As I have grown up, I have found there are several ups and downs to being Asian. There are many stereotypes applied to me and many physical features of being Asian that have created habits and common occurrences. There have been multiple occasions where I find myself saying #asianproblems or making "Asian jokes." Being an Asian automatically includes you in a certain society of the Asians. So I am going to point out a few stereotypes of this society and weigh in, you know, since I have the credibility.

Asians are bad drivers.

Asians are really smart and good at math.

This is one stereotype I wish were true. As much as I would love to say I am a genius and naturally good at math, I'm afraid I don't follow this stereotype. I feel a bit like I'm being ripped off. But there's the truth, so don't ask me to do your math homework for you, or any homework for you for that matter. It might be in your best interest to avoid asking me any questions about it, too.

Other Asians assume I speak Chinese.

Many times when I go to get Chinese food the workers there will be Asian. They will smile at me and be very welcoming--you know, because I'm part of the Asian club, too--and then they will start talking a million miles an hour in Chinese, Japanese, or whatever Asian language they're speaking. First, I stand there completely stupefied and confused. Then I panic and my face is like that of a deer in the road when a car is about to hit it, much like the image below.

My mind goes through several thoughts in one second, "what in the world are they saying!? What do I say?! Why are they speaking a foreign language at me?" Eventually I end up sputtering out something unintelligent sounding such as "uhhhhhhm....I....I don't...ummm. You speak English?" Then they say, "You no speak (insert language)???" Then we exchange awkward smiles when they realize I don't and they just assumed I did because I was Asian. Happens quite frequently, actually.

"Lee! Hey Lee! I...oh...sorry...I thought you were someone else."

I'm sure everyone has had that moment when they call out to somebody thinking they are someone else. I definitely have. Awk. I find, however, that this happens quite more frequently with Asians, because yes, many of us do look very similar from far away. I myself have been called out to several times by people I have never met. It's kind of amusing watching their reactions when they realize they've done something embarrassing.

"My eyes look so small in this picture!"

Yup. A typical Asian feature is small eyes, or "almond eyes" as others like to say. Some individuals don't mind having this feature, but I know that personally it is something I am very self conscious of. One morning after i woke up my friends mom was like, "Ohhh, look how small your eyes are! You're so tired!" And I remember my friend saying, "MOM you can't say that to an Asian!" And I sat there with a horrified expression. Just don't tell a self-conscious Asian their eyes look small unless you say they it's cute or that you like it.

And no, I am not constantly glaring at you, nor am I sleeping.

But I am not saying small eyes are necessarily a bad thing! I mean look at this adorableness:

Flat face

To go along with the small eyes, most of us have pretty flat faces, as well as flat noses. I know I have problems keeping my glasses up because my nose won't hold them up. It's because I'm Asian, obviously.

Yellow undertone

My friends like to make a lot of jokes about me being yellow. Because i'm Asian. Which IS NOT TRUE. I am pink, not yellow!!! For some reason, this drives me absolutely insane.

Asians eat a lot of ramen.

FALSE. Well. For some people. Not for me, I follow this stereotype to the T. Ramen is my favorite, especially spicy ramen. Mmmm, the best.

Asian jokes

Are my absolute favorite. Some may get offended by these jokes, but I find them hilarious. Here's one of my favorites: How do Asians name their babies? They throw a cooking pan down the stairs and name it after the sound--CHING TING PONG.

We age pretty well.

Who knows if this is true. I know people will think I am 16 until I am at least 30, so it must be partially true right?

Being racially connected to Mulan

Mulan is one of the best Disney movies ever produced and I absolutely love it. Mulan kicks butt all the time and she saved China. Yup. She was Asian. Sometimes I like to tell myself I am essentially on the same level as Mulan to make myself feel better about things.

The Asian glow

I have plenty of a\Asian friends who drink and five minutes later they resemble a tomato. The lovely Asian glow: Nothing can beat it.

Last but not least

ASIANS STICK TOGETHER

I don't know if this is an actual thing, but with my life experiences it seems as if Asians really are part of one community and we all recognize it. I tend to make more Asian friends than white friends. I always joke around that Asians are naturally attracted to each other, but hey, maybe it's true. But I do have a solid Asian community who will always sit and talk with me about, well, being Asian. What more could I need?