Asian Life in San Francisco | Asian American Poll

ASIAN LIFE IN SAN FRANCISCO
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:08:57 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.

CONTACT US | ADVERTISING INFO

© 1996-2013 Asian Media Group Inc
No part of the contents of this site may be reproduced without prior written permission.

WHAT YOU SAY

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

LSD:

Sweet! 80's rock bands rule! Did you ever play any INXS? I love INXS. They are one of my favorite bands of all time. Their greatest hits album just came out. Beyond rocks too. They could have been so much more. What a shame.

Hey, speaking of which, do HK and Taiwanese acts still frequent NYC? I remember back in the day, there was a concert just about every month out here. All the big names acts would come. Recently, they have gone to the casinos in Reno and Vegas instead because they can comp the gamblers for a free concert. You know how Chinese people looooove to gamble. In the past year or so, they have slowly been coming back to the cities, but the turnout has been dismal. Aaron Kwok cancelled his tour a bunch of times because he was afraid to come after 9/11. When he finally did come, people were so fed up, no one bought the tickets. Richie Jen had a concert last weekend, and it was only about half full. We're going to Vegas for Christmas to see Jackie Cheung though. That should be dope. We go to Vegas every Christmas to see concerts. Two years ago, we saw some specialty show run by Jackie Chan. All the stage show people were there, like Fei Fei. Alex To and Joey Yeung, and some other youngsters peformed. On that same day, Leslie Cheung and Wu Bai were performing in other casinos. Last year, we saw A-Mei. Her concerts are freakin' sick! She really knows how to put on a show.

There was a recent issue of Travel and Leisure that talked about the 5 cities in the world with the best food. Now, I don't normally read this rag, but I was doing some cardio at the gym, and I saw it lying around. Anyways, number one is NYC, and number two is SF! Now, you know that the rankings are based on those super duper expensive restaurants that 99% of the population will never even sniff. I don't know about your social standing, but I am definitely excluded from this crowd. As far as normal, everyday food goes, SF does suck. Number three on the list is Paris, and number four is our favorite city in the whole wide world, HK!
TSJ Eric@KristinKreuk.net Wednesday, November 06, 2002 at 14:32:02 (PST) [165.247.212.115]

TSJ,

Oh, btw, regarding covers that I played..I used to play songs of Zeppelin and the POlice. I also did my own material, but I don't think they were any good.

I assume you know the HK Rock band Beyond..I could play some of their songs too like 'Siu Si Yung Gum'-Who Is Brave, and "Wing Ying Dung Doi'-Forever Waiting. These are their early material, which were hard rock/heavy metal-based songs, unlike their softer and chessy stuff that every ignorant person knows of. Beyond had to tone their music for the highly commercialized HK music industry, which we all know is based mostly on looks, and not on talent or skill.

SF people not being receptive to tourists is a fact. But any smart person will tell u, who needs to ask the natives about SF in the 1st place? The city is somewhat small to begin with, and the food just stinks..hahaha..
LSD Tuesday, October 29, 2002 at 11:29:55 (PST) [66.212.81.229]

LSD:

Mr. Freeze... haha. I was like that in the past, but I've improved a bit now. I just have a calm, laid back style when I spit my game. I'm not assertive, but just come off as a nice, friendly guy, which may or may not be a good thing.

I've never lived anywhere else for an extended period of time, so I don't know how the girls are in other parts of the country. I like the aggressive nature of people on the east coast. I wish I could be more like that. However, if everyone is like that out there, what separates you from the rest of the pack? I guess that's why NYC people fare well out here. Sometimes it backfires though because people perceive what would be a normal persona for you guys to be brash and unwelcoming.

It's just a totally different lifestyle. Actually, as much as I say I would like it, I would be extremely shocked if a girl came up to me in that NYC style. It just never happens here, and I probably would be turned off by it.

People here just like to chill. When you go out with a girl, don't be all over her. Just sit back and relax. If you ever watch Blind Date or Elimidate, you will see that California girls are totally put off by that New York attitude. However, I'm just talking about the people who are from here. If you stay for awhile, you will soon realize that half the people you meet are originally from somewhere else.

One thing about SF is that people are very unkind to travelers, despite its reputation as a major tourist destination. They probably figured you were from out of town, hence the dirty looks.

LA girls better than Bay Area? NO way. Girls down south are only good for that... "down south." That's why we Bay Area guys just go down there for a little HIASI (hit it and split it) every once in awhile. It's definitely good for the soul. =P
TSJ Eric@KristinKreuk.net Monday, October 28, 2002 at 02:04:48 (PST) [67.116.230.3]

"When I'm out in SF and elsewhere, people are pretty much tame, u don't see them trying to start a conversation like folks in the Big Apple. I remembered trying to talk some chics out in SF, and they all thought I was crazy...hahaha. This especially true among Asian chics, and less so among White chics."

