Is this insulting to you?

[scrapquitler]

No matter what costume you do, there's a chance that SOMEONE will be insulted. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[RedAngie]

It probably means "haha, I'm a sucker"

You know, like the Chinese tattoos that say "dumb American".


http://www.reshareworthy.com/asian-character-tattoos-gone-wrong/

You mean to tell me that those three small Asian symbol tattoos on my lower back might not indicate beauty, strength, and nobility, but they really might say "I'm A Tramp"????? Shocking!!!!

And I'm offended by the use of the term "Dutch" to describe those persons living around Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I agree. I don't think most would, at first glance, be thinking the historical possible fine points.

Thank You, that was exactly my point. While that first comment about China and Japan may be considered obvious and truthful... That really isn't what matters here. (and, no, I didn't need a 'reminder' that Japan and China are different. But, thanks anyhow...)

And, it is actually the OP who used the word geisha to describe what she was planning on doing. Not me or anyone else.

I did mention that I am not all that familiar with all of the nuances of Mulan's character, the movie, etc.
And, I most certainly am not schooled and fluent with all of the nuances and differences in all of the various Asian cultures.

Which takes us right back to the demanding, easily offended, over the top, political/cultural correctness.
I shouldn't HAVE to be schooled and fluent... etc.... That expectation, to me, is self absorbed and totally unrealistic.
And, if somebody is offended because they do not understand, or agree with, these kind of things, in a HALLOWEEN COSTUME, NO LESS.
(which is all about no-holds barred fantasy, etc... everything from fairy-angels to the walking dead....)


Sometimes people just need to get a grip.

 

[lizabu]

Ok... I don't know why... (maybe because shes a miserable person...), but MIL told me tonight that dressing up my DD6 as Mulan, (costume from Disney Store) for Halloween, with geisha style make up... is insulting to the Chinese community and that I "can't paint her face white" (like a geisha)...

Now I'm kinda freaking out... DD just happens to like Mulan... and there is a parade at school with costume judging so of course we'd add makeup and hair...

Is this insulting? Or is it "just a halloween costume"?

It could be offensive to some people. I have read where native Americans have been upset about people wearing feathers. They called it culture appropriation and said their culture is not a costume. Same with East Indians and bindis.

 

[Wishing on a star]

And, thank you Medfordis, for that image of Mulan....
I do not see simple light/pale-face.
IMHO, I see white face and dark read lipstick.
Does bring 'Geisha' to mind.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

It could be offensive to some people. I have read where native Americans have been upset about people wearing feathers. They called it culture appropriation and said their culture is not a costume. Same with East Indians and bindis.

It's certainly something to be justifiably upset about.

 

[nugov2]

And, as an aside, I really wouldn't want my six year old daughter being seen as a geisha. Or assumed to be a geisha...

I've never watched Mulan and just assumed she was geisha so I'd think that of any girl dressed as her.

Geisha does not equal prostitute. So I don't really see what the negative connotations are. They are performers. I'd equate dressing up like geisha similar to being a ballerina or rock star.

 

[slo]

Nope.....but I'm not a good person to ask because I don't get offended/insulted very easily.

I'm Hungarian and if someone dressed up as an over the top belly dancer I wouldn't get insulted.

I wish you would have done a poll for this to see if you should or should not use the makeup.
I would vote "should"

 

[3Gsandme]

I've never watched Mulan and just assumed she was geisha so I'd think that of any girl dressed as her.

Geisha does not equal prostitute. So I don't really see what the negative connotations are. They are performers. I'd equate dressing up like geisha similar to being a ballerina or rock star.

Mulan wasn't a geisha. She's Chinese, not Japanese.

I wasn't implying that geisha are prostitutes, though there is debate as to how frequently sex was part of the offered services. Geisha get a little muddy for me regarding gender equality, being "kept" by a patron and that sort of thing. That and that Geisha perform for men. Again, not something I'd want my young daughter representing in addition to the cultural appropriation. I think it's fine to dress as Mulan, but I wouldn't paint her face.

Additionally, Mulan's face is painted in the movie when her family is attempting to arrange a marriage for her. It's when she sings the song "Reflection" and the painted face is DEFINITELY not who Mulan wants to be.

 

[robndani]

My almost 6 year old chose Mulan as her MNSSHP costume (and possibly for school too). I'm not going to do her face white, but I will do some eye make/blush/etc. I don't think it's a big deal if you do it though!

Rock on to the Mulan loving girls out there!

 

[georgina]

I've never watched Mulan and just assumed she was geisha so I'd think that of any girl dressed as her.

