Anyone born Here?

[ChairmanMah]

to visit, Did you feel culture shock? Did you feel uncomfortable?

Or did you feel at home and would have rather stayed than came back?

[amietron]

I went to school in Japan for about a month during the summer, when I was in 3rd and 4th grade (4th grade and 5th grade, here). It was different, but I liked it.

[Commando_turned_MD]

Born and raise in Orange County(Seal Beach), Cali

[iris]

Born in US, now living in Hong Kong for a project. Feeling a lil out of place.

[angel nympho]

I'm born here. I've been to Korea. It just feels like visiting someplace different. I probably wouldn't have noticed it was out of the states if it wasn't for all the Korean writing and all that stuff everywhere. ...But I felt in NO way at home. People stare, people talk shit, and people just all in all have completely different views on things. I didn't like it there.

[iris]

Yeah people definitely stare because as AAs, we look differently and I'm not just talking about clothing and the you walk and talk. In Hong Kong, my body type is different. At 5'3, I'm a little taller, more athletic, and more curvy than HK women thanks to an American diet.

I also feel a little uncomfortable not being able to wear what I'd normally wear. I follow local customs of conservative dress to fit in. And I'm not at all happy about doing it, but I'm in another country and so I conform to their ideals to be respectful. I like HK alot, but I wouldn't live here again. I'd definitely visit though. Being here for a prolong amount of time also makes me feel fat, which I've never had a problem with in the US. But HK women are so incredibly skinny, they'd make Jennifer Aniston look fat.

[angel nympho]

^-- Yeah, I didn't change my wardrobe when I went to Korea. I got people looking at me left and right for wearing cute little skirts or tighter tops or whatever. But shiiiit, I wasn't about to change, it's fucking HOT in Korea. I think the thing that made me stand out the most, though, was my attitude. An old lady shoved me on the subway, so I pushed by her and wouldn't let her through. I didn't know old people are special. Normally, I let old people do whatever and I'm really nice about helping them out... but not if they think they DESERVE to be treated extra nice just 'cuz they're old. We Americans like to throw old people in trash cans! Grr, arrg!

[DaBestSpooner]

Asia=home sweet home

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by iris@Dec 24 2002, 01:10 AM
Born in US, now living in Hong Kong for a project. Feeling a lil out of place.
:P

it would help if they spoke more mandarin or if you knew how to speak cantonese.

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by tazadar@Dec 24 2002, 11:40 AM
Originally posted by SunWuKung@Dec 24 2002, 08:04 AM
:P

it would help if they spoke more mandarin or if you knew how to speak cantonese.
Why don't you teach iris some Cantonese, you FOB.
she knows how to order curry pork chops in cantonese! :P

[ism]

I was born "here," which I take to mean America. I've been to the Philippines several times since I was young, so I never really got a full-blown culture shock. I look more Chinese than Filipino, and yeah, the U.S. diet does make me taller than the average person, so I kind of stand out. I also speak broken Tagalog so it doesn't really help. I feel more like a tourist that's familiar with the place... sort of like visiting Montana.

I've been to Hong Kong once and it seemed like NYC's Chinatown times a million. Not quite a shock either, but I felt like I may as well have been a white tourist. I'm not uncomfortable, I'm glad I went, and would love to go again. Actually, I'm headed to the Philippines again this Saturday. I'm more concerned with the heat than anything else.

[lethal]

I was born in Vietnam, but came over when I was 2. I've been back a couple times...I can fit in after a few days. The most glaring things are the way I dress, which can change, and my skin color, which is a lot lighter than the natives. Also, instead of being a few inches shorter than the general American population, I'm a touch taller than average over there.

I know when I was walking anywhere, the cyclo drivers would not leave me alone trying to offer me a ride.

Given a month, I could probably blend in.

[.:kanji:.]

yah....born in canada...TO baby!
but i aint ever been to china...i should someday...

[VV o n g B a]

born in the US. went back when i was really young. all i remember is a feeling of belonging because everybody looked like me. i didn't feel weird. it was cool.

[Napoleon Chynamite]

Born here in Seattle, WA...never technically been to mainland China or anywhere else in Asia (except HK which supposedly now is part of mainland China, and I used the bathroom at the Tokyo airport once). Ditto about the skinny-ass HK people ROFL...I am 5'9 130 lbs soaking wet, and there are guys over there that make me look like the Hulk on steroids, no joke :P Like most people will say here, the American diet has made me taller and I guess broader than if my mom had stayed in HK with me, but I'm still a bit shorter (or average at best) when compared with American guys :)

Regarding my experiences...I remember sticking out because my mom told me that people can just tell for some reason whether or not you are a resident or a tourist. I think the American diet also has some effect on facial characteristics as well (so I was told), but I'm not sure. I have huge eyes and a pointed nose so perhaps they thought I was part gwai-lo or whatever. However, I don't remember making much of what other people thought. My main gripe was simply the fact that I hate being around relatives. The more relatives, the worse time I will have. Old ladies and men talking shit about you in front of your parents or asking them questions about you. Call me untraditional, but hey here's a hint...I'm right here, why don't you ask me where I'm currently going to school instead of talking to my old man? BLAHHH ^^

[iris]

Originally posted by VV o n g B a@Dec 25 2002, 11:22 AM
born in the US. went back when i was really young. all i remember is a feeling of belonging because everybody looked like me. i didn't feel weird. it was cool.
Yeah Wongba. When i was young, i didn't notice the stares I probably got, but instead realized everyone looked like me. That was a nice feeling after being a minority for so long in the majorly White Missouri.


