U.S. Foreign Service Officer headed to Wuhan, China

The mission of a U.S. diplomat in the Foreign Service is to promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American citizens while advancing the interests of the U.S. abroad. The work that diplomats do has an impact on the world as they serve at one of any of the more than 270 embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions in The Americas, Africa, Europe and Eurasia, East Asia and Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, and South Asia.

The duties of a Consular Officer include to provide emergency and non-emergency services to American citizens and protect our borders through the proper adjudication of visas to foreign nationals and passports to American citizens. We adjudicate immigrant and non-immigrant visas, facilitate adoptions, help evacuate Americans, combat fraud, and fight human trafficking. Consular Officers touch people’s lives in important ways, often reassuring families in crisis. They face many situations which require quick thinking under stress and develop and use a wide range of skills, from managing resources and conducting public outreach to assisting Americans in distress.

Matching Couples' T-shirts

One of the first things that caught my attention upon arriving in China was the amount of couples wearing matching shirts - they were everywhere! I saw people wearing matching shirts downtown as well as students who were dating on campus wearing them. Couples matching t-shirts seem to be one of two kinds: either both parties are wearing the exact same shirt or they wear shirts that are complementary to each other. The shirts that are made to be worn in a pair are my favorite and can be really creative and funny. When Sean's sister and girlfriend were here they bought some couples shirts in which one shirt said "H" and the other said " ₂0".

For his birthday I bought Sean and I some pink matching shirts which form a rainbow-colored heart when worn together. Ken and his girlfriend also purchased a really cute matching pair as well.

Last night in class two of my students were wearing matching shirts (bright yellow polos with purple stripes). I asked Brian and Jessica why they wanted to wear them. They said that it was fun and a way to express to others that they were together. My class also informed me that the matching shirts have been especially popular now and during the last two years.

I started searching the internet to see what I could find about couples shirts and Wikipedia, which calls them "couple costumes," actually has a small blurb which goes like this: "Couple costume is the practice for a couple to wear the same hat, T-shirt, or other clothing in public to signal their relationship. It is especially common in South Korea and Taiwan, and is becoming more common in mainland China during its reform and opening."

I found several blogs with Chinese or Korean authors who discussed this issue at length. Here is what one blog called "loveloveChina: everything about Chinese girls" had to say: "Obviously, [couple shirts] is a way to show affection to each other and claim the existence of relationship. While public display of affection is not welcome in China young people seek for other ways to express their feelings. And the fashion industry comes to their rescue offering a big choice of outfits for couples. Besides clothes there is a wide range of other matching items for couples – such as pillows, underwear, cups, watches, necklaces, bracelets, rings and so on. Isn’t it sweet to have some common little thingies?" Check out her blog if you want to see more pics of couples in matching tees.

I think the matching shirts are pretty fun and I'm lucky enough to have a guy who will tolerate this amusement and don a pink shirt with half a heart. Now I'll just have to see if he will wear it out in public with me in Holland, MI . . .

Read More 11 comments | Posted by Sarah Sanderson

11 comments

Custom t-shirts on May 26, 2010 at 1:36 AM

One of the wonderful couple t-shirt I have ever seen in my entire life. I can say that both of the couple is really funny and enjoying the life a lot.
Scuttleboose on May 26, 2010 at 8:36 AM

SO CUTE! :) Any guy who will wear a pink shirt deserves an award!
Unknown on August 23, 2010 at 12:00 AM

Oh my gosh! Love love love this! My partner and I were in Shanghai in June and looked all over for a t-shirt set that we would wear in America and that fits our Western bodies. Wish we had seen these! Any ideas where to buy online?
Andrew Smith on October 24, 2011 at 1:09 AM

cute girl for couples. i'll try to buy a couple cheap tee shirts this coming Christmas for us two.
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Wanderlust

In Mandarin: 旅遊癮 (lǚyóu yǐn)

According to my Mandarin teacher, the term 'wanderlust' can best be translated as 'a travel addiction or craving'. In the above translation, 'yǐn' has several meanings such as 'a strong impulse', 'a longing', or 'a desire'.

U.S. Foreign Service Officer headed to Wuhan, China

Matching Couples' T-shirts

11 comments