A Chinese Speaks English
Today, my roommate Jules and I were biking to the train station, and at a stoplight we ran into an American who was out on a run. Jules and I were speaking English about alternate routes to the train station.
Man: Wow, people who speak English! (then he looks at me) Both of you!
Jules: Yeah, where are you from?
Man: I’m from New York. (directed at Jules) China is great, isn’t it?
Then he proceeds to look at me as if he was saying, “Your country is great!”
I hate that all white people in China think you can’t speak English. And if that isn’t enough, Chinese people don’t believe I speak English well (nor do they think I speak Chinese well enough, either).
Where do I belong in China? Where do I belong in the world?
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:02 pm
“Where do I belong in China? Where do I belong in the world?”
Where do you think you belong? Where do you want to belong?
I think both China and the US are open enough for people like you. If you prefer the US, you could probably marry a WASP or a jew and take your husband’s last name. I’m not suggesting that you should be like Michelle Malkin, but I think you’ll be able to fit in fine.
And China is not as exclusive as you might think. Foreigners get integrated throughout history, as long as they conform to Chinese values and customs. It is not always easy, I admit. But it’s definitely feasible. Even the Jews got complete assimilated in China (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaifeng_Jews). Just open up a Chinese history book, and you’ll find tons of examples: Li Bai (Kazakhstani Chinese poet born in central Asian), Zheng Chenggong (half-Japanese national hero born in Nagasaki), Zheng He (Arab Chinese explorer and diplomat), etc.
April 5th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Ignorance and assumptions transcend borders and societies. If this happens again, I suggest you be very outspoken and make the white person realize very quickly who you are and where you come from. If they don’t believe you (what I’ve noticed is a trend throughout your China travels), have confidence in yourself. Be the brazen American if it makes you feel better and proves your point. You know who you are, and you decide where you belong. Your friends know who you are. As for the commenter above me, I strongly believe that such notions and methods of assimilation are outdated. The description of “assimilation for you in the US” mentioned above is wholly ignorant. It disregards your personal history and Asian American history in the US. As for the Chinese assimilation section, I must vehemently disagree that extreme conformity is the answer. Today’s world is much more interconnected, and in a sense much smaller thanks to ease of travel and technology. I would say that a personal compromise and the fusing of two sets of values and customs work best for many people living in foreign countries. I consider you a very worldly person, and I am confident that you have a good sense of self.
April 8th, 2009 at 7:06 am
If you want to fit in, you have to conform somewhat.