Does it mean something different in Chinese culture?

[Anonymous]

If a Chinese girl refers to you as “such a cute boy”, does that have a different meaning vs what it means in western culture. Reason I ask is that I know Chinese and western culture in general are different.

[SteveSmith1985]

I'm not Chinese. I don't know a whole lot about Chinese culture. I'm still very confident in telling you that no cultural interpretation is required here. She meant it the same way any Western girl would mean it. Whether she meant "cute" as in 'awwww"

or if she meant "cute" as in attractive? That you'll have to figure out from the rest of the context.

Don't let the Chinese thing trip-you-up here. This is pretty damn unambiguous. If she knows English... you're good to interpret this as though any Western girl said this to you.

[Asker]

I know it’s not like I did anything specific she wait kind of randomly

[SteveSmith1985]

So I guess it's the same thing as if any other girl randomly said that. If it was random, then that seems more likely to be "cute" as in attractive. Unless I'm misunderstanding the context.

But if you didn't do or say something cute, then that's the only way to take that.

[OlderAndWiser]

Did this Chinese girl grow up in rural China, metropolitan China, Hong Kong, or in the US?

[Asker]

She said she grew up around Shanghai from what she told me near the city only I think like Wuxi

[OlderAndWiser]

When was she born? The China of the 1960's has totally disappeared and it is not much more Westernized. (My wife was born and raised in the Fujian province.)

[Asker]

Can’t remember but my guess around 1997-1999 around

[Asker]

She was born and raised in china. Came here for college only.

[OlderAndWiser]

I'll ask my wife but I don't think the comment has any special significance.

[Asker]

So it’s the same as western culture. Probably means you are attractive in looks/personality. Could mean it in a friendly way or maybe interested way. But basically same as if someone in the states said it?

[OlderAndWiser]

I think so.