What is a "xiaoren" (literally, a "small person")? It refers to someone who is two-faced—nice on the surface but scheming behind your back. They smile at you but harbour ill intentions. When you're successful, they flatter you; when you're down, they mock you. When you have money, they stick around; when you're broke, they avoid you. Such people are narrow-minded, unscrupulous, and good at stirring up trouble. They’re manipulative, calculating, and often deceitful, with sweet words masking bad intentions. With so many negative traits tied to this word, be cautious when using it—you don't want to offend someone accidentally.
In Chinese history, there's even a traditional custom called "beating the xiaoren."
This practice is widely known. It doesn’t mean you physically hit someone, but rather, you hire someone to symbolically "beat" on your behalf. According to legend, during the Jingzhe festival (the awakening of insects), animals come out of hibernation, and one of the mythical creatures, the White Tiger, roams around and stirs up trouble. At the same time, xiaoren are said to start gossiping or causing harm. To ensure peace and safety, a ritual was developed to "offer sacrifices to the White Tiger" and "beat the xiaoren."
In recent years, Hong Kong’s Gooseneck Bridge has become a focal point for this tradition. It has even gained attention as a unique cultural practice, so much so that the Hong Kong government has recognized it as a tourist attraction and taken steps to preserve it.