Sep 12 2008
Guess the Asian!
I’m not positive if this is the case with every Asian immigrant parent, but I won’t be surprised if it is. My parents have the habit of trying to “guess” what type of Asian a person is whenever they see one in public, on TV, or in a restaurant. They would ask me or each other (usually in Chinese)– “She’s a Korean, you think?” Or “I think he’s Chinese.”
It almost has become a reflex for my parents and I always found it…intriguing.
Because I don’t know that many Caucasian adults who do that whenever they see other Caucasians. Unless the person has an accent, it’s not like they turn around and say, “You think, she’s Italian or American Cuban?” Or “he’s so Spanish looking! Look at him!”
Personally, I usually have some difficulty distinguishing between other Asian races, most likely because I’m white-washed as heck. But I always wondered what brought about this impulse for Asians to seek to classify other Asians on sight. Perhaps it’s a need to find kinship? Or maybe it’s just good old human nature kicking in? What say you?
4 Responses to “Guess the Asian!”
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I noticed my best friend’s mom does that. She is Chinese but from the Philippines. She was always pointing how she thought was Korean, Filipino, Chinese, etc.
I am white. I have noticed that a lot of white people want to know what you are regardless of white or not. I hear a lot of, “is he black?” “Is she hispanic?” “What do you think he is?” Especially if someone does not look obviously one thing or the other.
It’s an odd practice to me no matter who is doing it.
Good post.
~Kelly
http://www.30somethingandsearching.today.com/
Korean, definitely.
To Kelly,
Good for you to share! You’re right, in the sense that it could just be all human nature. But the thing with my parents is that they only seem to do it mostly with other Asians and not with the other races. It’s quite interesting actually.
I kinda like guessing ethnicities, but I only do it if relevant. But I notice My Asian friends do love to see someone of their own culture. My one friend was so happy when she asked if my girlfriend was Filipino and when I said yes, she jumped for joy…. It startled me quite a bit!
Kuya Mike Loves you, Lea!
http://waxingpoetically.today.com
http://artfromtheoutskirts.today.com