Is 'southern spuds' a discriminatory term?

Recently, the term "southern spuds" has gained popularity, thanks to Harbin, the capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang province which is creating a frenzy on social networking sites in China.

Harbin has been actively catering to tourists from southern China, and these visitors are affectionately referred to as "nanfang xiaotudou" or "southern spuds". The nickname stems from the perception that people from the south, who tend to be shorter, resemble potatoes when bundled up in thick down jackets and hats. The intention behind this nickname may not be to discriminate based on height but rather to create a sense of warmth and familiarity for southern tourists.

During the three-day New Year holiday, Harbin hosted a whopping 3 million tourists, raking in a staggering 5.9 billion yuan ($826.75 million) in revenue. Both in terms of tourist numbers and revenue it was a historic high, with Harbin accounting for nearly half of tourist arrivals and 85 percent of tourism income in the entire Heilongjiang province during the holiday.

The secret behind Harbin's explosive popularity is its meticulous and almost indulgent dedication to tourists. To better accommodate visitors from across the country, especially those from the south, Harbin has taken its service to the next level. The local frozen pear, a Northeastern specialty, is carefully sliced into bite-sized pieces and elegantly presented. Airports host flash mobs to welcome arriving tourists, symphony concerts find their way into shopping malls, and a drone lifts an artificial moon over the St. Sophia Cathedral for tourists to click away with their mobile phone and other cameras. Hot air balloons rise over the frozen Songhua River, and old, worn-out bus signs are taken down overnight—all evidence of Harbin going all out to attract tourists.

However, the usage of this nickname "southern spuds" has sparked a lively debate regarding its potential discriminatory nature. Locals, however, employ the term endearingly, focusing on conveying warmth and goodwill rather than mocking height. Additionally, other playful nicknames like "potato princess" are also gaining popularity in a similar vein.

While many embrace the humor behind such nicknames, some netizens have taken offence to being called "southern spuds". Even though meant as a compliment, some feel their height is being made fun of.

Despite the sincerity and warmth extended by the people from the Northeast, it is crucial to acknowledge that regional bias exists in some parts of China. In an era of accelerated population mobility where anyone can be a visitor or host, fostering tolerance and goodwill is paramount as all appreciate friendliness and detest discrimination no matter on purpose or not.

The author is a writer with China Daily.