Leading Bi-Cultural Lives | Asian American Poll

LEADING BI-CULTURAL LIVES
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:24:39 PM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

Is it possible to embrace both American and Asian cultures and find social acceptance with both Americanized and non-Americanized groups of friends?
Yes | 77%
No | 23%

Which of the following factors is most important in facilitating a successful bi-cultural life?
Familitarity with both cultures | 32%
Family upbringing | 28%
Fluency in both languages | 16%
Security in one's identity | 24%

Which of the following factors most discourages bi-cultural lives for U.S.-raised Asian Americans?
Inability to speak Asian languages | 28%
Outmarriage to non-Asians | 14%
Fear of seeming too Asian | 30%
Concern for kids' image with peers | 28%

Which segment of the Asian American population currently has the greatest positive impact on American society?
American-Born | 56%
Foreign-born, American-educated | 44%

This poll is closed to new input.
Comments posted during the past year remain available for browsing.

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WHAT YOU SAY

[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]

Wait a minute. What's so offensive about the word "Oriental?" It's not like the N word or anything. It comes from the word oriented, which means headed toward a particular direction, which in Europe led them to the East, hence ORIENT. People who live in the Orient are... duh! ORIENTALS!

How is that any more offensive than Asians? And don't give me that stupid spew about Oriental rugs, and how the word is used to describe objects. So, when is the last time you rode in an Oriental car?! I think people refer to Japanese and Korean cars as Asian.

People use American to describe anything American - cars, beer, people. The same thing applies to ORIENTAL.
Toi San Jai Eric@KristinKreuk.net

To Ac Dropout

No, i havent dated an FOB and this is the last thing on my mind. THe main reason is the language barrier- i couldnt ever date anyone ( not just Chinese, i mean anyone of any race) who is having trouble with speaking Enlgish fluently and cant express themselves properly. ALso as i mentioned the FOBs over here in UK are into really childish and embarassing things such as karaoke, gadgets, computers, things which 13 years olds are into, which is nerdy and rather embarassing. The worst is the computer arcade games which the Asian guys who are 24 years old still play and look like idiots.

As i said, i do have an open mind but what gets me about FOBS is that they thelseves are so close minded. THeir conversation with me starts off with
" so, do you speak Cantonese?"

And when i say no, or a little, they turn their backs and snub me. They then form HK groups and only associate with themelves, speaking Canto real loud and have their mobile phones flashing all the time.

Sorry, but this is my opinion and my experiences with FOBs, and therefore the close friends i do have are BBCs (british born Chinese) or Cacucasian.

Interesting about your year abroad in Asia. To be honest, i have thought about doing this as well, to find my own identity and leanr something about myself. I have visited S'pore and Malaysia several times ( my parents Chinese- Malaysian) but what id love to do is go to China, since my roots are Chinese and this is where my grandparents come from. I would love ot have gone on a school exhcnage thing but now ive grad from law school and working in London- i guess the only option for me is to do a backpacking trip of some sort. Kepp you posted.

Lastly: I just came back from Croatia and i got to tell you- guys over there have Asian fetish galore. I went with my sister, and all they ask us is if we were from Japan or Korea. Guys stared at us, and their eyes followed us everywhere- we got asked out for coffee, guys would stop and talk to us.....on our last night in Croatia, three young guys, about 21,22 years old all stopped to talk to us, and thei mates joined thenm, suddenly there was 2 of us Asian girls surrounded by about 25 Croatian guys- yep- it became like a spectacle for them.

One 21 year old Croatian guy admitted that this was the first time he has talked to an Asian girl in his life. The guys wrent threatening in any way, just merely fascinated, as they are from a war torn country which havent seen many Asians, esp English speaking ones.

Cheers. Jade
to AC dropout jadechow77@hotmail.com

To Glazed

Sorry if i offended you about using the term Orientals. In London we refer to Asians as Indian, Bangladesh and Pakistani descent. Oriental is those of the EAst ( Chinese/ Japense/ Korean etc)
Im used to this since this is how we are categorsied in the United Kingdom however i understand this is not so in the States.

Jade
to Glazed

Biculturalism is needed in this modern age of Gen. Xers.

People are too consumed with the fast life, independence and shallow meanings of life.

Many young and educated whites are increasingly turning to eastern philosophy and religions to fulfill their spiritual and moral void.

Why can't we as Asian Americans do the same, since we have a head start in being born with exposure to it?
where east meets west

Jade Chow, thank god you're not lucy liu. Personally, though I believe she's a charismatic actress, I think she's rather unattractive hehehee...
Kevin Yang
Kevin Yang

First off Jade, quit using the word "Orientals." Oriental is a very offensive word, especially used in the context of people. Second, when did karaoke become nerdy Asian things? How hip are you? I love Asia and when I go there, I got on crazy shopping sprees. When I go back to the U.S., so many people ask me where I get all the cute stuff at because they can't find it in the states...much less London.
glazed

Jade,

Quick question. Have you ever dated an FOB?

If you view the things they enjoy, such as karoke, pool/billards, fashion and bowling as nerdy or weird of course they will estrange you.

For someone that proclaims keeping an open mind you're starting off on the wrong foot.

Language sounds like the issue here. I remember the first time I landed in Asia to study. I felt like an immigrant again not being able to communicate fully. I hung out with other American ex-pat for a while. Then I said to myself "why did I spent $4,000 USD for tuition and a plane ticket again this summer."
Granted because of my Asian looks I could get into the culture faster.

After the summer the Americans were still hangout at the westernized pubs and planning hiking trips across the country. Which to the natives was considered weird.

You sound pretty cool. I recommend you travel across Asia or something.

I remember once in college a Chinese class was holding a conversation on "American-Chinese" or "Chinese-American." There was this fluent Chinese girl who said "We are American to add all this prefix/suffix stuff is nonsense." She was a political science major so I thought she was white-washed and trying to start her political career.

But as my Chinese skills improved. I began to see where the girl was coming from. As I was able take in the culture in asia on my own, without translations or third party guidence. My asian self identity was no longer threatened. Chinese people will not see me as Chinese-American or Chinese. I am an overseas Chinese to them or simply an American.

Everyone in the USA when they see me will know I'm Asian. So there is no point in putting Chinese-American as an identifier. I'm just another American.

Like you said "Know yourself," so once an individual has come to terms with their identity, bi-culturism and fitting in will not be an issue.

Last thing...I once met someone that told me we are all going to get old, ugly, and die. Just find someone you will enjoy getting old and ugly with. And cherish every moment with them before you die.

So starting out beautiful and handsome is a plus, but it doesn't delay the inevitable any longer.

AC dropout

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