You may have a point here, bro. When I used to live back east, I used to mack down everyone in sight. But now all I do is chill. I can't understand it, there could be some fine hotties waiting to be hit upon but I'll just wind up staring them down. Back east I'd 've been on them like an old coat. I've been Cali dreamin' so long that when I finally get here; now what?
In fairness I should also add that babes back east are definitely more open. On a few occasions I've been macked on by women in public places such as a library, coffee house or public transportation. Here in cali, that has yet to happen and as a result I'm often involved in staring contests with women. I wish Cali girls would be as friendly and open as good ol' girls back east (and as willing to jump into the sack!) For all the hype, these cali girls aren't as 'freespirited' as east coast girls.
Asian Bro Sunday, October 27, 2002 at 04:19:27 (PST) [152.163.189.135]

TSJ,

Hahaha...nah, just because someone dresses nice doesn't mean much. It's what u do that counts.

Yeah, my pal is a doctor and soon to become a lawyer at the age of 36. The dude is not married but he is engaged.

Mr. Freeze..WTF??..LOL, btw, from what I've heard, what's up with many of the Asian dudes out in the West Coast not being able to talk to women? That's sad yo..cuz out here in NY, Asian pimps have a reputation for being big time players..hahaha. I guess NYC does that to everyone, the godda*n place is so cutthroat and fast that every person needs to be assertive and aggressive.

When I'm out in SF and elsewhere, people are pretty much tame, u don't see them trying to start a conversation like folks in the Big Apple. I remembered trying to talk some chics out in SF, and they all thought I was crazy...hahaha. This especially true among Asian chics, and less so among White chics.

But for some strange reason, when I'm out in SF, I noticed many Asian and White women stare at me in the buses and trains. I don't think I'm all that attractive to begin with, but maybe it's because the people out in SF aren't that good looking if u compared them to SoCal and NY folks.

Ur right..MBA is not a degree, but to me, it's the icing on the cake. Here's how I view the MBA, you get a MBA to look fancy with ur 'real' degree. I have met doctors and lawyers who have MBAs. Do they really need it? I guess not, but it looks nice, like an Armani suit with your shirt and tie. Better yet, the MBA is the cherry and the whipcream on ur ice cream sundae!

My sister got her job through a friend, being able to have connections is very important for landing a job. It's like those Asians who have all of the credentials, but can't land the job. It's who u know, and not really what u know! Most people would rather hire someone from a personal referral than go through the interview process to look for the right candidate.
LSD Thursday, October 24, 2002 at 11:09:35 (PDT) [66.212.81.229]

LSD:

Sure, there are always guys I envy for certain reasons. Maybe they look better than me, are more buff than me, or have more money than me, but rarely do I come across a guy that has all three. One time, my pathetic ass was basically going "trick or treating" for a job in a bunch of high rises in downtown SF. I was in the Citibank building, going up the elevator, when this stylin' Chinese guy walked in. I don't mean to sound gay, but this dude had it going on. He had some Armani suit on, with a Versace tie, and some really expensive looking shoes. He was tall and muscular. Just standing beside him in the elevator made me feel like half a man. I was a total nobody compared to this guy. I just had to see what he did for a living. He got off on some floor, and I went up because I didn't want him to know I was snooping around, but I went back down to see where he worked. As it turned out, the whole floor was full of law offices. This guy has it all - money, looks, nice bod. I bet he gets laid every night. If I were like him, I'd be a player for life.

Wow, your friend is a doctor and a lawyer? So I guess he can defend himself if he ever gets sued for malpractice.

I'm a DJ, but not necessarily the spinning records type. I'm more of an "on-air personality." I love being in the spotlight and performing in front of a live audience. I might just dabble in live comedy one of these days if I can muster up some good material. It's pretty ironic because I am good onstage, but totally suck when talking one on one (especially with girls). I guess when you are performing, everyone in the audience is a nameless, faceless entity, unlike the person sitting right in front of you in a normal conversation. Back when I worked at the arcade, I earned the dubious nickname of "Mr. Freeze" because whenever my coworkers tried to hook me up with some fine ass hunnies, I would just freeze up, and have absolutely nothing to say. What a loser, huh?

I always wanted to be in some band also, but my musical skills are not all that. I played the piano for many years, but am barely adequate. My sister is the musical one in the family. She passed that Royal British exam, or whatever it's called.

So you did covers of popular songs or composed your own songs?

I might go back to school too, if not to prep me for a better job, to kill some time and have an excuse to my mom for not yet fulfilling my potential. I've pretty much come to the conclusion that MBA are useless, so I might go for a teaching credential. I would never teach here in the States, but possibly back in HK or even Shanghai.
TSJ Eric@KristinKreuk.net Wednesday, October 23, 2002 at 01:26:42 (PDT) [67.116.231.136]

TSJ,

I'm trying to get anything I can due to the horrible job market out here.

Ideally, I would like to work in a law firm or a consulting business.

I want to pursue a MBA/JD joint degree in the near future. I want to pursue something that can kick some a$$!

I have an Asian friend who is a MD. He's been working in the medical profession for 3 years and have decided to get more credentials. He thinking of about getting a JD. Now check this out, a good looking 6'1 Asian pimp who is a doctor and a freaking lawyer...Damn! Wouldn't you envy some guy like him?

Hey, ur a DJ?..cool. I always wanted to be a top performer myself.

I play the electric guitar and I have joined several bands in the past. I used to gig like every freaking night in the clubs, until it was too much for me.
LSD Monday, October 21, 2002 at 08:15:24 (PDT) [66.212.81.229]

NEWEST COMMENTS | EARLIER COMMENTS