IndexMainland ChinaHong KongUnited StatesConclusionHow do Chinese people from different parts of the world react to these images of an American girl wearing a qipao for her prom dress? We will delve into some responses from mainland China, Hong Kong, the United States and Canada. Responses are generally mixed, with some finding the images offensive to their culture, while others don't seem to care at all. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original EssayA series of photos of a teenage girl, who is not of Chinese descent, wearing a qipao (also known as "cheongsam" in Cantonese) at her school's prom has gone viral on social media and sparked debates on cultural appropriation. The Utah-born high schooler received backlash from the Internet, particularly after a response from Twitter user Jeremy Lam — a Chinese-American — who said, "My culture is not your damn prom dress." Mainland China Most of the responses from mainland Chinese netizens are positive, as they don't see a problem with a non-Chinese person wearing a qipao. The general opinion seems to be that the qipao is just a dress. Many people also felt honored and pleased that Daum shows her appreciation for Chinese culture through elegant and modest dress, as cultural exchange through mediums such as fashion should be celebrated. Very few people thought the images were remotely offensive, as one argued that “cultural appropriation is not a big issue in China compared to Western societies.” While it might be expected that those who live in China, and therefore connect more strongly with Chinese culture, would find the images offensive to some extent, almost none of the responses complained of cultural appropriation. Here are comments from Chinese netizens regarding the issue: Why do people find it offensive? Don't insult anyone by wearing a dress. Plus, she's gorgeous! Wow! I'm really happy that American teenagers also appreciate the beauty of qipao and Chinese culture. The only offensive thing about this is her pose in the third photo [pictured below], which is not very elegant and is not an appropriate pose to strike when wearing a qipao, as it is a symbolism of grace and femininity. Otherwise, I think it's absolutely ok. Hong Kong Our local responses seem to be very similar to those in mainland China, as most believe the act should be seen as a compliment to Chinese culture, rather than an offense . Some Hongkongers have criticized that people are taking the issue too seriously and that cultural appropriation has gone too far. Unlike responses from mainland China, which are mostly positive and encouraging, responses from Hong Kong appear to focus on the irrationality of how others might find the images offensive. Here are the comments from Hong Kong netizens: The world is becoming too sensitive. It is quite clear that he intended to honor and respect Chinese culture. So you're saying I can't wear a suit and tie to work because it's not my culture? Let's not be so selfish with our identifying culture and instead share it with the world to exchange knowledge and ideas. Yes, he may be ignorant of the history behind this traditional piece of clothing, but that doesn't mean he is deliberately trying to insult our culture by wearing a dress. Chinese-Americans in the United States seem to have very polarizing opinions on the topic, as some have”.