What Kind of Asian Are You?

"Where are you from anyway?"

"Bakersfield, originally."

"No, I mean your ancestors."

"Oh, them. Pittsburgh."

"that "cultural feature" of the white American populace"

Discrimination is everywhere; it's how human beings navigate a highly complex world in which thoughtful, careful evaluation of every individual a person encounters is impossible. This is a good thing as far as it enables us to move through a crowded environment and a bad thing if it spoils our ability to judge a person on his merits.

I went to school with a Japanese guy called Hiro. He was, by all appearances, a very nice guy. One day, though, he shocked me by stating very matter-of-factly that he disliked Koreans. "They smell bad" he explained.

In my conversation with Europeans, Asians, South Americans, North Americans of all colors and creeds, etc, etc I have found that racism is a human condition. Americans make an easy target because they are outspoken and because it's pretty much open season on them right now but they don't have a monopoly on racist attitudes.

You are very generous. Some questions are rude no matter how innocent the intention, like "Is that your real hair color?" or "How much money do you make?" And those can be forgiven if they come up in a natural conversation, even if you choose not to answer. But to approach a stranger and ask a personal question just to satisfy your curiosity about them is rude. I can't imagine having it happen over and over all your life, especially in a clueless manner like this fellow.