Geisha does not equal prostitute. So I don't really see what the negative connotations are. They are performers. I'd equate dressing up like geisha similar to being a ballerina or rock star.

Mulan dressed as a boy and went to war. She is FAR from a Geisha!

 

[Jaime4004]

My almost 6 year old chose Mulan as her MNSSHP costume (and possibly for school too). I'm not going to do her face white, but I will do some eye make/blush/etc. I don't think it's a big deal if you do it though!

Rock on to the Mulan loving girls out there!

I think people are putting way too much thought into a disney cartoon character. DD went through a Mulan phase when she was three. Worn the pink Mulan outfit all the time and carried an umbrella around. It was so cute. That's the Mulan she wanted to be, I didn't feel the need to take that away and make her dress as Mulan going to war... DS also loved Mulan when he was 2, but he didn't want to dress up

 

[wilkeliza]

I think people are putting way too much thought into a disney cartoon character. DD went through a Mulan phase when she was three. Worn the pink Mulan outfit all the time and carried an umbrella around. It was so cute. That's the Mulan she wanted to be, I didn't feel the need to take that away and make her dress as Mulan going to war... DS also loved Mulan when he was 2, but he didn't want to dress up

Most of us aren't caught up on the pretty "Princess" version of Mulan but rather the painted face match maker Mulan. When you see her in the parks she is in the match maker outfit and make up but not the full white face. Same for when she sings Reflection on the cruises. She is in the outfit and pretty make up minus the white face. The part where many people get offended will be any changing of someone's skin color even if it is what the character did as well. I've never seen anyone adult or child use the white make up when dressed as the more princess Mulan.

 

[Jaime4004]

Most of us aren't caught up on the pretty "Princess" version of Mulan but rather the painted face match maker Mulan. When you see her in the parks she is in the match maker outfit and make up but not the full white face. Same for when she sings Reflection on the cruises. She is in the outfit and pretty make up minus the white face. The part where many people get offended will be any changing of someone's skin color even if it is what the character did as well. I've never seen anyone adult or child use the white make up when dressed as the more princess Mulan.

There have been a few posts about what the movie was really about, etc, so some are hung up on it. But I did catch that most people have a problem with the white paint. I just wholeheartedly don't agree. Still a cartoon character to me. It's hard for me to ever be offended if that is not someone's intention. Obviously a 6 yr old is just trying to be a character from a cartoon, not trying to offend someone. Maybe that's her favorite scene. I happen to like it myself. To me, people seem to reach for things to be offended about.

 

[gemini2727]

I think there is some over-thinking here. It's a Halloween costume, wearing make-up is fun. I've used full face make-up on my kids many a Halloween, and they were fine wearing it. It didn't always make it through the whole day, but it made them happy. And what is offensive about dressing up in another culture's traditional dress? There is no insult meant here.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't understand why people get offended when someone changes their skin color when in costume. How can that be offensive? It's just part of a costume. I personally didn't mind when the Wayans Brothers did it but I suppose that people whined then too.

 

[fly girl]

My daughter was a Japanese Princess 2 years ago for Halloween. She fell in love with this red kimono costume I found online after not buying one she desperately wanted at Mitsukoshi in Epcot.



I did NOT buy the wig, I thought it was too much. And I looked at how to do appropriate make up and did a very toned down kid version of this (no foundation, just light blush/eyes/lips and used makeup we got from the Bippity Boppity Boutique.)

Also, did not glue orchids on, but I did buy fake ones and put them in her hair, looked adorable! FYI, hair was in a bun.

My best friend is Asian and she didn't find it the least bit offensive.

 

[nugov2]

Mulan dressed as a boy and went to war. She is FAR from a Geisha!

I don't recall saying Mulan was a Geisha.

I was responding to a poster who I thought wouldn't let her dd dress up as a Geisha because she associated geisha with being a prostitute, which is a common misconception. She clarified it wasn't that, but the fact she finds Geisha demeaning to women.

 

[xlxo]

Do a quick google for images...
https://www.google.ca/search?q=disney+mulan+costume&tbm=isch

I don't see anything offsensive in the costume.

With regards to white make up..... Chinese avoid "white" colors as it means "death". One exception is Chinese Opera performances.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=chinese+opera+makeup&tbm=isch

 

[3Gsandme]

I don't recall saying Mulan was a Geisha.

I was responding to a poster who I thought wouldn't let her dd dress up as a Geisha because she associated geisha with being a prostitute, which is a common misconception. She clarified it wasn't that, but the fact she finds Geisha demeaning to women.

That's not accurate. I'm the poster and I didn't say that Geisha were prostitutes.