Since ancient times, the expression xiaobailian (" little white face ") for young kept males has been a negative term." Hence, unless there are other talents or attributes, beauty often has negative connotations, "says Ho Chin-ming, who notes that when the Chinese speak about a man being handsome, they often unconsciously turn to the realms of morality and accomplishment and away from physical beauty.
由於自古「小白臉」像是一種「警示」，「因此除非有別的才華或優點，否則僅以美著稱，容易落入被貶低的意義裡」，柯慶明說，中國人談男性美，也就常常不自覺的轉入德行、立功等領域裡。