How to be a Celebrity in Asia
Many of the temples in India are visited by locals from very rural areas. They are not used to seeing Westerners, especially two elderly white women, alone. We received many stares, smiles, and requests to take photos with them. First would be the children, then it would be the women, and then it could be the whole family. In one instance, a young man who told us he was a soldier left his buddies to spend time taking with us. He called Louise “Auntie” and me “Gramma.”
Before we could move on, others would make a similar request. Finally, at the Taj Mahal, we began to ask for a few pictures of our own. Seriously it took up 30% of the time on our visits— ah, the drawbacks of how to be a celebrity in Asia.
In many parts of Asia, it is common for locals to request pictures taken with Westerners or tourists. There are several reasons behind this phenomenon:
- Cultural curiosity: Asian societies, especially in more rural or less cosmopolitan areas, may have limited exposure to people from Western countries. As a result, encountering foreigners can be a unique and fascinating experience for them. Taking a picture together becomes a way to commemorate this encounter and serves as a form of cultural exchange.
- Perception of Westerners as exotic: Westerners are often viewed as exotic or different due to differences in physical appearance, clothing, and cultural practices. This curiosity leads locals to want to capture these encounters through photographs to remember and share their experiences with others.
- Symbol of status and prestige: In some Asian cultures, having a photo taken with a Westerner can be seen as a status symbol or a way to enhance one's social image. It may convey the impression of being well-travelled or connecting with the global community.
- Souvenir and memory: For locals and tourists, taking a picture together can be a cherished memento of a unique encounter. It allows people to remember and share their experiences with others.
It's important to note that while this phenomenon may be prevalent in certain parts of Asia, it does not represent the views or preferences of every individual in the region.
From Sharon B.
What an amazing trip you’re on! Ki and I had the same experience when we visited Vietnam. She was a particular draw as, at the time, her head was nearly shaved. We were besieged with photo requests everywhere we went. I wonder how our moments of celebrity will be captioned in the family photo album?
From Judith Y.
It used to happen all the time in Indonesia. The number of people who wanted to take photos of my then blond-haired, blue-eyed baby. They were also fascinated by the hair on Roy’s body as it’s not something they have.