As a white, 6'7" guy, in China in the early 90's, I had the same experiences. I figured folks would be intimidated by my size, but it was quite the opposite. It was like the circus came to town every time we visited a new town or location.
Admittedly, it was tough to get used to the frequent manhandling and small mobs that wanted to take my picture. Back then, they also had coin operated scales in most cities - seemingly on every block -- the measured your height and weight and spit out a card with both and your fortune (while playing horrible electronic "music" as the lever came slowly down to touch your head for the height measurement.) Whenever we stopped moving near one, people would ask me to stand on it so they could get a "souvenir" card - undoubtedly to prove they had met a "Giant" downtown.
Admittedly, it was tough to get used to the frequent manhandling and small mobs that wanted to take my picture. Back then, they also had coin operated scales in most cities - seemingly on every block -- the measured your height and weight and spit out a card with both and your fortune (while playing horrible electronic "music" as the lever came slowly down to touch your head for the height measurement.) Whenever we stopped moving near one, people would ask me to stand on it so they could get a "souvenir" card - undoubtedly to prove they had met a "Giant" downtown.