"You Have to Become Chinese": U.S. in Uproar as Gen Z Suddenly Embraces Tea Drinking Trend
Following Chinese Health Practices and Wearing Traditional Attire
'China Maxxing' Emerges as a New Cultural Phenomenon
Drinking hot water, wearing slippers indoors, and donning Chinese-style clothing...
Recently, among young Americans, there has been a trend of adopting Chinese customs, known as "Becoming Chinese." This phenomenon, also referred to as "China Maxxing," has been analyzed by U.S. media outlets as a reflection of growing Western interest in Chinese culture.
Recently, major U.S. media outlets such as CNN, Time, and The New York Times have all reported on the popularity of Becoming Chinese among Generation Z in the United States. Time magazine analyzed this trend as not simply a case of cultural appropriation, but as a movement in which young Americans are digitally reimagining China.
Sherry Zhu, a 23-year-old Chinese-American TikTok creator living in New Jersey, drew attention by introducing traditional Chinese health practices and Lunar New Year customs, along with the phrase "Tomorrow, you will become Chinese." She has also been posting a series titled "Becoming an Attractive Chinese Woman" on TikTok, with each video recording between 2 million and 6 million views.
Searching for "Becoming Chinese" or "China Maxxing" on TikTok, one can often find young American women from Generation Z dancing in traditional Chinese qipao dresses or drinking traditional Chinese tea. Some upload videos of themselves arranging Chinese-style meals or demonstrating Chinese martial arts. U.S. media have commented, "Young Americans have already witnessed Asia steadily accumulating global cultural influence," and added, "Following Korea and Japan, it now appears to be China's turn."
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However, experts analyze that this trend reflects dissatisfaction with domestic issues in the United States, including political turmoil, gun violence, immigration crackdowns, and ongoing racial conflict. They say that young people, fatigued by the current situation at home, have become curious about what everyday life might be like in other countries. CNN also noted, "Given the long-standing anti-China sentiment and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the U.S., it is difficult to predict how long 'China Maxxing' will continue."
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