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GOLDSEA |
ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
ASIAN AMERICAN CHARACTER & PERSONALITY TRAITS
o generalization does justice to the infinite variety of character types among Asian Americans. There is simply no way to distinguish us from any other American ethnic group. Really? Please move on to another page.
Let's start by acknowledging at least that in fact generalizations do exist about traits thought to be prevalent among Asian Americans.
Some are the goofy kind based entirely on media stereotypes -- passive, nerdy, diligent, sneaky, etc. Others are conclusions formed by us Asian Americans based on years of experience and observation. Who better to evaluate our traits against those of our fellow Americans? Most of us live and work side by side on a daily basis with the broadest possible spectrum of humanity. Unlike Asians across the ocean, our opinions of Whites, Blacks and Hispanics aren't based on those annoying Hollywood stereotypes. And unlike Hollywood scriptwriters, we don't see our fellow Asian Americans through the distortion of vulgar commercial motives.
So what do we know about ourselves?
We are more sensitive. We are boorish. We have more integrity. We betray one another. We are more intelligent. We are superficial. We are aggressive. We avoid confrontation. We don't yak as much. We gossip too much. We have more respect for traditional values. We only pay lip service to traditional values. We value education and cultural attainments. We only care about making money.
Who among us doesn't indulge in generalizations? Some are frivolous, some are based on insights gained from long years of experience and observation. Most remain locked up in the privacy of our own minds.
How do we Asian Americans stack up in the character and personality departments compared with our fellow Americans? Share those nuggets of wisdom and perceptive powers. What better way to improve ourselves than to start by understanding ourselves?
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Discussions posted during the past year remain available for browsing.
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:53:35 PM)
wants to know:
Your friend is right. Most Asians are reserved and do not talk to strangers at public gatherings.
I know this because I'm an AAM and I shun Asian gatherings, especially where the majority of attendees are foreign-born (in my case Koreans usually). I've spoken to strangers before at such gatherings just like I would at an "American" social gathering, and was treated like some weirdo later on. Especially if I happened to have even casual conversation with females, especially married ones, those people would treat me like some pariah.
All I would say is that I avoid Asian gatherings, clubs, etc. like a plague. I prefer the company of white people, be they American or European. Whenever I travel in the world, I make sure I stay out of Asia.
Now you people here who call me "sellout" etc., first change your attitudes and habits so life could be more fun for all of us Asians.
Glad to be an American and not just Asian
Tuesday, June 25, 2002 at 11:58:18 (PDT)
wants to know,
OK, I got it. Your friend is what they all call a "SELLOUT."
Hopefully, you (a white girl) can influence him to feel proud for what he is.
Good luck
what type of Asians?
Wednesday, May 29, 2002 at 23:31:44 (PDT)
To What type of Asians?
My friend is from Vietnam, and so was everyone else at the wedding. So I don't know why they would think he was weird. When I think of it, he acts oddly in certain situations. Like he gets embarrassed to order in a restaurant, because sometimes his accent is so heavy they don't understand him, or asking for tickets at the movies. I guess it's just him.
wants to know
Wednesday, May 29, 2002 at 10:31:35 (PDT)
Wants to know,
It seems that your friend doesn't speak the Asian language of his family very well and he's embarassed about that. Maybe he went to the reception and realized his language skills were poor or maybe he was expecting more white people to be at the reception. I think your friend is most likely I don't know how to say this without sounding mean...but...um "whitewashed"? Maybe he feels bad for being whitewashed. I'm only saying this because I used to be kind of like that. I was afraid of being around other Asians because they reminded me of how detached I had become from my fanily's heritage so I felt embarassed and avoided them. Sad but true.
Former Twinkie
Tuesday, May 28, 2002 at 20:15:07 (PDT)
wants to know,
You failed to tell whether the guests at the wedding were American born Asians or immigrants.
If I was in an environ where almost everyone was an Asian-American, I'd have the most easiest time making new friends, because we can talk the same talk and share similar topics to discuss.
But, if I were among a bunch of Asians from Asia with little English skills, I'd be lost. And, those Asians from Asia don't take it too well when an Asian-American converse with them in English (they expect us to know Chinese or else we are seen as selling out). They have condescending views of Asians born or grown up in the USA.
But, lately I've noticed that I do and can converse with Asians from Asia (esp. those highly educated ones from Taiwan and Hong Kong). Most of them are in their 40s+ though. The young Asian FOBs (my peers), I just can't approach.
what type of Asians?
Monday, May 27, 2002 at 20:34:13 (PDT)
WANTS TO KNOW:
No this is not true! I am an AM and I am pretty outgoing. If I attend a formal occasion or event, especially if I had to fly there, I would try to mingle and conversate. Keep in mind though it might not be the greatest of conversations at that particular gathering but I would find something to talk about with someone. Sheeesh!! I think your friend is being overly shy and timid.
Viet guy in Houston
Saturday, May 25, 2002 at 09:57:05 (PDT)
Perhaps he is kind of shy, or as "Larrri Kong" posted, he is worried about "face" too much. My husband is outgoing and has alot of friends, but almost all of them are from college and work. When we go places sometimes, he will see me talk to strangers, and at times he will think it is really funny and a bit odd that I gave a person I don't know a compliment or say hi to a neighbor I really don't know or etc... he always asks the same question to me which is "Do you know them? and "Then why did you wave at them?" hehehe. Did your friend grow up here and how is his English? Maybe he has been made fun of by groups of people before
Hannybunbun
Friday, May 24, 2002 at 10:33:43 (PDT)
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