It was one of the coldest weekends in Massachusetts that I had experienced, and my heat was entirely broken. The repairmen came, announced its death, removed it, and confirmed that I needed to find somewhere new to stay before our house lowered to dangerous temperatures. Later that night, I was sitting in the living room of my co-worker’s apartment, my hands fidgeting, urging for my nightly cup of hot water. When I commented this to my friend, her partner immediately perked up.
“Oh, so you’re on TikTok?” she asked.
“No,” I answered, confused. She quickly launched into explaining the global phenomenon of “turning Chinese,” noting that drinking hot water was an integral part of the “becoming Chinese” TikTok movement, citing its digestion health benefits. The trend centers around warmth — drinking a cup of hot water in the morning, eating warm foods throughout the day, and using clothing like slippers, to further emphasize the importance of maintaining a high body temperature.
I drink hot water at night because I crave a cozy nighttime routine. But why are other people leaning toward this cultural shift, suddenly prioritizing lifestyle changes based on a TikTok trend? A partial explanation is that there is value in the benefits these recommendations promote. By staying hydrated with warm water, it points to possibly improved metabolism function and easier digestion, most people claiming they can feel a reduction in stomach discomfort. However, according to the Cleveland Clinic, they have yet to discover solid evidence proving this claim. But, Registered Dietitian Beth Czerwony said that hot water potentially helps your GI tract loosen its muscle, aiding in feelings of constipation, but that drinking water at any temperature will offer positive impacts for stomach health.
What started as simple videos across platforms has now exploded into something more: a set of lifestyle choices for people to follow to better navigate their health while they are simultaneously learning about another culture.
The trend is credited to Chinese American influencer, Sherry Zhu, whose original video of teaching viewers the secret of becoming Chinese has now reached 2.7 million views. She notes that her commenting on viewers “Turning Chinese” is a joke that stems from noticing people integrating Chinese habits, identifying house slippers and chopsticks as so Chinese.
Surrounding this trend, many Chinese Americans are voicing their thoughts. Jennifer Lee went to TikTok to further emphasize the community’s disdain for people rapidly switching from hatred for Chinese culture to now embracing it, all due to a social media trend. Yet, she also notes that for some, it is a mode of acceptance and a celebration of her culture. Ultimately, while TikTok viewers seem to be enjoying participating in this trend, happily adopting their new “Chinese” identity, Chinese American influencers are stuck in a more convoluted space.
There is an internal conflict for people who have experienced a hybrid identity their entire lives, without choice, subjected to racism and bullying, and are now thrown into a world that seemingly honors what they once ridiculed. There is a significant cultural significance in this trend. Not only because it displays a social paradigm but because it highlights the impact that TikTok has. Zhu’s video was released at the beginning of January, and since then, the video has escalated into a change of lifestyle for people, a question of identity for others, and a viral trend that questions how a country’s traditions can rapidly change from the subject of tireless satire to become a culturally relevant trend.
After hundreds of years of hot water being easily available, it’s almost comical to see its sudden and dramatic surge in popularity. But it is a testament to the power of people banding together, taking pride in their culture and being open-minded enough to share and try it. While hot water might be the most simplistic beverage to be all the rage, it’s the culture behind it that is truly experiencing a heightened enthusiasm and appreciation. I drink hot water at night because I relax with a warm comforting drink before bed. Now, people are drinking hot water because it unites them with a growing community of people willing to experience new trends and learn about cultures outside of their own.