Asian Life in San Francisco | Asian American Poll

ASIAN LIFE IN SAN FRANCISCO
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:09:07 PM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

Which San Francisco Bay area offers the best environment for Asian Americans?
Downtown SF | 47%
East Bay | 31%
Marin County | 8%
South San Francisco | 14%

What's the best thing about living in the San Francisco Bay area?
Breathtaking Scenic Beauty | 40%
Clean Air | 19%
Lots of Fine Chinese Restaurants | 15%
Asians Everywhere | 18%
Great Universities, Skiing and Wine | 8%

What's the worst thing about living in the San Francisco Bay area?
No Summer Weather | 12%
Perpetual Gridlock | 40%
Too Crowded with Asians | 1%
Shortage of Decent Housing | 47%

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.]

HK people speak manadarin? That's a joke
Am islander Saturday, June 01, 2002 at 19:48:20 (PDT)

"the rivalry between hong kongers and taiwanese people is based on something much greater than girls and money."

Are you referring to the people actually in Taiwan and HK or between the groups in America? In America, it's all about the Benjamins. Like my man, Biggie Smalls said, "Money, hoes, and clothes... all HK and Taiwanese people know." haha

i'm talking about here. it has everything to do with who my cantonese and taiwanese friends choose to date. it's based on what their parents have told them about the other group, etc.
penelope Saturday, June 01, 2002 at 16:27:23 (PDT)

LSD,

I don't really know about rivaly between HK and Taiwan immigrants. The older generation always bitch about something, it mostly nonsense and a form of Chinese culture.

But in my generation I know so many HK males with Taiwan females, or HK females with Taiwan males, it not funny.

Most in this crowd are fluent in Mandarin in Cantonese. But their English are not up to par. It's an FOB only type of crowd.
AC Dropout Friday, May 31, 2002 at 14:13:54 (PDT)

AC,

Yeah I know. The food and restaurant industry is very competitive. You have to determine what kind of food you want to serve and the location. It's very risky! In order to survive, the food must be tasty and reasonable. Some people can get away with these 2 requirements. The exceptions are

1) Chinese take outs and fast food joints that are located in poor neighborhoods. Although there is competition, you don't have to serve exceptionally good food. Factors that determine survival are low prices, and a few items on your menu that will bring in profits. Downside: Low profits.

2) Pricey restaurants that cater a specific group of people. There is less competition between pricey restuarants because of their exclusiveness. In order for these places to survive, food MUST be good. People pay a hefty sum for the food so they expect it to be tasty. Downside: In good times you survive, in bad times, you may be out of business.

3) Restaurants that cater only to tourists. The food must be special and tasty.If not,it should be located in a tourist area. Downside: You lose business when there are no tourists. Ex. SF's Chinese restaurants are tourist attractions.

I think franchises stay longer than regular restuarants and eateries. There are more regular restaurants that go out of business.

In these bad times, it's good to start a novelty franchise. Ex. Restaurants that serve franchised sushi or Asian food. Another idea is to introduce trends from one area to another. Ex. KKs or Pearl Tea Cafes in White neighborhoods.

For Asian Franchise owners, it would be profitable to own a Western Franchise with an Asian touch. For example, there is a NYC Star Bucks in Chinatown with a "Chinese" feel to it. I think it serves pearl tea in addition to coffees. You could have a Mc Donald's that serves teriyaki beef burgers and chicken nuggets with a special Asian sauce.

You could also introduce an Asian Franchise to westerners as well.You could have a bakery that serves Asian style pastries, The famous "Tai Pan" Bakery could possibly cater to westerners in a non-Asian neighborhood.

This concept of East meets West is similar to the concept of Japanese products. Japanese bubble gum, candy, chips, cartoons, and toys.etc..

LSD Friday, May 31, 2002 at 13:50:58 (PDT)

Yeah, Taiwanese are competing with HK'ers for control of retail outlets, restaurants, etc. Out in CA, most of the more modern Asian strip malls are actually opened by Taiwanese developers, but are mostly occupied by HK stores. For instance, Milpitas Square is anchored by Ranch 99, a Taiwanese owned chain, yet has many HK restaurants, like Mayflower. Most of the other restaurants in there are Cantonese cuisine, with some Northern, Japanese, Thai, and bubble tea shops mixed in.

Speaking of which, Taiwanese people did invent bubble tea, so that is one way they are infiltrating the communities, by opening up all those shops.

Taiwanese are also far more cliquish than HK'ers. Though my observation, HK'ers get along with "the man" and other races better. This can be due to the fact that their English is better, and because their colony was under the control of white people. Also, since HK is an international commerce destination, people there see other races, be it other Asian, or white, every day.

I do like the Mandarin language, however. I think it is very pleasant. Northern Mainlanders are cool with me. It's just Taiwanese who have the attitude. Like LSD said, they have some kind of complex.

One more thing... no matter how hard Mandarins and Taiwanese try, America will always consider Chinese people to be Cantonese and HK. When they think of Chinese food, they think of chow mein and fried rice. When they see new year's and grand opening celebrations, they see the southern lions, not the Barkley from Sesame Street northern lions. When they see Chinese movies, they are mostly in Cantonese. When they are taught Chinese words, they are always taught Cantonese, such as "gung hay fat choy.

Also, HK triads are WAY more powerful than Taiwanese triads. We all know how much power the mafia has over everything.

I can speak some half way decent Mandarin. This is all I have to say. "Wo bu xi huan tai wan nu ren."
TSJ Eric@KristinKreuk.net Friday, May 31, 2002 at 12:34:02 (PDT)

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