Why do "non Asian " people, have Asian character tattoos ?

Question

I've asked a lot of people "what does your tattoo say or mean?" Most answer "I don't know". Or the have a interpreted the charactors wrong, and what they think their tattoo means is different than what it says. Sure some asians have english words tattood on them, but these asians CAN read english. Do you think that this is disrespectful to asian people? To have so many "non-asian" people, who can't read chinese, tattood with asian writing ? I do and I'm 100% Chinese (american born).

Answer 1

LOL this question reminds me when I was in the military. Military men would be stationed in Korea and have a Korean person write their "name " in calligraphy. Sometimes I was told because I was asian it said "stupid white man" or something insulting but they did not know it. so the people that have asian characters that have no clue what is says, is probably an insult . I personally think that it is pretty damn dumb to get a tattoo and not know what the meaning is.

Answer 2

You have Chinese ancestry and you look the part but guess what? Your passport will say American. Do you know how to speak Chinese and write it? If yes then that's great but you are still American. So my point is who cares it's not your body that they're posted on. Also there are many forms of Asian writing and do you know how to read them all? I think not. Do yourself a favor and retract this question before you embarrass yourself any longer and other Asian people as well. Because believe it or not you do not represent the majority.

Answer 3

I can't tell you not to be offended, but I don't think you should be.

I don't read or speak Chinese or Japanese, but it is my intention to have some Kanji symbols tattooed on either my arm or leg.

One of your other responders referred to Kanji as a beautiful art form...and I agree. The symbols I have chosen for my tattoo, are for Faith, Hope and Love. I've chosen to represent it in Kanji rather than having them written out in English as it is much more enjoyable to look at.

I have done the research to be sure the symbols represent what I want them to represent and I do also agree that people who have no idea what their tattoo says are pretty retarded. Who wants to try to explain a tattoo to someone who actually understands it, only to find out they're totally wrong... NO FUN :)

My advice to you, don't be so defensive. Those that get tattooed for the right reason, know better than to put just some random symbol on thier skin forever.

Answer 4

I have an chinese tattoo for strength which is one of the things my chinese grandmother taught me. I don't look asian but I am. I'm only about 1/4 chinese. But I get what you are saying.

Answer 5

No i don't think it's disrespectful but i think its stupid because if u don't look uit up and make sure thatz the right meaning for the characters u might have some that says salt pepper ketcup on u and think the **** mean strength loyalty and honor people do ur research before u get another language tattooed on ur body

Answer 6

If they don't know what it means than it is disrespectful... What's so hard about research anyway? (oh, I forgot that takes time!LOL) I love Asian characters and would like to have one tattooed one day but I WILL research it 1st... There is something about the flow of it and lines that I really like... To be safe, can you recommend a book or person to check translations with? Thank you!

Answer 7

I don't think it is disrespectful to Asians as imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I do think it's pretty silly for a person who doesn't read the language to have it written on themselves.

I think one reason white people do it is to show how non-racist they are. I have had a guy say to me, "I'm not a racist, I got (sic) Chinese right here on my arm!" Scared white people are always proving how much they appreciate diversity.

Answer 8

I think that is honestly just lame because so many people i know have chinese words tattoos and they dont even know what it means. Its so annoying they just like our language just because it sounds cool or looks cool. I had a kid come up to me once and asked me whats my name look like in chinese. I get that a lot and its kind of irritating. I agree that its kind of disrespecting.

Answer 9

i dont think its disrespectful at all, not that i have any tattoos, but maybe these people just like the language or the look of it or whatever. maybe they wish they were asian, thats kind of flattering right? that someone likes how you look/act/what you eat/your culture/dress whatever so much that they want to incorporate that into their lives? or maybe im reading too much into the asian word tats and its basically one of those fads that many people think look cool. its like when a white girl wears asian influenced clothing- funny looking? i think so, but hey whatever they like i guess.

either way, the people getting the tats think the words look cool so i guess smile that they think your language is cool?

Answer 10

I think asian charactors are a beautiful art form. I know it's writting but it still looks like art in my mind. In my opinion it is more respectful than not. They think something that your people have created is beautiful enough to put it on their body permenantly. They may not know what it means but it sure looks good right?