Sexism
No, there isn't much sexism at all in China. But it could be something a visitor to China may wonder about. Hence, we include this section. Basically, Chinese women have a very strong mind! While the world sees protests by women for the annual Women's Day, not so in China. Why? They don't need to. The Chinese have a great business brain, and women are no exception. Why waste time protesting in the street when they could be earning more money through business ventures? Now that's impressive! So you can maybe see now how sexism is not a big issue in China. But, it does exist everywhere in the world in some form, presumably. Generally, there is equality and women have ambition and drive too.
Often, women in China don’t drink much alcohol as it’s seen as a man's thing to do. But here there is a joke of sorts. It is said that, a Southern woman with a Northern Man could create conflict. Both headstrong. Whereas, a Northern Woman with a Southern Man is optimum as he is less likely to act all macho and she is more submissive (within reason). Just a side-joke but I have met plenty of Chinese that do relate to this analogy.
Men will show respect to a foreign woman through conversation and open friendliness but it is to an accompanying male that they prefer to communicate by offering cigarettes and ‘gam-bays’ (downing the drinks). Women are sometimes offered these things but it's not expected they want to.
For Chinese men, the company of a foreign lady is more than welcome however, as the typical Chinese individual is always keen to learn about different customs and habits, or simply wants to get to know you. But you'll find Chinese men are very shy, almost intimidated, to talk to foreign women. So, you shouldn't have any issues or harassment whatsoever. If you do, the local police will always help.
The only area of uncomfort for foreign women in China is the daily stares and even sometimes covert photographing of pretty foreign girls, whether on the street, on the metro/subway or in a shop. This curiosity can be taxing and it certainly is an invasion of privacy but very difficult to combat. In some cases, in more rural places people have been known to touch a girl's blonde hair, if in close proximity. It is not meant as harassment at all. Just a polite walk away from the person is sufficient.
