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Post by milkman's baby on Nov 25, 2009 21:58:39 GMT -5
I've been seriously asked if my parents immigrated here from Antarctica (and the girl was actually pretty smart too). And then I had a couple of pitifully ignorant friends wanting to know whether I was "either Asian or Chinese" because they thought China wasn't in Asia. Usually the strangest questions are just from dumb people. Doesn't necessarily offend me but it embarrasses me.
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Post by moralhazard on Nov 26, 2009 4:49:03 GMT -5
^ Girl who asked if your folks came from Antarctica should lose extra points considering there ain't any people there except for scientists and researchers. And of course the odd single file of emperor penguins. The Arctic is the one with life, for the moment.
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Post by milkman's baby on Nov 26, 2009 10:44:04 GMT -5
^ I know, that's why it was a dumb question that came as a surprise. I think she asked because I was interested in Antarctica at the time and I would talk about the research stations down there, and because I look like an Eskimo. But it doesn't matter, because there are no Eskimos in Antarctica. No native humans found yet.
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Post by Ganbare! on Nov 26, 2009 17:37:28 GMT -5
I've been asked quite a few times if I were Inuit. Obviously that happened when I was living back in Eastern Canada.
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Post by Emily on Nov 28, 2009 2:44:27 GMT -5
Just this Wednesday, at the Doctor's office: "Are you Haitian?"
That, I did not understand. The doctor himself was most likely Haitian, it seemed like he was asking "Are you Haitian, too?"
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Post by cruelangel on Nov 28, 2009 12:10:22 GMT -5
I had a good one the other day. Not the first time I was asked this one, nor will it be the last, but the way it was asked..
Girl: Can I ask you an offensive question?
Me: Of course!
Girl: What are you?
Me: Wow, and you picked the most offensive way to ask too!
Girl: Sorry, I didn't mean it that way, (blah blah blah)
Long story short, her boyfriend was mixed and recognized that I was mixed and wanted to be sure I guess..
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hypeforlife91
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Post by hypeforlife91 on Nov 28, 2009 16:32:26 GMT -5
^ Any form of that question is a classic especially for people like us. o.o
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Post by milkman's baby on Nov 28, 2009 21:29:43 GMT -5
I've started answering with "American" and leaving it at that. It's none of their business unless they know you really well.
Some people are always NEEDING to know someone's race before getting to know them. They ask so they know how to interact with you. I've had several occasions where people have changed their attitude and behavior toward me after realizing I'm actually Eurasian and not Hispanic. Could have been some other reason or sheer coincidence but in all likelihood my racial identity changed their outlook of me completely.
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hypeforlife91
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Post by hypeforlife91 on Nov 28, 2009 22:10:09 GMT -5
^ I know right it's so annoying. I've told people I'm from Chicago. Then they say "Oh I thought you were from Japan or something, oh wait no, you definitely look like a Filipino". Then when I don't answer them or pause a bit when they say that....they WAIT until I answer them and give me a really hard stare and if I don't answer they ask me again! Those are the people I just met and I don't even want to tell them what I am because I barely know them. Human? Isn't "I'm from Chicago" enough? Then there are those who INSIST that I don't look Chinese even though I am. Bah.
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Post by Ganbare! on Nov 29, 2009 18:27:27 GMT -5
I've started answering with "American" and leaving it at that. It's none of their business unless they know you really well. Some people are always NEEDING to know someone's race before getting to know them. They ask so they know how to interact with you. I've had several occasions where people have changed their attitude and behavior toward me after realizing I'm actually Eurasian and not Hispanic. Could have been some other reason or sheer coincidence but in all likelihood my racial identity changed their outlook of me completely. You know your EA when people do that.. |
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hypeforlife91
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Post by hypeforlife91 on Nov 29, 2009 20:25:19 GMT -5
Well just today...(it isn't very a question I guess)..but anyways..
this old white lady i walked by at the Asian/Chinese stuff aisle of Safeway Supermarket said to me..."soy?" I looked at her with a blank stare. I had no idea what she was saying and I think she can't really speak English o.o. So I was like "yes...what..?" She said "soy?" I was like " oh...soy sauce? It's over there." She's like "Noooo...soy"...*makes hand movements that makes me even more confused* Then she's like "nevermind".
After she left I realized that she might be saying "water" in chinese. The hand movements I didn't understand at all. Does she think I can't speak English or something because I'm an Asian in the Asian aisle? Unless she can't speak English herself, she could've just said "water" though...iono...
Or maybe she's trying to prove to me "hey...I can speak Chinese too!" Lol.
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Post by cruelangel on Dec 12, 2009 0:41:22 GMT -5
I had a great one today. New girl at work, I've only spoken to a few times. We are waiting for an elevator. She also happens to be white.
Girl: Are you in a relationship?
Me: Yes
Girl: Oh, is she Asian?
Me: What would make you think I'd be dating an Asian girl?
Girl: Oh, is she White?
Me: Well, shes mixed. Shes Italian and Vietnamese.
Girl: You guys would make beautiful babies.
Me: Uhhh yeah... I'm mixed too..
Girl: Oh really?!?
Me: Yeah, (explains mix to her)
Girl: So your Mom is Asian? (I assume the same about most mixed people too)
Me: No, my dad is..
Girl: Oh wow, that's an unusual mix ( I also think she called me a skittle in there somewhere)
Me: Yes, if it wasn't for the miracle of flight I would probably not exist..
I actually like when people ask me the obvious questions. I really dislike it when people try to be PC and try and sneak around to find out about you.. "wow that's an interesting name, where is it from?"
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hypeforlife91
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Post by hypeforlife91 on Dec 12, 2009 9:13:49 GMT -5
^ Lol haha. I've had a few people question my last name...one guy was like "What kind of last name is that? Is it...like..Asian?" Lol. Then of course I explained its origins to him....and the fact that I'm mixed...and he was like "oh really???"
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Post by milkman's baby on Dec 12, 2009 13:18:04 GMT -5
Just curious: do you guys live in places where people are weird/eccentric? I don't mean that as a bad thing and I realize you might not be able to answer that if you're eccentric yourself, but I've never been asked such strange questions in the Midwest. I have to wonder if maybe it's just that you guys look a little more eccentric in appearance that you get asked those questions or if it's just a regional thing and perhaps I'd be asked the same thing too if I lived where you do. Cuz seriously, that's considered very weird and kinda idiotic to ask questions like that out here.
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Post by Ganbare! on Dec 12, 2009 19:52:12 GMT -5
I think in very diverse areas people act much more cautiously (hence the typical game cruelangel was talking about) because of their inability to tell one's race and treat him/her accordingly.
The same thing happened on my trip to Switzerland, I was speaking Spanish with my latino neighbour and the clueless guy next to us asked me if I could play Pan flute ! (2nd class train seats sucks)
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