Me no speak english.
Currently listening to: 'Hotel California' - The Eagles.
Yes, I am Chinese. Does that mean I am suposed to fit into the sterotype?
I went clubbing for a friends 24th birthday. I haven't been to a club in a long time, and while I was there I found myself being 'obliged' to talk to a stranger. Now those of you who know me know that I dont really take well to talking to complete strangers - especially in a club situation. But here I was talking to some strange guy after he approached me. What got me is that because I am asian he assumed I was an international student. He asked me what my name was, and when I said "Anna." he went on to comment on how 'western' my name is, as if he expected me to say my name is 'Mai-Ling'. He then proceeded to ask me if I liked 'australian' music. Silly me, I thought by australian he meant Jimmy Barnes or John Farnham - so I said "No." He goes "Oh you like canto pop?". I reply: "Err, no I'm into alternative and rock." He just stared at me trying to contain his surprise. He then, in an attempt to relate to my asian background went on to tell me how much he enjoyed karate. I smiled and acted interested. He picked a tough cookie.
The next night at a pub, one of my few asian girl friends and I were chatting at the bar when the bar maid came up to us and asked us what we were drinking as 'someone' across from the bar wanted to buy us a drink. We were drinking water - so we declined. We looked across the bar to see who it was and it was a guy who was at least 40 years old. We quickly shuffled away out of sight.
Feeling kind of dirty and gross, it got us talking. Why did a 40 year old man want to buy us drinks? One thing we discussed is the idea that alot of older men think that because we are 'asian' in Australia we must be in search of a green card. So therefore, white australian man + asian chick wanting a ticket to stay in the country seems like a perfect match. I guess he thought he would start this match made in heaven with a drink. Either that or he thought we were thai prostitutes.
Its not always like that when I go out, but when people are culturally ignorant it really gets to me. A pet peeve, call it what you want - its annoying. And considering 70% of Australias are mostly second to fourth generation you'ld think people would be a bit more considerate.
I think the next time someone I dont know starts talking to me about karate out of left field because I look asian I am going to be tempted to tell them I am aboriginal.
Yes, I am Chinese. Does that mean I am suposed to fit into the sterotype?
I went clubbing for a friends 24th birthday. I haven't been to a club in a long time, and while I was there I found myself being 'obliged' to talk to a stranger. Now those of you who know me know that I dont really take well to talking to complete strangers - especially in a club situation. But here I was talking to some strange guy after he approached me. What got me is that because I am asian he assumed I was an international student. He asked me what my name was, and when I said "Anna." he went on to comment on how 'western' my name is, as if he expected me to say my name is 'Mai-Ling'. He then proceeded to ask me if I liked 'australian' music. Silly me, I thought by australian he meant Jimmy Barnes or John Farnham - so I said "No." He goes "Oh you like canto pop?". I reply: "Err, no I'm into alternative and rock." He just stared at me trying to contain his surprise. He then, in an attempt to relate to my asian background went on to tell me how much he enjoyed karate. I smiled and acted interested. He picked a tough cookie.
The next night at a pub, one of my few asian girl friends and I were chatting at the bar when the bar maid came up to us and asked us what we were drinking as 'someone' across from the bar wanted to buy us a drink. We were drinking water - so we declined. We looked across the bar to see who it was and it was a guy who was at least 40 years old. We quickly shuffled away out of sight.
Feeling kind of dirty and gross, it got us talking. Why did a 40 year old man want to buy us drinks? One thing we discussed is the idea that alot of older men think that because we are 'asian' in Australia we must be in search of a green card. So therefore, white australian man + asian chick wanting a ticket to stay in the country seems like a perfect match. I guess he thought he would start this match made in heaven with a drink. Either that or he thought we were thai prostitutes.
Its not always like that when I go out, but when people are culturally ignorant it really gets to me. A pet peeve, call it what you want - its annoying. And considering 70% of Australias are mostly second to fourth generation you'ld think people would be a bit more considerate.
I think the next time someone I dont know starts talking to me about karate out of left field because I look asian I am going to be tempted to tell them I am aboriginal.
