„CHIŃCZYKI TRZYMAJĄ SIĘ MOCNO” DYNAMIKA OBRAZU CHIŃCZYKA W POLSCE (1988–2018)
“THE CHINESE ARE DOING WELL”. DYNAMICS OF THE IMAGE OF THE CHINESE IN POLAND (1988–2018)

Summary/Abstract: The article focuses on an analysis of the structure and dynamics of the Chinaman stereotype in Polish society. It is based on nationwide surveys by Ewa Nowicka’s team (1988 and 2018) and on the few findings of quantitative and qualitative research by others. We found the image of the Chinese particularly interesting in research on social distance as a classic stereotype of the “unknown stranger” community, built on indirect information (mainly media) and not on knowledge deriving from personal interaction (the number of Chinese citizens residing in Poland in 2020 was just above 20,000). The low level of knowledge about China means that sometimes the Chinese are generally perceived in Polish society as Asians. In such a social situation, the stereotype of a foreign group is built around the key values for the culture of the society creating the stereotype. The Polish stereotype of the Chinese is dominated by the trait of “industriousness” (and its derivatives), valued very highly in Polish culture. It is associated with the third most frequent feature—“submissiveness to authority” (no pursuit of individual or collective freedom), as well as the second most frequently indicated group of traits related to courtesy, calmness, and politeness. According to other nationwide surveys the Chinese rank low on the fondness scale; they are one of the few least-liked peoples and ethnic groups. In recent years, there has been an increase in the positive image of the Chinese, which is clearly related to the growing economic importance of China in the world. In the respondents’ comments this is expressed not only in terms of admiration, but also unease. A survey conducted in mid-2018 shows the image of the Chinese in Polish society shortly before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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