Awkward Racial Question

[nahneun]

Originally Posted by A.L.Z.

LOL. Yes, Vietnamese are held in particular contempt by the Chinese, especially Hong Kong Chinese and Taiwanese. And yes, Filipinos are the 'maid" class in Hong Kong, as the original poster will discover when he goes there....

The saddest part of all is Toronto's various East Asian communities are exquisitely aware of their own hierarchy and continue to mire themselves in this self-inflicted filth...


Japanese are the highest, by the way (and rightfully so)....

wapanese

 

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by Eason

If he's Korean, he should be calling them "jjang ggae"

I text him that this morning and he enjoyed it, thanks.

 

[Eason]

When it comes to racial epithets, I'm here for you.

 

[fleet on feet]

If you have been offered the opportunity, your upper management clearly sees you as a good fit for the position. They are confident in your ability to succeed, so don't question it.

 

[akatsuki]

Originally Posted by fleet on feet

If you have been offered the opportunity, your upper management clearly sees you as a good fit for the position. They are confident in your ability to succeed, so don't question it.

That might be the case, but socially it will suck.

Japan was pretty bad when I lived there - the only girls who would date a black guy were doing it to be rebellious and it was definitely a very fucked up situation where the guy knew he was being used as an object. And if you weren't white or black, well, there was zero chance of pretty much anything happening.

 

[texas_jack]

Originally Posted by akatsuki

\\- the only girls who would date a black guy were doing it to be rebellious and it was definitely a very fucked up situation where the guy knew he was being used as an object.

Keep in mind that happens here too.

 

[Matt]

I don't think I've ever heard anoyone say that Hong Kong sucks socially. In fact, it is hard to imagine any expat under any circumstances saying that about HK. And OP will hardly be the first black guy there. ****, I know two and I've never even lived there.

 

[Dragon]

Originally Posted by akatsuki

That might be the case, but socially it will suck.

Japan was pretty bad when I lived there - the only girls who would date a black guy were doing it to be rebellious and it was definitely a very fucked up situation where the guy knew he was being used as an object. And if you weren't white or black, well, there was zero chance of pretty much anything happening.

Do you speak good Japanese?

 

[akatsuki]

Originally Posted by Dragon

Do you speak good Japanese?

At the time I was conversationally fluent (like actually conversationally fluent, not just the BS I speak a few words). Not so much anymore since I never use it.

And obviously I was massively generalizing, there were definite exceptions - I think that making actual friends with someone in Japan (versus the standard polite friendship) was much harder to breach the further "out" you were - so white people took longer than Japanese natives, then black people because at least they were in Hollywood movies, then everyone else.

It was pretty amazing the stereotypes they had about my Mexican buddy though. Half the time I think they were expecting him to have a sombrero or something.

 

[impolyt_one]

(dude in Asia here)

I think you'll be fine. Hong Kong is accessible and people are used to seeing foreign businessmen, it's only been like what, 200 years? There might be some odd moments, but you'll have to forgive people's ignorance and know they don't mean too much by it. And better yet, you'll be ballin! That tends to reduce the amount of troubles you run into in Asia, regarding interactions.

 

[acidboy]

yup us azns are racists. (personally I like to think I'm an equal opportunity racist- I make fun of all races including and most specially my own)

 

[M. Bardamu]

OP should be prepared for old ladies sneaking up behind him, touching his arm and then looking at their hand to see if any black has rubbed off...

 

[JayJay]

^^^Also the stares of, and pointing from, children who have never seen a black person IRL before.

 

[acidboy]

should we tell OP 'bout "darlie toothpaste"?

 

[SnarlPatrick]

Originally Posted by NorCal

As bad as it might be you won't be in any physical harm and you'll have an chance to not only better your self but perhaps break down a few racial boundaries along the way.

No physical harm? You're forgetting ninjas.

Jokes aside, go for it. Like someone else said, dress sharp, defy any stereotypes, and if anyone gives you grief, just dismiss it as not warranting your attention.

Congrats