them...

Fark... Home ministry better restrict their population in SG. Getting really

out of hand...

[shypineapple]

This is absurd. -.-'''
she should just fly back to where she came from.

[babychemistz]

Aint this Singapore..
I think she over reacted.. Cause she should know that she is in foreign country and things are different here.. If she felt hurt, she could have just left the store..