[maharu.]

First of all, this idea's been bothering me for a while.

I see like posts/topics that often complain how people dislike being called another Asian ethnicity.
I have been told "Are you Korean?" When I was reading something Japanese and I simply kindly said, "Oh no, its Japanese^^."

Sometimes I do take it into offense because I believe every Asian ethnicity is different on their own...culture, food, background, history...

But isn't it ironic that people would complain about how they are told that they are a different ethnicity but when it comes down to other ethnicities, they don't know the difference?

So for example:

I have trouble identifying the difference between Latino/Hispanic people.
I accidentally call someone Mexican and well that person starts complaining how they are Guatemalan, Salvadorian, and so on and so forth.
And I said that to my parents and my mother actually told me, "Now don't you understand how it feels when a American person tells you, oh are you Chinese because you do the same thing."
It made me realize how ignorant other races can be with each other.

So...:

In truth, who has done something similar to this or have found it odd that Asians complain about being treated that way but...don't they do it also?
When doing that or when finding it odd...did you notice something that you may have haven't noticed before?


I just wanted to ask those questions and see if anyone else has experienced or thought of this kind of situation or possibility.
Sorry if this is a weird topic, I just wanted to ask for opinions...

[xCATHY]

i dont really care, i mean, how can everyone know what ethnicity you are straight away?
however, if someone were in guatemala and asked a native there if they were mexican then that would be dumb D:

[chocopocky]

I agree with you.

Everyone can be little bit ignorant and hypocritical at times. Sometimes, we don't even realize that we're doing it.

Learning from that experience, at least you were able to understand how it felt! That's a good thing.

[sunmoon]

i think you are a bit confused?

of course asians and everyone else (say hispanics) get confused about trying to identify precisely which type of asian or hispanic or european they are. asian complain about it. hispanics complain about it too. it doesn't make asians any worse just because they make the same mistake.

[daehanminguk1345]

Ever since I realized that a few years ago, I became more careful with how I approached someone about their ethnicity (I don't do it often, anyway, but when I get curious, I'll ask them what their nationality is instead of suggesting one to them).

[CitrusFlower]

Oh god yes! Asians get so mad when people mistaken them for chinese but I bet they can't tell europeans or apart and they're over here complaining If someone mistake your ethnic just kindly say No I'm ___ don't get all mad cuz you know you can't tell the other ethnic apart either

[~ BunnyliciouS ~]

yeah, I've always wondered why people always complain about it,
I always take it as a compliment, 'cuz it means I don't have the typical & common Chinese face.

[tofu plushie]

Lol I was thinking about this topic the other day. I guess people are mad because instead of asked "what is your ethnicity?" they confronted with question for example like "are you chinese? you look like you're chinese." it might feel offensive to the person because the other person is just assuming their ethnicity. I think overall it is better to ask someone their ethnicity because they might get offended if you just randomly guess lol.

But, at the same time I don't think people should flip out if some assumed you were [insert ethnicity]. People can never guess my ethnicity correctly and it doesn't bother me, I just feel amused and I correct them

[towkekon]

I don't know when and where and how RACE becomes an integral part of a conversation and how it always has to be dealt with so weirdly.

How about just asking the person, " So where you from originally ? " - not clear ... , "So, you're a native of " or " you're folks are from ? " etc. etc.

I guess that should do the trick, its better than asserting your half knowledge firsthand and then feeling bad about it later. I have never felt uncomfortable with the race question. Its how you handle it , make sure you set an example for others, they will definitely follow cue.

Sweeping generalizations are just sometimes plain ignorance and sometimes just genuine mistakes caused by the "slip of the tongue" phenomenon that has taken the world by storm ...

In both cases offense need not be taken, just either correct the person nicely or feel sorry for them (ignorance).

[--hearts.]

I'm glad to even be Asian at all and I think it's cool when people mistaken me for another form of Asian. That means you can always blend in if you need to.

[Antz]

well. yeah.
that's why i say "where abouts are you from?" and stuffs.

[miss-username]

I'm Hmong and not a lot of people don't know what or who the Hmong people are. So I have fun and claim to be from a different Ethnic group to save myself from explain who the Hmong people are.

The bad thing, I get tan very easily (plus I live in Florida so I can't avoid getting not getting very tan) and I do get mistaken for a Mexican. And I hate it when anyone treats me as a Mexican who can't speak English.

[angelcadex]

Meh I guess. People just need to be more cultured is all.
Once you're exposed to more people I think it gets easier.
I think its a good trick being able to tell what someone's ethnicity is lol.
It gets hard with white people @.@
But their name gives it away...sometimes.

[neshpa]

I don't really care if someone mistakes me for another ethnicity. I just kindly correct them. And I expect the same from them.

[StupidSnow]

im dumb and im not capable of answering such a smart question
so im going to reply with something totally pointless
























OH BOY

[Angxizzle]

yes that's life. the world is full of people like that sadly.
it's funny how someone yells about how they are being
treated and then they treat someone esle like that & dont care.

[smile-jw]

YES YES YES.

Asians shouldnt get all offended just because people call them chinese. Just correct them, simple as that.

[rufflezz]

I'm glad to even be Asian at all and I think it's cool when people mistaken me for another form of Asian. That means you can always blend in if you need to.

But, but I mean wouldn't you just rather have other people recognize who you really are? I try to avoid people by going to them and asking what they are, since some of them might get a bit weird. If I do ask them, I'll just ask "What's your ethnicity?" and so forth.

[rectitude*]

well, in my area....there's like a lot of hmong people
so they don't mistake me for being another race really...
even if they do i don't care i just correct them.

[Apple.Mint]

lol you're right
it's very true
it's like a lot of asian get offended when people can't tell their difference [ i've seen a lot of that, not stereotyping here]
and yeah, but i'don't mind though
i like how they guess wrong xD it's hilarious