what do American feel about Asian people, especially chinese korean or japanese?

Question

I'm curious as to what american feel about asian people, do they feel socially superior or maybe hard to know, please tell me the truth, coz I feel like when americans look at me, they always smile, I dont know in a good way or bad

Answer 1

I look at people as individuals, all people get my respect until they prove they are not worth it. As you can see from most of the answers many Americans will generalize and stereotype people, but I believe most of the generalizations are positive. Don't worry about what people think of you. Your character is more important than your image.

Answer 2

I don't know if this is necessarily answering the question since it's not really about the people but I feel uneducted I guess. I mean in the sense of not knowing enough about eastern culture, religion, history, and so forth. Perhaps it was just my school district but growing up I learned american and european history. I didn't learn very much about eastern history.

For instance, the only thing I was taught about WWII when it comes to the war in the pacific, is our fight with Japan. Pearl Harbor and on. I had to go and find out for myself things about Japans actions and the war prior to 1942. Also, I just learned the other day that, if I remember right, the Chinese invented moveable type several hundred years before western civilization but I was taught that it was Gutenberg.

It's the same for religion. Some of the eastern religions aren't very comon in the US and therefore aren't very well known. Taoism, Buddhism and so forth are intersting but just aren't common knowledge. Along with knowing which countries practice which religions predominately and so forth.

So I guess when it comes to asian people I'm curious and uninformed. Sorry if that doesn't help much.

Answer 3

Well, I come from a mixed family. My dad is 100% Caucasian and my mom is 100% Vietnamese.

I do feel like SOME Americans view Asian's as all the same. For example, if an American sees an Asian person, they just assume they're Chinese and say, "Look at that Chinese person."

Now this is not EVERY American, just a small percentage. The ignorant ones. I love all the kind comments above!

I just think ignorance is a HUGE lack of understanding and for Americans to not learn about other cultures (ANY culture, not just Asian) is sad.

There's a big world out there, and Asians are actually statistically smarter and waaaaaaaay ahead of America in the technology race!

This is just my opinion. :)

Answer 4

Personally, i think that Asian can be rude to others. Its really not the matter of being socially superior, cause they are NO more superior than other people . Yes there can be some really nice ones and friendly. I have been down to the Mexico/USA border and they work on the border. Those working on the border are very rude and hateful. If you ask them a question they answer rudely. They yell at the workers in their stores. Otherwise I dont see any issues with them..

Answer 5

If they smile, it is most likely (unless they're really weird) good. I think most Americans feel that Asians are unusually smart, hard-working, attractive and have an admiration for them. I'm sure they don't feel superior. If anything bad, they'd look for excuses to call you a snob, and may not think you are friendly if you don't smile back. But that would just be the rare person looking for trouble.

Answer 6

I think Asian Women and Men quite beautiful. My area of town is very racially diverse. Personally I don't feel "racially superior" as a white guy (maybe because I'm gay; it knocks me down some notches)... I see every one as just like me. All the families shopping, busy trying to make ends meat, caring about their families, trying to get ahead... just like me. I have my hobbies and interests, I'm sure everyone does... I don't think were are all that different here in the US. Maybe we have different traditions on the calender, and eat different food sometimes and listen to different musics... That's what makes a great country. There's room for all of our cultures. We are enriched by learning about each other, when we take the time to talk to each other! We get locked into our little worlds. I think we should all take the time to say "Hi, how are you" to each other!

Answer 7

I like the 2nd or 3rd or more generation Asian American better than the 1st generation. I really find it offensive that a lot of commercial signs are written ONLY in Asian languages. I find it that they are trying to exclude others from coming in and do business with them.

Answer 8

I love Asians!!!
People who say that they can be rude have obviously not taken the time to ask why. If you look into the Asian culture and their non-verbal communication practices, you would understand why. Make an effort to educate yourself on the other cultures that are coming here and actually ASSIMILATING.
Smile back next time! :-)

Answer 9

I dont think much on Asians. Not in a bad way. I just dont think about it when I run into an Asian. Just, ah another human taking up space hear on earth.

Answer 10

Where I live (Vancouver) their are so many Asians, that I feel no different seeing one of them than I do a caucasion. I often think the Japanese are very good-looking and present themselves well, and I have many good friends who are Chinese, and therefore, I look upon them fondly.