[LAUGHING THROUGH HISTORY 30] 'Do You Wash Your Face in the Nude?'
The joke I’m translating today is short and simple, but it’s interesting for the way it uses humor to parody and attack Western racism and arrogance. Although the joke was included in a Korean humor collection, the two figures here are identified only as a Westerner and a man from China's Qing Dynasty. (Qing was the last Chinese dynasty and ended in 1911, five years before “Kkalkkal Useum” was…
![[LAUGHING THROUGH HISTORY 30] 'Do You Wash Your Face in the Nude?'](/img/818959)
The humorous anecdote explores the cultural differences in hygiene practices between Westerners and a man from China's Qing Dynasty. The joke stems from the Westerner mocking the Chinese man, employing a widely held racial stereotype that Europeans are inherently cleaner and more hygienic than other races. This belief served as a pseudo-scientific rationale to justify Western racial supremacy, underpinning the justification for colonialism and economic exploitation in Eastern territories.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- [LAUGHING THROUGH HISTORY 30] 'Do You Wash Your Face in the Nude?' koreatimes.co.kr
