One thing you can probably notice about Chinese couples is that they love wearing the so called “couple T-shirts”. These are basically T-shirts with the same or similar design, which a guy and a girl wear in oder to show the world how much they adore each other and that they are “one”. This is very popular with the Chinese couples and there are even shops dedicated to selling couple T-shirts only. However, when I first introduced this idea to my dear English boyfriend, he was absolutely appalled and said: “why are they doing that?! That’s ridiculous!”
- I would say that’s something very Chinese, he continued. I noticed that many Chinese girls would wear T-shirts with cartoon designs. I mean, it’s cute for small girls, but definately not for a grown woman! And for guy as well? No way! That just looks so, so awkward.”
- But it shows people that they love each other and they like to appear to be ONE! I argued.
- I still love you even if we are not wearing the same shirt. I think your clothes kind of show people your personality, and I like you to be yourself; different from anyone else, with your own personality and thoughts. Those uniform-like couple – shirts are just, well, so stupid! He said.
- Well yes I guess it is a very Chinese thing. I’m not a fan of couple T-shirts myself but I can totally understand the idea behind it. It’s just the Chinese way of love. It’s purer and more subtle. Couples here like to do cute and sweet things together, which in the west are well looked-down upon. You have a word for this—sticky, isn’t it? But in China people who wear couple T-shirts just want to have another thing in common, so that they feel more loved by the one another. What is so stupid about that? I said.
He looked like he wanted to keep arguing but then just let the topic go. We don’t have a pair of couple T-shirts after all, but we did go to this couple T-shirt shop, and we had fun in there trying out different shirts until the sales assistant couldn’t bear with us any more.
So if you love your Chinese girlfriend, why not give her a couple´s T-shirt? It’s not as ridiculous as you might think. I assure you it’s absolutely normal in China, and your Chinese girl would love your surprise!
