AA Attitude toward F.O.B.s | Asian American Poll

ATTITUDE TOWARD F.O.B.S
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:18:20 PM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

Assuming you are an Asian American, what's your definition of an F.O.B. ("Fresh-off-the-boat" immigrant)?
Anyone not born in the U.S. | 31%
Anyone who speaks with a noticeable accent | 30%
Anyone who acts or dresses old-country | 39%

Assuming you are an Asian American, what's your attitude toward F.O.B.s?
I am fully open to friendships/relationships with them. | 44%
I am friendly but would not want to get too close. | 41%
I generally avoid them on a social level. | 15%

Assuming you are an Asian American, what do you find most annoying about F.O.B.s?
They play into offensive stereotypes. | 15%
They are obsessed with flashy materialism. | 39%
They maintain Asian customs and values. | 0%
They are no more annoying than other AA. | 46%

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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.]

I am Candadian-born and when i speak mandarin to people from taiwan they
say i have a cute accent. I am wondering whether i really have a cute
accent or whether they are just trying not to hurt my feelings.
Hakka-man Thursday, March 14, 2002 at 08:29:19 (PST)

I really think it should be changed from F.O.B to F.O.P. (fresh off the plane). Because most of the recent arrivals from asia came by plane not by boat.
K-man Thursday, March 14, 2002 at 08:22:54 (PST)

Future Sinologist:

Hehe...

I see your point.....I agree.

Sweet...

:)

Angelique Wednesday, March 13, 2002 at 23:20:09 (PST)

AC Dropout:

That is Soooo true!!
Angelique Wednesday, March 13, 2002 at 19:22:59 (PST)

hannybunbun:

i just thought about my last post and would like to apolgize for being rude. i guess, as an asian american female, a lot of what you're going through now is what i've gone through my entire life here in america. and it has nothing to do with you; ethnocentrism can be found in people of all races. please let me explain.

"They do own the most expensive cars They do like to show-off in a very flashy , materialistic sort of way."

most people in hk, especially the older generation, did not have things easy their entire lives. they had to work hard for their money, and after attaining the wealth, they like to show it off a little. it's their pride. i don't think someone of a different culture should be so quick to criticize.

"They do not associate with any Americans, rarely speak English."

It's probably because they feel more comfortable with Chinese people. It could be that they feel embarassed speaking English because of their accents. You may not make fun of them if they attempt to speak English, but you can't blame them for feeling somewhat inferior--even if they won't admit it. remember, america was not always their home.

"My in-laws also segregate themselves, only eat Chinese food, only watch Chinese cable, and never go anyplace unless it is Cantonese related."

Would you call your parents racist if they moved to Hong Kong but enjoyed watching American soap operas and eating American food more? give them a break. they're already in a foreign environment--it's hard.

"I am told that HK girls are better and "prettier" than American girls. I am told that HK clothes are better."

This is not a wrong committed only by your in-laws. The American media has been trying to tell us that American girls are better looking--that is, until looking 'exotic' became trendy. so what if they think that way--they've been socialized to see features in h.k. girls as more attractive. big deal.

"I really want to ask her why she became a citizen if everything is better there!"

So if she doesn't buy into the "American" ways, then she should "go back to her own country." nice.

"I also think my in-laws are ridiculous when they return from a trip with a bunch of knock-off fake Luis Vitton wallets and brag about the deal they get from buying from mainland China."

It's Louis Vuitton. Anyhow, they're bragging because they feel they got a good deal, saved some money. You're going to call them ridiculous for that?

And regarding your sister in law's reception, they probably wanted to have it in a Chinese restaurant because they have Chinese friends who would appreciate that setting more and also because of tradition.

there's a general acknowledgement within the asian communities that 'respecting elders' is not as recognized a virtue within american culture as within asian cultures. i'm fairly young and therefore not nearly as traditional or old-fashioned as the older generation, but i still think you lack that respect.
penelope Wednesday, March 13, 2002 at 17:47:13 (PST)

hannybunbun:

wow. now i know what your mother in law doesn't like you.

your ethnocentrism shows in your last post.
penelope Wednesday, March 13, 2002 at 17:22:35 (PST)

Hannybunbun that's what rich people do is to showoff. I met some snobby taiwanese people too. So if you are going to generalize about some chinese people might as well generalize about all chinese people.
#41 J . A . fan hockey rules!!!!!! Wednesday, March 13, 2002 at 13:59:55 (PST)

To Hannybunbun
Stop putting the cantonese people down I know it's cool to bash them.So what if they talk loud that's how rich people are no matter who you are.Are you saying people from Taiwan are'nt as loud? Have you ever seen their government at work throwing chairs and tables at each other just because they can't agree. And one more thing Hannybunbun "Don't hate the player hate the game".
6th generation cantonese Wednesday, March 13, 2002 at 13:45:25 (PST)

"I am told that HK girls are better and "prettier" than American girls."

But they would go as far as dying their hair blonde and get surgeries to make their eyes double-lided, right? I went back to HK two years ago. I probably saw more "blonde" Chinese girls than blonde white girls in Central.

"I am told that HK clothes are better"

But they would pay exorbitant prices for American brands like DKNY, Polo or Calvin Klein, right?

I can identify with you Hannybunbun. Some of my relatives here in the US are like your in-laws. Some even greet you in Chinese when they pick up the phone.
FOP Wednesday, March 13, 2002 at 12:04:49 (PST)

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