KEEPING a low profile. That’s just how some people like it. This was the explanation offered by Facebook influencer Fat Deadpool on the fashion choices of Chinese women compared to their Malay brethren.
It was noted that Chinese ladies prefer to avoid calling attention to themselves by NOT flaunting their wealth, specifically through flash, shiny gold appendages.
Explaining that it was not that Chinese women cannot afford such luxury items or uninterested in gold as a fashion accessory, it seems that these ladies prefer to keep them in “low profile form, rather than wearing them openly.”
It was surmised that the Chinese do not like drawing attention with conspicuous displays of wealth. Flash gold jewellery attracts attention and such attention only increases the security risks.
“Every race has its own way of showing status or storing wealth. There is no need to compare or make it strange. Understanding other people’s cultures makes us more open and mature,” the poster surmised.
The post has generated 14K likes, 1.3K comments and 4.1K shares at the time of writing, denoting that the topic has caught the attention of netizens who were keen to share their take.
This was sound advice. Quite a few agreed with the sentiment that one’s prosperity should not be put on show.
It was also explained that the Chinese treat gold as an asset rather than a fashion accessory to be worn and shown off.
As such these items are kept in safe deposit boxes in banks, at pawnshops or, as some older folks would say, under the mattress, whilst waiting for the price to hike.
Even if worn, there was no need to overdo it with gold bracelets adorning an arm till the elbow, counselled one Muslim commenter who claims to be married to a Chinese. “Just wear on special occasions,” was his pertinent advice.
Never judge a book by its cover. Quite a few commenters highlighted that many Chinese would dress in a manner that simply did not reflect their wealth.
It was surmised instead of spending on flash luxury items that depreciate in value, they would invest in property and gold or even just place cash in a fixed deposit account.
This observation extended beyond the women with commenters highlighting close encounters with the stereotypical Chinese “uncle” in shorts and pagoda shirt depositing large sums of cash at the bank.
A lady who claimed to work in a gold jewellery shop outlined the differences in tastes and shopping patterns among her customers of different races.
Most importantly though was that customers keep themselves safe. How a person wishes to wear or keep the gold is entirely up the individual.
This minimalist style extended to other spheres as well such as homes. Explaining that there were many Chinese in his kampung who built houses in a Malay-style but were very different in various aspects. These homes were modern, minimalist and beautiful with solid foundations.
However, some commenters surmised that the Chinese spend their cash on other things, just not on gold (or not as much compared to other races). – March 8, 2026
Main image: Prestige
