As part of my personal evolution as a travel blogger, this is an early post from Upgrd.com where I joined Matthew and other talented writers (including my husband) which would then merge with Travel Codex, another Boarding Area blog. Finally, we found our home here at Live and Let’s Fly with Matthew. As this is an early post, references have not been updated and may no longer remain accurate. Please enjoy this time capsule blog post.
Did you know my child is a celebrity in Asia? I didn’t either…but she is.
There seems to be this wonderful fascination people have with Lucy when we travel around Asia. We first noticed it in Macau on Christmas Eve. We were in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt Macau and strangers approached Lucy (sitting quietly in her stroller) and began taking photos and selfies with her. I was a little apprehensive at first of their intent and a little wary, especially since no one seemed the slightest bit inclined to ask my permission first. The photos didn’t stop there. We encountered a few more situations in Hong Kong, but when we landed in Thailand, the iPhone paparazzi was in full effect.
It’s Becoming a Distraction
We sort of laughed off the first few times, shrugged and played along. Then we found that this could get seriously annoying at times. When we were in Thailand we took a boat tour that only allowed 30 minutes on each island. Hopping from stop to stop, our time was consumed by the line of people who are trying to take photos while holding our baby. It is the sweetest compliment and yet something very foreign to us. Before we were parents, we were just two westerners traveling the world with whom no one wanted their photo taken.
On our recent trip to Beijing, with a now walking, talking, big personality baby, the picture obsession returned. Men and women of all ages scooped Lucy up, handed us their camera and asked for a photo! I use the word “ask” very loosely as not everyone would request our permission first.
Lucy was a trooper.
As she is now older than when we were in Thailand she is more aware of her surroundings and of where her parents are at all times. She also has some wariness when it comes to men, and though she would turn to stone, she never freaked-out or cried. A strange man would pick her up (always within my reach) and smile for a photo with her. She’s a natural and far more calm than her parents.
I can’t quite figure out what the fascination is with taking pictures of my beautiful baby or how I should feel about it. Fear of germs also crosses my mind. I often wonder where the pictures end up and who sees them. Should I worry and not allow the photos to happen? My suspicion is that it’s probably okay but I have my concerns. I don’t want to seem cold or rude as a foreigner in their country. I have allowed it to happen in these instances already, but I wonder if going forward I should continue to be so relaxed about it.
Am I just being a paranoid parent or should I have legitimate concerns about strangers taking photos of my baby?
-XOXO Carly
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I can’t speak directly to Southeast Asia or China, but in India, it’s simply a matter of a lot of people aren’t used to seeing white people (sorry to be crass, but I can’t think of another way to say it). Too many Indians, especially outside of large cities, automatically assume that any Westerner is rich and therefore must be famous, so they want to have their photos taken with them. I’m sure it’s creepy and gets annoying, but the people generally mean no harm. In fact, it’s really meant as more of a compliment; they see Lucy as something special.
I should warn you, since you said you and Kyle are planning a trip to India, be prepared for the same thing you experienced in Asia, except in overdrive. Not only will random people want to have their pictures taken with Lucy, you’ll be drawing a lot of attention, too. Prepare for a LOT of extended stares. You’ll also have people’s kids come up to you and ask for photos with you and Kyle. Again, 99.9% of the time, no harm is meant by any of it. The three of you are celebrities and they’re just excited to see you! If it freaks you out too much, though, I recommend hiring a tour guide through a travel agent to take you around wherever you’re planning to go. They’re cheap, usually double as your driver, and help with shooing the amateur paparazzi away 🙂
I traveled with my friends as they were adopting a baby girl in China about 12 yrs ago. They also had 2 boys about 6 & 8. The younger boy was blonde hair & blue eyes the locals wanted their kids to have a picture taken with him. We noticed it more in Chongqing which isn’t a tourist area like Beijing. I agree, they don’t see many little Caucasians kids running around.
@meanmeosh Thanks for the insight. It makes me feel more comfortable that it’s innocent curiosity. We will be coming to you with more questions prior to Delhi!
@Barry – It wasn’t the worst thing in the world but it could be inconvenient at times. Though in the same vein, perhaps their day was a little brighter so that’s an easy way to help. Thanks for reading the blog!
My friend and I are black and we experience the same thing in China. I was a little upset for the first few hours in China because I wasnt expecting it (never had this happen in Hong Kong). If you just go with it, its fine. Unfortunately we had to cut short our stroll on the Bund because people kept stopping us to take photos. I have been to China 4 times now and just when I think I am used to it, I will see someone photographing me paparazzi style and I am stunned all over again. No one has ever been mean so I try to accommodate their desire to take a picture with me. Oh, just a tip for any white or black people who experience this–try some silly poses. That really got the crowd going!
@Smitty06 Thanks for reading the blog! Interesting perspective. Do you think it is just a “Western” thing?
I love the idea of posing to make it more fun for both of us… but especially me. I am sure we will be back in the Far East soon and I look forward to trying this method! I’ll let you know how it goes. 🙂
Our son had white blonde hair bright blue eyes when he was younger and the first time an Asian woman picked him up and walked away with him, my husband freaked out. (The only reason I only 75% freaked out is because we were in a restaurant and I figured she couldn’t get too far.) After that, I would shake my head no or put my hand out to block contact.
Touching any stranger, let alone someone else’s child, is so far outside of my comfort zone, I didn’t like it and never got used to it.
@Heather – I think if someone picked my child up and started to walk away I would be a little bit uncomfortable too. I agree that you have to do what you feel is best for you and your child and if you aren’t comfortable then you have to let it be known. Thanks for reading the blog! 🙂