China - Shorts in China

I'm sort of embarrassed to post this question, but my husband is driving me crazy...so here goes.

We are taking our first trip to China later this month and my husband is stressing over whether he will feel comfortable wearing shorts during the day in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing.
We live in Manhattan and it's perfectly fine to wear shorts here. He is concerned that there are cultural differences that will make his leg-displaying attire offensive or awkward.
We aren't talking about gym shorts or cut-offs (gross) here, but rather J. Crew or Banana Republic shorts.

Please humor me and let me know your thoughts.

.

Please humor me and let me know your thoughts.

Shorts, no problem.

Heck, do like the locals, if it gets too hot...

Pull Up Your Shirt (http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/bellybelly).

Shorts is fine, just know everyone will know you are a foreigner. If you already look like one it doesn't matter.

Few Hong Kong men wear shorts in the city, but nobody cares if you do unless in high-end restaurants.

Thank you all so much!
My husband is very relieved!

Shorts, no problem.

Heck, do like the locals, if it gets too hot...

Pull Up Your Shirt (http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/bellybelly).

^

Some restaurants in hotels in Shanghai / Beijing do require long pants, so during daytime no problem. Flip-flops also fine but I'd prefer closed shoes in China as you never know what you run into (especially in toilets)

Shorts are fine, I would suggest you pack (and use) insect repellent wipes, or the Deep Woods OFF spray pump if you're checking a bag. As sl0001 said, I would suggest closed toe shoes.

^

Some restaurants in hotels in Shanghai / Beijing do require long pants, so during daytime no problem. Flip-flops also fine but I'd prefer closed shoes in China as you never know what you run into (especially in toilets)

Also melanoptysis on the streets from breathing fly ash. Yuk!

You can see a lot chinese girls with shorts, too. It's not just a foreigner thing. But if you want to visit temples you should wear long trousers.

^

Some restaurants in hotels in Shanghai / Beijing do require long pants, so during daytime no problem. Flip-flops also fine but I'd prefer closed shoes in China as you never know what you run into (especially in toilets)

You mean step into?

Depending on his age and where in China he is going he could even get away with a slit in the back of the shorts and no underwear.

The only ones in for a culture shock are you not the Chinese.

LOL.

Depending on his age and where in China he is going he could even get away with a slit in the back of the shorts and no underwear.

The only ones in for a culture shock are you not the Chinese.

LOL.

Too funny. You just made me splurt out my lunch.

I don't think anyone who has never been to China will understand this joke until they see it for themselves. It's practically everywhere in China, even in Beijing. It's what all the cool kids are doing nowadays.

I wonder if some temples might require long pants. They do elsewhere in Asia.

As an adult man, you cannot expect to be taken seriously while wearing shorts in China. For ladies, it should be fine during the warmer months.

As an adult man, you cannot expect to be taken seriously while wearing shorts in China.
How serious do you need to be taken as a tourist? :rolleyes: I never wear shorts but if a tourist wants to wear shorts around in a hot city, what's wrong with that? He can always go back to the hotel to change if they want to go do some fine dining or something.

You mean step into?

:D

As an adult man, you cannot expect to be taken seriously while wearing shorts in China. .

But you can expect to be taken...seriously.

American Tourists (http://www.gonzotourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/fat-english-tourists.jpg)

But you can expect to be taken...seriously.

American Tourists (http://www.gonzotourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/fat-english-tourists.jpg)
How the hell did you find a picture of us??

I don't think he cares about impressing anyone - he just doesn't want to be offensive.
And he doesn't plan to spend his vacation in shorts. I'm pretty sure that after living in Manhattan for 40 years he understands that some clothing is appropriate for walking around and other clothing is better for dining.

As an adult man, you cannot expect to be taken seriously while wearing shorts in China. For ladies, it should be fine during the warmer months.

My wife and I are in Xian right now and were in Beijng last week. The Chinese men do not wear shorts. They think it's childish. That said, I am wearing them, but you'll get stares.

Women do wear shorts in China but ALWAYS with pantyhose. You will not see women with bare feet or bare legs, regardless of temperature.

Women do wear shorts in China but ALWAYS with pantyhose. You will not see women with bare feet or bare legs, regardless of temperature.

I'm at a loss for words, but I would at least like to strike down the "ALWAYS" qualifier for the time being.

But you can expect to be taken...seriously.

American Tourists (http://www.gonzotourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/fat-english-tourists.jpg)Here is the URL for that photograph, with the interesting part highlighted by me:http://www.gonzotourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/fat-english-tourists.jpg

You will not see women with bare feet or bare legs, regardless of temperature.
:D

The same in Japan (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan/1340797-nobody-japan-wears-shorts.html).

I'm at a loss for words, but I would at least like to strike down the "ALWAYS" qualifier for the time being.

Maybe years ago the hose were more popular to shield the sun, but
not now.

