Race Relations in Shanghai?

I have to say how happy I am that I found this website.  I'm a young African American woman that will be moving to Shanghai in about three weeks for pleasure/business.  Im super excited, but I have my reservations.  I dont know how I will be accepted in China being as to how I am dark skinned.  If anyone can understand where I am coming from and has dealth with a similar situation than I would love to hear from you.  Thanks - Crystal

Crystal, hey I'm moving there too! Maybe we can link up.
In regards to your question, from what I heard you will be looked at, and stared at a bit by those who come from the rural areas, but those who are westernized and in the cities will reagrd you as any other foreigner.
Hope thats a start, we will both find out if that is true.

Peace
Tonie 

@Nubian
You are right.There is a lot of staring in smaller cities compared with the big ones where foreigners are a lot easier to meet so not to worry.Even if u go to the smaller city,don't worry much.With time,you'll get used to it and eventually ignore it.

Hmm....u just have to ignore their stares as, they never stop staring. Believe me, even in some big cities, they still stare, but once u learn to ignore, u'll be fine..Oh, and also expect them calling u several names(that's if u understand Chinese language). Also, expect frequent "Hello" and "Hi'" on the street. I suggest u smile back and keep walking, cuz u just made anoda person's day.....That's all i can comment for now....Peace

When a Chinese from big cities goes to small remote cities/rural areas, he will be stared at too. China is a big country and people dress so differently and even speak different language. In some remote area any outsider will be looked at as a alien from the outer space.

When a Chinese from big cities goes to small remote cities/rural areas, he will be stared at too. China is a big country and people dress so differently and even speak different language. In some remote area any outsider will be looked at as a alien from the outer space.

U don't understand the kinda stare i mean, Baers...,i know that one can be scared at if he/she's from da big city, but there are some kinda stares , that are really different and seen in cities..Just the type a parent would stop, point and tell the kid to look. My parents would smack me and say, keep going, when i even try to stare at people....Anyway.........i'm out

I have seen a photo of Xian in the early 80's, more than 10,000 people surrounded a foreigner just to watch him. At that time, even in Beijing, one of the most popular pass time for youmg people was to watch the foreigners on the street.

@nerfertiti and @nubian
I lived in Shanghai last year for 7 months and I am from Atlanta.  I was in Shanghai for my business.  I also linked up with some other females from the States.  We all had the same experience.  I was stared at every single day and I am a fair skinned, with straight hair.  My co-worker, who was Philipino and darker than me, didn't receive so many stares. 
I was in the MAC store in Singapore and was actually told that they didn't have any colors for my dark skin.  I had never been called dark before, but I do understand that I am dark in relation to the whole world.  Anyway, you can PM if you want any tips or info from an African-American perspective.

So I arrived in Shanghai about two weeks ago and you were all right; the people do stare, alot.  They dont even try to hide the fact that they are looking at you.  I had one woman come up to me so her child could see me.  But I know they are just curious and im beginning to not even notice it.

yeah u will eventually get used to it.  I did, but I don't miss it. 

It's good u're taking it pretty well,that's why it's always nice to have a pre-knowledge about things.. I hope u enjoy ur stay in China

@nefertiti
Ricky at the portman was really good
Sally at Senses - Plaza 166 I didn't go to here, but I know some African American women went to her
Then at any shop on the street can do.  You have to have extreme patience.

the stares are so mortifying!!! been here a little over a week and starting not to notice it as much but you walk on the streets and they stare right at you they pass you by and you can still feel them turning around to stare some more! i have never wanted to be around black people so badly............

the stares are so mortifying!!! been here a little over a week and starting not to notice it as much but you walk on the streets and they stare right at you they pass you by and you can still feel them turning around to stare some more! i have never wanted to be around black people so badly............

everyone says this when they get there.  hopefully in another 10 years blacks will become a race that is as common in china as tea.  where are you coming from abiliscious?

the stares are so mortifying!!! been here a little over a week and starting not to notice it as much but you walk on the streets and they stare right at you they pass you by and you can still feel them turning around to stare some more! i have never wanted to be around black people so badly............

everyone says this when they get there.  hopefully in another 10 years blacks will become a race that is as common in china as tea.  where are you coming from abiliscious?

Hehehe...Nice one. Well, i hope it'll be changed by then.