Bu leng! (Not cold)
In the past few weeks we've had something of a cold snap for Shenzhen. During the day we had windy low '60s, which was certainly cool, but by no means arctic chilly. This week has warmed back up again into the mid-70s.
I had advance warning from my friend Katie about not keeping confinement and the constant grief I would receive for being out of the house already. I was braced for it. However, I wasn't ready to be told constantly that I was underdressing my baby for such cold, cold weather.
On a typical day this is what I would have Brigid wearing. In the house, a fleece or velour sleep and play or romper. When it was time to go to the grocery store or Starbucks, I would zip her in this polar fleece. To my American eye, both look incredibly warm and cozy.
To the Chinese eye, it does not. I have answered the door to my apartment with Brigid wearing the romper above or a similar one, only to have the Chinese woman on the other side gasp, and before even saying ni hao asking me if the baby isn't cold. I've been out in the garden, at the mall, at Dapeng with my parents, and, without fail, women have come up to me and even yelled at me about what the baby was wearing and something about my not being aware of the cold weather. People have touched her hands, and said to each other in amazement that her hands were warm.
On days like we've had, so cold in the 60s, this is the kind of thing Chinese children in Shenzhen wear. Layers. Lots and lots of layers.
I counted seven shirts and pull-over sweaters on a baby getting her diaper changed in the Jusco baby-care room last week. And those were the layers she was wearing before the vests and button-up sweaters and coats. She was also wearing at least three pairs of pants. I have enough trouble wiggling a baby into a new undershirt and sleep and play in the morning; seven successive shirts must be a nightmare.
From what I can gather, Brigid's lack of visible layers means she must be underdressed. When I have been shopping for baby clothes in little discount shops here, frequently the bins full of "fall off the truck" western brands are barely touched. I've bought fleece and velour Carter's, Little Me, and Vitamins for only a few dollars a piece. Of course, the selection isn't as extensive as Target, but I've been able to pick up a few things (but, still, no cheap onesies, so thanks, Grandma C). So in a way, I'm lucky that most Chinese mothers and grandmothers don't look at polar fleece and think about how warm and snuggly the baby will be in it. Well, when I am in a store. Once I get out of the store.....that's another story.
I had advance warning from my friend Katie about not keeping confinement and the constant grief I would receive for being out of the house already. I was braced for it. However, I wasn't ready to be told constantly that I was underdressing my baby for such cold, cold weather.
On a typical day this is what I would have Brigid wearing. In the house, a fleece or velour sleep and play or romper. When it was time to go to the grocery store or Starbucks, I would zip her in this polar fleece. To my American eye, both look incredibly warm and cozy.
To the Chinese eye, it does not. I have answered the door to my apartment with Brigid wearing the romper above or a similar one, only to have the Chinese woman on the other side gasp, and before even saying ni hao asking me if the baby isn't cold. I've been out in the garden, at the mall, at Dapeng with my parents, and, without fail, women have come up to me and even yelled at me about what the baby was wearing and something about my not being aware of the cold weather. People have touched her hands, and said to each other in amazement that her hands were warm.
On days like we've had, so cold in the 60s, this is the kind of thing Chinese children in Shenzhen wear. Layers. Lots and lots of layers.
I counted seven shirts and pull-over sweaters on a baby getting her diaper changed in the Jusco baby-care room last week. And those were the layers she was wearing before the vests and button-up sweaters and coats. She was also wearing at least three pairs of pants. I have enough trouble wiggling a baby into a new undershirt and sleep and play in the morning; seven successive shirts must be a nightmare.
From what I can gather, Brigid's lack of visible layers means she must be underdressed. When I have been shopping for baby clothes in little discount shops here, frequently the bins full of "fall off the truck" western brands are barely touched. I've bought fleece and velour Carter's, Little Me, and Vitamins for only a few dollars a piece. Of course, the selection isn't as extensive as Target, but I've been able to pick up a few things (but, still, no cheap onesies, so thanks, Grandma C). So in a way, I'm lucky that most Chinese mothers and grandmothers don't look at polar fleece and think about how warm and snuggly the baby will be in it. Well, when I am in a store. Once I get out of the store.....that's another story.
Comments