Have noticed that most have a slight bow in the tibia. Not sure if this is
from diet or genes, but appears to be quite common.

Here is the URL for that photograph, with the interesting part highlighted by me:http://www.gonzotourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/fat-english-tourists.jpg

created by American sculptor:

Duane Hanson
Tourists II1988
fibreglass and mixed media, with accessories
life size

I'm at a loss for words, but I would at least like to strike down the "ALWAYS" qualifier for the time being.

I didn't notice at first but my wife did. We had dinner with a dutch couple in Pingyao and the guy also hadn't noticed but his wife also said she had noticed the pantyhose. Ask the women. ;) They're more prone to pickup on that kind of thing. Also, I haven't seen women with painted toenails. You'll see finger nails done, but my wife has had a few comments on the toenails.

OK, so I'm sure it's not ALWAYS, but it seems to more more the norm than not for sure. Even women wearing long pants and open shoes seem to wear hose or something on their feet. Is that a sun prevention thing?

Even women wearing long pants and open shoes seem to wear hose or something on their feet. Is that a sun prevention thing?

Chinese ladies will go to quite extremes to prevent tanning as that is equalled to being of poor farming origin.

Ask the women. ;)
Yes. :)

most of the women wear panty socks even when wearing a short skirt/dress :cool:

so if you want to fit in as a man ...don't wear shorts, wear long pants with a fake belt tuck your tshirt in the pants and hold a Man-bag between your armpits!

Chinese ladies will go to quite extremes to prevent tanning as that is equalled to being of poor farming origin.

That's true.
I remember when these "solar visors" became popular.

http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2004/07/20/chinas-solar-visor-craze

most of the women wear panty socks even when wearing a short skirt/dress :cool:

so if you want to fit in as a man ...don't wear shorts, wear long pants with a fake belt tuck your tshirt in the pants and hold a Man-bag between your armpits!

Hose are items worn on the legs and feet.
Hosiery.

Panty socks?

Panty socks?
+1 :confused:

I've googled (https://www.google.com/search?q=panty+socks) but none the wiser...

I didn't notice at first but my wife did. We had dinner with a dutch couple in Pingyao and the guy also hadn't noticed but his wife also said she had noticed the pantyhose. Ask the women.

Well, I must admit that I've yet to make it to Pingyao (although your thread intrigues me), but am pretty to speed on fashion along the trails I walk, and let's just say that a considerable portion of the youngish urban female population in first tier cities isn't shy about showing off (non synthetic) skin.

Late to this thread but had to chime in. IMO, any male over the age of 12 and not out running/jogging--or in a resort area like Sanya--looks ridiculous wearing shorts in China (or anywhere else). Of course you will get stares. And if you were sightseeing in the city with me, and heading out in shorts, I'd pretend not to know you. :p

This also goes for grown women, Chinese or otherwise. But at least women tend not to have legs that make them look like Planet of the Apes casting extras.

My experience is that if you obviously look like a foreigner by mannerism - even if you're an ethnic Chinese - the locals don't care if you're wearing shorts. They judge you and interact with you differently anyway.

It's surprisingly easy to detect whether someone isn't a local. The Chinese are very fine tuned at it.

It's surprisingly easy to detect whether someone isn't a local. The Chinese are very fine tuned at it.

Yep, the taxi touts at major airports and train stations can spot you from a mile away regardless of skin colour. I carry a "PRC uniform" in my luggage for when I want to attempt to blend in while in China. :D

Wanted to add, just to clear up confusion above:

"Panty socks" is Chinglish shorthand for "panty hose socks" which are more commonly known as "knee highs" in Western hosiery terms. Regardless of what you call them, they look totally twinky when worn with shorts by females of any age.

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Wanted to add, just to clear up confusion above:

"Panty socks" is Chinglish shorthand for "panty hose socks" which are more commonly known as "knee highs" in Western hosiery terms. Regardless of what you call them, they look totally twinky when worn with shorts by females of any age.

Absultely adds enterataining values to any visitors, the twinkiness -;)

Wanted to add, just to clear up confusion above:

"Panty socks" is Chinglish shorthand for "panty hose socks" which are more commonly known as "knee highs" in Western hosiery terms. Regardless of what you call them, they look totally twinky when worn with shorts by females of any age.

There is also the ankle-high sockette version - egregious as it is under not long enough pants, but totally cringeworthy when paired with skirts or shorts because unlike knee-highs, the sockettes are ALWAYS wrinkly as there's no real way to anchor and main tension.

Chinese ladies will go to quite extremes to prevent tanning as that is equalled to being of poor farming origin.

+1, I've seen a many odd sun protection clothing worm by women in China...

+1, I've seen a many odd sun protection clothing worm by women in China...

Unnecessary in the "capital"; the smog layer provides more than enough protection, even for my fair skin.

