Welcome back RedNails. A lot of this has to do with upbringing in the home. The parents are responsible to tell their children that they will meet or see a lot of different kinds of people/dress in their lifetimes and that it is plain rude to stare. A brief glance is one thing and if they find it so interesting, they can ask or discuss later at home. That would be the difference in China. The children are brought up to respect their elders. They would take a brief look and ask about it later at home. Sometimes these home lessons must be repeated several times so that they remember. Occasionally, a young child may blurt out something that is purely innocent. When my brother A’H’ was very young he saw a nun for the first time. In those days they wore long black habits and headpieces. He looked and then said to my mother (and not in a stage whisper) “why is that lady wearing a Hallowe’en costume?” My mother was very embarassed but the nun assured her that it was quite alright and that she had heard much worse about her dress. My brother’s lessons began that day. There is no excuse for older children, teens and adults exhibiting this same behaviour.
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