A customer support representative’s image on Apple’s website, sporting a ponytail resembling an Asian appearance, has sparked important displeasure amongst a phase of Chinese Internet users. They accuse the famend US tech firm, Apple, of disrespecting Chinese culture and displaying cultural insensitivity.
This drama started flaring throughout the Chinese social media platform, Weibo after a publish that includes the aforementioned employee’s picture was shared on the internet site bilibili on Sunday. In the controversial post, the consumer accused Apple of assigning this ponytailed worker, reminiscent of the Qing dynasty period, to serve prospects in China.
The cultural insensitivity allegations steadily spread, leading some Chinese netizens to assault Apple, questioning if it was mocking Chinese folks. This is as a outcome of the ponytail symbolises the time when the Han folks had been oppressed by the Manchu-led Qing dynasty.
Meanwhile, different netizens attempted to calm the situation, questioning if the cultural insensitivity reactions were overly sensitive. Some even identified that the employee’s picture seems on Apple’s web sites in other countries, not just China. They additionally speculated that the particular person within the image might be a native American rather than Chinese.
On Monday, China Daily, a information website, published an editorial warning netizens to be cautious of excessive nationalism. It acknowledged that although the ponytail may be a sore spot for the Han individuals, it’s essential to acknowledge that the coiffure is worn in lots of cultures. Hence, understanding that a ponytail is a method and never intended to insult any culture, reported Sanook.
Nevertheless, Off-limits continues to be a crucial marketplace for Apple, accounting for 20% of its complete sales. It additionally serves as a big manufacturing base for this American firm.
Vietnam just lately banned the Barbie film because of issues of cultural insensitivity. The controversy stemmed from a scene within the film that displayed China’s unilaterally claimed territory in the South China Sea. Read extra HERE.
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