1. Do you eat dogs?
No, I don’t eat dogs. I’ve never eaten a dog before and I never will. None of any of my family members have either. A lot of people turn to Asians when it comes to “eating dogs” because it's always on the news. BUT, what people don’t know is that countries that were recorded consuming dog meats are East and Southeast Asia, West Africa, Europe, Oceania and the Americas. That might be in ancient times, but even in the 21st century, dog meat is consumed in many parts of China, Korea and Vietnam, parts of Thailand, Switzerland, Europe, Americas, the African continent, such as Cameroon, Ghana and Liberia. But here is a fun fact for all the Americans, sausages made in 1884 were also known as “dog.” Accusations that sausage makers used dog meat date to at least 1845. Also in the late 19th century, dog meat was used as an exclusive diet because it was believed as a cure for tuberculosis. Dog meat was also used during the times of meat shortage in the early 20th century. So please, before you ask this question to Asians, be mindful.
2. You’re Chinese right?
Yes! I am Chinese, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the kids in my class are, or the person to my left/right. There are over 50 ethnic groups of Asians out there. Listing, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Mongolian, Thai, Indian, Tibet, Pakistan, Eastern Russian, Turkish, etc. the list goes on and on. But yes, I’m Chinese.
3. You’re good at math right?
Yes and no. I’ve never taken ANY AP math courses, calculus, or scored 100 on every single math test in my life. But, even if I am good at math, it’s not because I’m Asian. There are plenty of other non-Asians that are good at math. I’m actually good in History.
4. Is your vagina sideways?
No, my vagina is not sideways. I have the same female parts as any other ethnic female. But thanks for asking.
5. Can you play the piano?
No, I cannot play the piano. I can’t read notes either. The only thing I ever really knew how to play was the recorder in the third grade. "Mary Had A Little Lamb" and "Hot Cross Buns" were my jam. Some Asian cultures look at playing instruments as a must. Back in the ancient times, playing an instrument were for the “rich” or for higher statues because they were able to afford it. Also, when Asian immigrants came to the U.S, families that had a piano in their house were considered an “upstanding citizen.” It was a sign of good social standing. But it is not limited to playing the piano, it's also any other “luxury” instrument. My parents did want me to learn but I was too shy so I never played the piano.
6. What was your SAT score?
It was not a 2400 or anything above a 2000.
7. How come your English has no accent?
I was born and raised in NYC. Believe it or not, lots of Asians are born in the US! Therefore, most of them do not have accents.
8. How is your hair so straight?
Genetics.
9. Are you good at driving?
This is one of the dumbest questions I’ve ever heard in my life. Every person has to pass the road test in order to legally be on the road by themselves. Okay, some Asians might have a difficult time driving because, they might take their skills from wherever they come from and use it here. The steering wheel is on the opposite side of cars in the US. I mean, I’ve had friends who taught me how to drive when I didn’t have my permit. I drove a couple of times after that and no one died… So I guess I am?
10. Do you get straight A’s?
I never got straight As in pre-K, elementary school, middle School, high School and now, college. The majority of my grades were up there, but they were never straight As. Some Asians have it all, some don’t.
11. Do your parents own a laundry mat, nail salon and/or restaurant?
No, my parents do not own any of that stuff. They both have separate careers and work either in the city or out on Long Island. My mom can’t paint nails and neither can my father.
12. Do you get red when you drink?
No, I don’t get red when I drink.
13. Can you play ping pong?
Absolutely not, I can’t even hold the paddle properly. I have never played a real game of ping pong in my life, since I can’t even hold the paddle properly. I grew up being athletic, but ping pong was not on the list.
14. How come you’re not studying to be a doctor?
Lots of Asians are stereotyped as being a doctor, as if there is no other career left out there in the world. Personally, I don’t have the patience, discipline, time and money to be a doctor. I don’t want to spend another eight years in school after graduating undergrad and THEN start living my life in my 30s.
15. You don’t experience racism, right?
We don’t experience racism as much as the black/latin community. But that’s because there is not of spotlight on it: 1. Asian culture doesn’t advocate speaking up and 2. Because we are considered the model minority, people think that we have an Asian advantage, but there’s no advantage at all. We still have limited opportunities.
16. Why do you all look alike?
People only think we look alike because you’re not exposed as much to Asian features as much as your own kind. I mean, check this out:
17. Are Asians submissive?
No, we are not the Japanese porn stars that you watch. We are not hentai, we’re not your fantasies.
18. Why are you so Asian?
I mean, I am Asian… so what do you expect?
