You probably wonder, what does this have to do with anything? Well being Chinese and living in America, I have always struggled with meeting beauty standards of not only Americans, but of Asians also. It's pretty hard considering some of our ideals of beauty are completely opposite one another.
From what I have noticed, Asians tend to prefer being petite, super pale, and skinny. In the Chinese cultural, they prefer their women to be smaller and less muscular so that they look delicate and can have a male take care of them. Being white comes from the fact that it makes you look rich. The Chinese believe that the darker you are, the poorer you are. (which is not true!) Basically if you are tan, it means you spend a lot of time outdoors working in the fields.
Asian's Ideal Of Beauty = SNSD
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In America, it is almost the complete opposite! In the U.S. , the ideal of beauty is tall (5"7 or taller), tan, and skinny with curves. Americans spend hours tanning on the beach or in tanning booths to be darker. We also always talk about having a bigger chest or a bigger butt to be more attractive.
American's Ideal Of Beauty = Kim Kardashian
Now let me say that I am neither the perfect ideal beauty of American's or Asian's. It sucks sometimes since I get comments from my family asking "why are you so dark," or "why is your butt so big?"
On the opposite hand, I get comments from my friends saying "your so thin, eat more," or "you need to come tanning with me at the beach!"
HUH?? These comments all contradict one another.. How am I suppose to please everyone?
Now after quite a while, I have slowly learned to just be myself and ignore all comments like those. Trust me, it can be hard sometimes, but it's so much better not to be affected by others.
It's impossible to please everyone, so you should just stick to being yourself!
When one is comfortable in their own skin and they feel beautiful, they ARE beautiful!
Have you ever been affected by these ideals of beauty?
How do you keep yourself feeling confident when others are telling you otherwise?
I'd think people would be lying to say they're not affected by the ideals of beauty. I feel like every culture has different meanings of what beauty should be. Interesting topic. It's awesome to hear that you're self accepting. I agree, pleasing yourself is most important!
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I agree! every culture does most likely have different meanings of beauty. It sucks though when you are affected by 2 different ideals at once cause your like which one do I believe?
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I agree with what you are saying and that last quote is really nice!! It's good to hear people being open about the pressures they face
ReplyDeleteThanks!!
DeleteHey Mindy! I'm so glad you were able to make a post about this subject because like you, I am also of Asian descent (vietnamese). I am also conflicted at times being both Asian and American, but as I matured I realized that there is no definition of beauty, it is in the eye of the beholder. As long as you are confident and comfortable with yourself, then you are beautiful. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise.
ReplyDelete-Lisa
The Lovely Memoir
I agree with you. I always hate these beauty standards and it's worse when they conflict with each other. As I got older too, I realized that being yourself if the best thing to do!!
DeleteThis is so true! I'm Chinese as well and in the past was really conflicted about my appearance. But now I'm just trying to embrace it :)
ReplyDeleteThat is good! I was the same way too (and I still struggle with it)
DeleteThe advice at the end is so true
ReplyDeleteyup!! =)
DeleteI love this post! It's exactly what I'd just been thinking. So true.
ReplyDeletehttp://meine-schadenfreude.blogspot.co.nz/
Thank you!!
DeleteGreat post! And I love SNSD. :) Are you korean by any chance?
ReplyDeleteI'm following you back now. x
SNSD is the best! lol no, i listen to Korean music, but I'm not korean. =)
Deletei love snsd!
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Me too!!
DeleteI will check out your blog!
Great post! SNSD make me feel terrible about my body lol too skinny!
ReplyDeleteYES!! They are so tiny!! but it's also how they make money so...
DeleteSo true and I'm glad you're self accepting. It took me a while to do the same and I guess I'm still partially working on it but I'm much more comfortable with myself now. Thanks for following me! Great start on your blog, keep up the good work and I look forward to your future posts :D Now following you on gfc & bloglovin hehe <3
ReplyDeleteThank you! I know, I still work on being comfortable with myself sometimes too! (it's so hard being surrounded with my family though since they make comments all the time!)
DeleteI look forward to your post too!
Nice quote, great post
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Deletethanks for your comment hun :) following you back!
ReplyDeleteAnd girl, you are gorgeous no matter what beauty standards are like today, keep being confident :) xox
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Thank you!! Your really pretty too!!
DeleteGreat post about the Chinese-American beauty ideal contradiction. I am Chinese as well, so this really hits home. My mom always tells me I'm too dark but my friends are jealous that I'm tan year round haha. Great inspirational post!
ReplyDeleteThank you !
DeleteI totally understand!! I 'm always confused about what I should look like!
You're so right! I like this post & and your blog! Followed you on bloglovin, maybe follow me back?
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DeleteThanks for your comment!!
i think snsd is tall enough... soo is the tallest and her long leg impress many people both Asians and american:) everyone is beautiful i think,no need what etnic they come
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I agree with the fact that everyone is beautiful!!
DeleteI feel like SNSD isn't that tall. I know one girl in the band is my height (5"3), but others are like 5"7. It might be photoshop haha!
This post is so interesting. I totally agree with everything you said, Im Chinese and i was born and raised in Great Britain. And i go through all the things that you've mentioned, except tanning on the beach cause British weather isn't exactly nice lol.
ReplyDeleteIve followed your blog, maybe you can check out mine and follow if you can?
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Thanks :) x
haha! British weather is much different from the U.S!
DeleteIs G.B. similar to America?
thanks!! I'll check out your blog!
I agree with you! Just be yourself.. a lot has called me ugly, crazy, whatever.. but all I think is that someday, the world will love me for who I am and when I become famous, you will all kneel down upon me!! *devil laugh* :D
ReplyDeleteCheers~!
- Justin -
The World According To Me
haha! Your comment is so cute!
DeleteMaybe it will happen one day! You never know lol.
I just looked at your blog and you are not ugly at all! You have a really good sense of style!
Good luck with your blog!
My goodness I can totally relate to this post! I love getting my tan on, but others think I'm 'too dark' Why oh why are so many Asians so obsessed with light skin?! Being an American Pakistani is tough, but I realized that in the end, I just need to be happy with myself :)
ReplyDeleteI think asians thing being tan means you work in the sun a lot/ are a farmer.
DeleteI can understand where you are coming from!! I feel the pressures all the time, but in the end, being yourself is the best!
This is really interesting to me. I like how you juxtaposed both the U.S. and Chinese ideals of beauty here--it is impressive that you have been able to navigate this difficult space.
ReplyDelete-Rachel
www.thecuratorial.com
aww thank you! It really is hard because I want to fit both standards at the same time .
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