If you’re Asian, you’ve probably heard it all before. Ask any Asian friend and they’ll tell you about the long list of misconceptions people of other races have of them. When non-Asians meet Asians, the first thing many of them ask is “What grade did you get?”, or “Do you only eat rice and curry?”
The truth is, there are prejudices surrounding Asians that are pervasive and go unchallenged. But if you look closely, you’ll see that Asians are pretty much the same as every other race out there. Yes, we do love rice, but it’s not the only thing we eat; and yes, we’re focused on our education, but that doesn’t mean we’re a bunch of nerds. So with that in mind, here’s a list of 6 things Asians are tired of hearing non-Asians say.
“What Did You Get For Maths?”
Asian cultures and societies place a high value on education, which may be why Asian kids perform well academically. However, this suggests that maths prowess is the only skill we possess. The saying “B+ is an Asian F” is a running joke, but the reality is that many Asian students feel pressure to live up to the stereotype, which causes stress and strain. However, besides maths, some Asians are good at other subjects too. So, don’t be quick to label them math nerds.
“You Look So Young”
Sure, having good genes can help you when you are 80 and still appear young – but most Asian women find this remark offensive, especially in a professional context. When strangers keep assuming your age and say things like “OMG you don’t look 30!,” it can be quite awkward. Of course, it can be a praise occasionally, but hearing it too frequently becomes grating.
“You Guys Eat Dogs & Bats Right?”
OK, hold up. Where did that come from? While it’s true that a small minority of Asians in remote locations consume canines, felines and sometimes bats on rare occasions, different societies have different ideas of what constitutes an edible animal, a working animal, or a pet. But again – the practice of eating pets and exotic wildlife is vanishingly rare, as attitudes towards animals, and the rise in prominence of conservation campaigns change perceptions.
“Sports? You’re Probably Only Good In Martial Arts”
The stereotyped roles that Asians are given in Hollywood and the mainstream media are largely to blame for this fallacy. Asians can be tough and attractive, as seen by the rise of Asian actors in blockbuster action films like Karate Kid, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and many others. But it has been difficult to forge a new identity in their wake. Asians are more than simply martial artists – look at our very own athletes and how good they are in sports like badminton, diving, cycling, bowling and more to see that we’ve got a wide repertoire.
Pointing Out The “Asian Glow”
You’ve probably noticed an Asian friend’s facial flush as a result of drinking alcohol. The blood vessels enlarge and turn red in certain people’s faces and bodies because they are unable to break down an enzyme adequately. When there is peer pressure to drink socially in college, it can be embarrassing and frustrating. Please refrain from bringing it up and drawing more attention to your Asian friend in order to do them a favour. Don’t even attempt to downplay it by calling it cute. We know it’s not, and it hurts!
“You All Look The Same”
Not all Asians have the same face traits, and not all Asians have the monolid eye. Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese, Indonesians, and Filipinos all have unique facial features. Asians with double eyelids include some Japanese and Filipinos. Additionally, not all Asians have the same appearance; not all of us on the street resemble Bruce Lee or Fan Bing Bing. Furthermore, not every Asian person speaks the same mother tongue. As was previously said, there are various Asian communities that speak various languages.
