‘Becoming Chinese’: foreigners adopt habits of drinking warm water, practising qigong
Trend signals shift from viewing Chinese culture from a distance to actively engaging and recognising it, according to Chinese state media
Many overseas internet users have recently embraced a new trend of “Becoming Chinese” by incorporating elements of everyday Chinese life into their routines.
These lifestyle changes predominantly involve common self-care practices in Chinese culture, such as drinking warm water instead of cold, wearing slippers indoors rather than walking barefoot, consuming cooked vegetables instead of raw greens in salads, and practising baduanjin qigong, a slow rhythmic exercise popular among the elderly, as highlighted in numerous viral videos.
The trend was initiated by TikTokker Sherry (@sherryxiiruii), a Chinese-American who frequently shares her cultural insights online.
In a video released at the beginning of January, Sherry stated with mock solemnity: “Tomorrow, you’re turning Chinese. I know it sounds intimidating, but resisting it now is pointless.”
She discusses various traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-based wellness habits for winter, including the avoidance of cold food and the preference for house slippers.
Her playful mix of humour and intrigue resonated with viewers, quickly garnering 30 million likes.