FP, I totally know what you mean by that relatives statement. Whenever I visit Taiwan, my relatives assume I can't speak Mandarin (which I can fluently) and they'll talk about me to my parents instead of asking me directly. Because I'm not really tiny like most Asian girls in Taiwan, they also say stuff like, "Wahhh...you look....very....um...healthy, so strong. Like a horse! Can carry many things." Oh yeah, fun times. I love it when they squeeze my arm too. I'm 5'3 and about 105-110lbs. That's a size 0-2 in the USA. I am not fat, but they certainly think I am "healthy." And what am I suppose to say to that? I know they're implying fat, but the way they say it, I can't exactly say, "No! I'm not healthy!"

[AliBabaIncorporated]

Born in US. lived in M'sia for a bit. Studied in HK and Japan. HK is too rushed and high-strung for me, though I had a lot of fun while I was there and all the 24-hour food and public transportation definitely helped a lot. I was able to blend in socially, but not always physically (I don't quite dress like the local college students, and I'm tall enough that I keep banging my head on things). Japan, strangely enough, feels a bit more like home to me, people are polite, it's more hierarchical, and people talk Japanese to me. on the other hand, I'll always be a foreigner there, even if I stayed long enough to lose my accent and funny grammar and became a citizen.

[luv]

Originally posted by iris@Dec 24 2002, 03:06 AM
Yeah people definitely stare because as AAs, we look differently and I'm not just talking about clothing and the you walk and talk. In Hong Kong, my body type is different. At 5'3, I'm a little taller, more athletic, and more curvy than HK women thanks to an American diet.


I've never been outside the U.S. save for Toronto, so I guess that doesn't count.

My friends (who were born here ) who have visited Hong Kong say they feel like giants there -- nothing fits. Even the guys have like 27 inch waistlines.

Another said that she was approached by an old guy who thought she was a hooker ("bek goo" -- she's Cantonese, but can't really speak it, I guess he thought her accent was just bad mandarin-taiwanese-cantonese ???) because she wore a strappy tank top.

[ChairmanMah]

daym, i missed the convo, my stupid forum access was not working all day yesterday.

[ChairmanMah]

well, i'm was born in vancouver can. and i'm glad that frozen pizza is from seattle and kanji is from t.o. because i thought almost everyone here was from L.A.
I think Seattle is quite similar to vancouver.

People like wylin who canada bash think we live in igloos.

The reason why i ask this forum question is because i don't really know what to expect if i went to hong kong, meaning if i like it or not. I think that element of surprise is always good but not if i think it was a waste of money.

I definitely think i am going back to visit because i just should.

And i don't think that seeing the world would ever hurt you unless you are journalist or got mugged or killed somewhere hostile i think.

[ChairmanMah]

i'm 5'10" 180lbs. but my dad is about that same size too (a bit heavier) so if i was a giant in hong kong, then it wouldn't just be from western food although i'm sure it helps.

[SunWuKong]

hehheh when i was in HK i can usually tell from first glance who's an overseas chinese and who's a local. the overseas chinese just really stick out for some reason, even if they weren't particularly taller or bigger. :P

and regarding the relatives talking about you to your parents when you're right there... well that'll stop when you get older. my relatives don't do that anymore. wait until you have a career and everything.

[SunWuKong]

anyway, i encourage all asian americans/canadians to go try living in asia. and i mean live there for a year or two. you'll really gain a new perspective.

and also, i hear a lot of people saying that they'll go visit sometime. but they just keep saying that year after year. so if you can afford it, just do it! :)

[deez nuts]

Not born in the US. I'm M.I.T. and moved to the US when I was about 10-11. After a few trips back and living it up with my rich relatives back there. I have no interest in going back, even to visit right now. I hated it there (Taiwan, Shanghai and Hong Kong). I'm a sell out. USA is A-OK!

Maybe go back and toss it up for my bachelor's party with the fellas later on.

[contra_diction]

born in Cali, but moved to Tae-Gu immediately after. My first language was Korean, but I am really out of practice. I've moved many places since, and consider Cali my home (where i'm at now), I really don't blend in the 'homeland' cos i'm half, but my larger half is asian. From greatest to least: Korean, German, Scottish, Irish, Flip, Spanish, Hawaiian. Heinz _7, i guess. Being 6'1", I think I definitely prefer being stateside. However, I loved Europe, especially Germany! Is that weird?

[terence]

I was born & raised in LA. Went back to Vietnam in 1999 and was pretty culture-shocked. I think Vietnam is definitely a place I would rather visit than live.

I've also lived in Florence, Italy for a short stint and found that I still prefer living in America, even for all the crap that happens here.

[AliBabaIncorporated]

Originally posted by SunWuKung@Dec 26 2002, 02:45 AM
hehheh when i was in HK i can usually tell from first glance who's an overseas chinese and who's a local. the overseas chinese just really stick out for some reason, even if they weren't particularly taller or bigger. :P
yeah, somehow a lot of us don't blend in too well. Mostly, body language (especially how they walk) and hairstyles. Style of dress, to a lesser extent. Also it seemed like every single exchange student owned a Jansport backpack. :confused:

[kimpossible]

Been to Taiwan and Japan a few times. Most likely going to go back in a year or two and even do an extended trip through mainland China. I stick out no matter what I do, but I don't have much culture shock.

[BaiginLong]

in my case I'm a jook sing that went back when I was pretty young and was treated as more of an outsider by classmates but hey
i did know the language but not the exact dialect (Taishanese), I knew Cantonese and i guess thaty contributed to my alienation
i visited the country mostly but I had an easier time in the city hehe
I'm naturally more cosmopolitan I guess, though I have country blood
:P

[thaite]

Was born in Thailand. Go back every couple years. Ain't no thing.

I'm so easy going.