Arrogant and other forms of disgusting behaviour are not specific to any ethnic group or nation. Instead, it is a special form of misbehaviour common to human nature in general. Chinese people, mostly with a middle-class background or a background in business, may show such tactless behaviour while abroad in nations far less developed than China is today.

Decades ago, such behaviour was shown by a certain type of mostly male Americans who felt themselves and their nation to be superior while they were on travel in nations much poorer and less developed than their own. With China having risen to a global player and having had the status of a poorly developed nation before, the members of such a nation now enjoying a much better living standard than before may feel inclined to look down on others.

In other words, a citizen formally on the side of a nation of losers has caught up with the standards in the rest of the world on the winners’ side and has acquired a new self-confidence and pride in the achievements made. Psychologically, it may tempt such people to look down on others who are still less fortunate.