Well, I'm finishing my three weeks in China on Thursday, and no problem with the shorts. Many tourists and locals alike in HK, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chongqing, and Beijing wear shorts. What a wonderful trip we've had!

Dominic was caught wearing shorts on the CCTV show Crossover very recently. It was brought up and Dominic defended himself as being practical.

I've seen shorts in large Chinese cities, not just Beijing and Shanghai. However, when Chinese women wear shorts, they tend not to be the extreme short-short variety. Pedal pushers or cropped pants are more common. I've never noticed pantyhose or knee highs with shorts. Many seemingly Chinese people wore shorts to Shanghai Expo.

I've seen shorts in large Chinese cities, not just Beijing and Shanghai. However, when Chinese women wear shorts, they tend not to be the extreme short-short variety. Pedal pushers or cropped pants are more common. I've never noticed pantyhose or knee highs with shorts. Many seemingly Chinese people wore shorts to Shanghai Expo.

Sure, not so much in the workplace... but, on any given Sunday.

Women do wear shorts in China but ALWAYS with pantyhose. You will not see women with bare feet or bare legs, regardless of temperature.
This past year our daughter shared her college apartment with a Chinese Fulbright scholar (29) here in Florida for a year.

When we first met the young woman she wore pantyhose with her knee length shorts--in Florida, in August. She avoided the beach, always wore 50 spf sunscreen even walking between classrooms, and carried an umbrella as protection.

By the time she left in June she no longer wore pantyhose, she had a tan, and she was spending her free time at the beach.

_____________

We were in Hong Kong in January--cold and rainy--and we saw construction workers--hard hats, canvas jackets, jeans--on site. They were wearing flip-flops on thier feet!

As an adult man, you cannot expect to be taken seriously while wearing shorts in China. For ladies, it should be fine during the warmer months.

I just returned from a trip to Beijing and Hong Kong and wore shots every day. There was no issue. On only 1 or 2 nights when going out did I wear jeans. For those that say everyone wears long pants, remember that the climate in Beijing isn't that hot in the summer (and the smog keeps you out of the direct sun). And Beijing can be fairly cold in the winter, so wearing long pants isn't really that big of a deal most of the year anyway.

However, Hong Kong is tropical and in the summer it is sweltering. Unless you have been there for at least a month and are accustomed to it, you would be crazy to wear long pants if you are going to be outside any length of time. Yeah, the locals all wear long pants, but it is because they are coming and going to work - not to tourist spots.

Besides, if you look at the photos of men with ..... out - most taken at tourist attractions, about half of them are wearing shots.

For those that say everyone wears long pants, remember that the climate in Beijing isn't that hot in the summer

say what? Maybe it's not hot compared to a red hot poker, but there is no way anyone can convince me Beijing is not hot in the summer.

say what? Maybe it's not hot compared to a red hot poker, but there is no way anyone can convince me Beijing is not hot in the summer.

Until Saturday, I wasn't convinced that it was actually summer (in Beijing, Shanghai, or Hong Kong), but then the heat swept into town, and it is sweltering by anyone's standards... relatively good air quality, though.

Until Saturday, I wasn't convinced that it was actually summer (in Beijing, Shanghai, or Hong Kong), but then the heat swept into town, and it is sweltering by anyone's standards... relatively good air quality, though.

I only got back a few days ago from SIN, where it may be less hot but far more humid and thus a different kind of discomfort. At least in SG, airconditioning and cold beverages are de riguer. I dread the now daily fight with Beijing taxi drivers to turn on the damn 空调. Just had a driver who refused to turn on the a/c, complaining that she'd already turned it on all day and that I could just open the window. Then tried to drop me off outside my apt front gate. I made her drive all the way in knowing that the ride falls just short of the 2rmb surcharge. I hate how some drivers bring out the petty side of me.

As for the air quality, a short trip out of China reminds me just how low the standards are for 'good' air in Beijing.... :(

say what? Maybe it's not hot compared to a red hot poker, but there is no way anyone can convince me Beijing is not hot in the summer.

The majority of the country is a steam bath June July August.:eek:

Depending on his age and where in China he is going he could even get away with a slit in the back of the shorts and no underwear.

The only ones in for a culture shock are you not the Chinese.

LOL.

Congrats Shimon to making FT's Talkmail. Good promo for the China forum too. ^

Thanks

:)

http://www.flyertalk.com/talkmail/preview_html.php?issue_key=373&hide_submit=true&display_date=June%2030,%202012#story3

I'll add my voice to the chorus here - I'm just back from 2 weeks in China and I didn't see any male locals anywhere wearing shorts. A few women were wearing shorter pants but they were quite tasteful and not shorts in the traditional, western sense.

It was pretty toasty in parts of China; BJ for example hit +35C. And everyone was wearing long pants. Except of course for the kids wearing shorts with the slit in the back. :p