Tag Archives: Asian

Please Excuse My English

04 Wednesday Sep 2013

Posted by in (A)musing, Being Asian

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I’ve met quite a few people who aren’t familiar with Asians. I know it’s not just me…the Husband once told me about how he had visited Korea about 15 years ago and he brought back Korean cigarettes. He was smoking them at a bar and a woman noticed they didn’t look like the ones she usually saw around New York City, so she asked where he got them. When he told her Korea, she had no idea what he was talking about. He tried to explain Korea is a country in Asia near China and Japan, but she still didn’t get it.

I live in an area where there aren’t many Asians, much less Koreans, but a few weeks ago I went to a local nail salon that are run by Koreans. I know the employees were pretty surprised to find out that I was Korean, but I think they were pretty excited because they kept asking me questions in Korean, like how long I’ve been living in the US and if I live nearby. Since my Korean isn’t that great, I answered in English. One of them commented that I spoke English well and asked, “Are you adopted?”

So just because I’m not bilingual, they assumed I must have been raised by non-Koreans.

When he heard this story, my white brother-in-law asked, “So Koreans are ignorant about each other too?”

Yes…yes we are.

“Where are you REALLY from?”

26 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by in (A)musing, Being Asian

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Being Asian, specifically Korean, I get that question a lot. I know that people are just curious and I don’t mind if you ask, but I do mind when you follow up with something like, “But your English is so good!” or a badly accented “Ahn yeong ha say yo!”

I don’t expect you to have extensive knowledge about Asians, but I’m still surprised at how people can still be pretty ignorant. Example: I was at an office holiday party a few years ago and we had invited a few other departments. I happened to wander over to a co-worker (who I’ll call MP) talking to a new employee I hadn’t yet met. I don’t remember the new guy’s name, but I’ll just assume it’s Jeremy, because I recall thinking he looks like he would be a Jeremy.

Me: Hi, I’m Jane.
Jeremy: Nice to meet you. So, where are you from?
Me (a little confused by the question): I live in Queens.
Jeremy: No, I mean, where are you REALLY from?
Me (finally getting it): Oh, I’m from Korea.
Jeremy (starts to look interested): North or South?
Me (laughing a little): South Korea.
Jeremy: Are you sure?

Wait, really? You actually think I don’t know where I come from?

Me: Very sure. But trust me, your chances of ever meeting anyone from North Korea are VERY slim.
Jeremy: I knew a Korean girl when I lived in Chicago

Okay, this is another one people used to say to me pretty often. “I know a Korean person when I lived in [insert location here]. Maybe you knew them?” Unless that person lived in NYC, went to school with me, and was in my year, it’s highly likely the answer is no.

Me: Oh, that’s nice.
Jeremy: Her name is Jenny Kim. Maybe you knew her?

For those of you who might not realize this, Jenny Kim to Koreans is the equivalent to Jane Smith to Americans. I knew two people who used to live in Chicago, but it’s safe to say they’re not Jenny Kim, because one is a Christine and the other is a Suzannah.

Me: I’m pretty sure I don’t know her. Oh, have you met Jennifer? She’s Korean too.

So yeah, I pushed this guy off onto another co-worker. I found MP later and told him, “You know, that guy Jeremy is a little on the weird side?” MP’s answer nearly made me fall out of my chair: “I know. I couldn’t take it anymore so that”s why I pawned him off onto you.”