B2 – Upper Intermediate
In China, being Caucasian can open doors to a Hollywood style career. With thousands of high-rise apartment units to sell, housing developers have turned to talent agencies that specialize in renting out foreigners to clients. A white face is supposed to make a place “truly international” which should then translate into sales.
Read more and see how the Chinese use image to solve the real estate glut and in the process transform the average Joe into a celebrity of sorts.
https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-chinas-rent-a-foreigner-industry-2017-6
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you think foreigners being made to pretend to be people they are not is acceptable?
2. Can you think of an experience you’ve had whereby you were treated in a special way because of the color of your skin?
3. Why do you think the Chinese associate white people with prestige?
4. Would you agree to be a foreigner for rent in China? Why or why not?