Thai man wears green hat in China, learns what it really means

A Thai man visiting China experienced an unexpected encounter after wearing a green hat. On September 22, he posted a photo of the cap in a Facebook group dedicated to sharing reviews of travel and restaurants in China. While travelling, the man noticed people looking at him strangely until someone approached and explained through Google Translate that the green hat had a negative connotation.

He learned that donning a green hat could suggest someone had been cheated on by their wife or partner, leading to ridicule. Initially, the man thought the stranger was joking, but after researching the expression, he became so embarrassed that he no longer dared to wear the green hat. The post sparked discussions among group members about the custom.

Some shared their experiences, explaining that the expression “你被绿了” and “他给你带绿帽子了” were used to convey a partner's infidelity. Others offered different explanations, such as a folk tale about a married woman giving her husband a green hat to signal he could meet his lover while away. Still, others suggested the green hat had once been associated with lower-status groups in ancient China, including those involved in prostitution.

While some questioned the relevance of such customs, others compared the situation to wearing black to a wedding or red to a funeral, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity.