natwilliams Posted November 12, 2012 Posted November 12, 2012 If you are talking to an Asian woman on a first encounter and guess that she is say Japanese when in fact she is of another Asian nationality, is this really bad? I made this mistake the other day and the girl smiled walking away, but I couldn't tell if she was smiling like "you idiot" or didn't really care. Maybe I should've said "You're beautiful though, may I ask what is your ancestry?"
charlietheginger Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 I had a asian women call me a mongrel once.. I have attached earlobes no earlobe at all She saw these and said i have asian ears Then called me a mongrel Meaning mixed breed dog...
OompaLoompa Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 If you are talking to an Asian woman on a first encounter and guess that she is say Japanese when in fact she is of another Asian nationality, is this really bad? I made this mistake the other day and the girl smiled walking away, but I couldn't tell if she was smiling like "you idiot" or didn't really care. Maybe I should've said "You're beautiful though, may I ask what is your ancestry?" Assuming that you can at least tell the difference between southeast asian and east asian women, MOST (if not all) Korean and Japanese girls will take it quite offensive if you guess them as Chinese. I think it is always better to just ask than to guess. 1
Imported Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 If you had confused Vietnamese with Thai's, I could understand, but Japanese look completely different then all other Asians.
FitChick Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 As much as whites are accused of racism, the various Asian groups seem to discriminate against each other. The Chinese hate the Japanese because of war atrocities. A Chinese friend hates Koreans and says they are ugly. Most whites can't tell the difference, frankly. I've noticed that most Chinese and Koreans are bigger than Japanese, Vietnamese and Thai, who seem rather delicate in comparison. 1
january2011 Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 I think the answer to this question is a matter of personal opinion. Some people will be offended and others won't be, based on their own personal history with ethnicity and how people react to it, and them. Some might be offended if you ask as they might get asked that question a lot and they're sick of their ethnicity being brought up in every introductory conversation. Especially if they were born in that country and have tried to integrate themselves into the predominant culture rather than the culture aligned with their ethnic origins. If she says she's American, she's probably going to be very annoyed if you follow up with, "no, but where are you really from?"** or "where are your parents from?" or "where were you born?" Going to the extreme, it can sometimes be taken as questioning her immigration status and/or making her feel like she, "doesn't belong here." And jumping off OompaLoompa's post, due to the Japanese-Chinese age-old animosity, Chinese people might get offended if you guess that they are Japanese. I'd suggest that you find something else to talk about unless she brings it up herself. Otherwise, if you are caucasian, your questioning along this vein could also come across as very "Asian fetish." **http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/carolyn-hax-tired-of-being-asked-no-where-are-you-really-from/2012/02/15/gIQAihTpgR_story.html
lovebug1234 Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 honestly, this really annoys me, on so many levels.
Citizen Erased Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 Do you ask white women what part of Europe they come from? I don't even know why you would be guessing. 2
Pyro Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 Ask her where she is from and don't just assume. No one can get mad over that.
taiko Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 If you are talking to an Asian woman on a first encounter and guess that she is say Japanese when in fact she is of another Asian nationality, is this really bad? I made this mistake the other day and the girl smiled walking away, but I couldn't tell if she was smiling like "you idiot" or didn't really care. Maybe I should've said "You're beautiful though, may I ask what is your ancestry?" It depends if you are in Little Saigon and guess Vietnamese probably no harm no foul. If you are in a mixed community and mistake Koreans for Japanese for some its almost like fighting words although these days the person is liable to have parents of Korean and a Japanese heritage. If you are Filipino you often don't know what to do when the Mexican immigrant assumes that you are one of them. Because of what Imperial Japan did to the grandparents and great grandparents of most other Asian ethnicities outside of a Little Tokyo unless I hear a Japanese name or see traditional japanese dress it would be my last guess. The Chinese having immigrant communities in most other Asian nations would be the safest default guess
CptObvious Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 You'd have better odds telling apart twins. Literally.
Imported Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 You'd have better odds telling apart twins. Literally. Yes, just like you can't tell the difference between a Swede and an Irish person. Thanks for not even trying.
EasyHeart Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 I try to stick to non-controversial topics, like how much everyone hates the Irish.
dasein Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 The safer assumption is that any woman you see in the U.S. is probably an American, and save ethnicity talks based on physical features for after several dates, if ever.
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