Why does people think I'm Chinese, Japanese or Korean?

Question

This kid came up to be and say " are you Chinese or something?" but I'm Vietnamese, its time for people to get their facts straight.

HalezEye you don't respect asians, and you don't respect yourself.

Answer 1

unfortunately, many people have a hard time distinguishing between Asian races, so they assume that you belong to the most well known group -- Chinese.
Like me: I'm Colombian, but here in NY, people think I'm Puerto Rican (the most common Hispanic group here); in LA, people thought I was Mexican

Answer 2

The term "asian" has come into use because non-asian cultures lack the ability to tell the difference and don't want to offend anyone.

In most cases I think that I can tell the difference between someone from China or Japan because they look really different. However Vietnamese and Korean? For me that would be a hard call.

Answer 3

Most people can't tell the difference between Asians. Heck, a lot of us Asians can't even tell the difference; I live in China and I'm Chinese, but a lot of local people assume I'm Japanese when they first see me.

Answer 4

You have to understand that this is normal. Can you distinguish between a German, an English or a Canadian? Unfortunately, people from different races can only tell your general origin (white, asian, black).....don't be offended, get used to it, and when they tell you something like that, answer that your are Vietnamese....and if they don't know where that is, give them some info - a geography lesson! ;)

Answer 5

Because the kid doesn't know how to differentiate. In fact, if you look closely, you should be able to tell by the way they speak, dress and behave. Anyway I live in a cosmopolitan country and I am Asian, so, its pretty easy for us to point out who is who.

Answer 6

As I understand Vietnamese, Chinese, Philippines and Japanese are all related and their ancestry goes back to antiquity; the name used to cover those groups is Asians.

I myself admire the Asian culture, and enjoy studying the Oriental culture, The Path of the Ninja, Chinese cuisine, Manga, Shuriken and I really enjoy the boy ninja Naruto.

I've been wondering where one can find some really good books on how everything began in the Orient, but have been unable to find good books on that subject as the library in our community is limited as it is in a small town.

Answer 7

there is some chinese heritage in vietnam. the locals told me that they have chinese ancestors, so some of them really look like the chinese! some even speak cantonese! they also have wanton noodles, which is mi van than there. their's is so much better than our malaysian wanton noodles!

Answer 8

Ignorance?
Or maybe they think your features resemble a Chinese person's features.
My son is mostly white, but part Native American, and people ask him if he is Chinese, too.

Answer 9

its cool to see a Vietnamese who actually says they are Vietnamese.... NOT part Vietnamese :)

as my part - Vietnamese (part Chinese) friend told me that most Vietnamese claimed to be mixed with another Asian nationality

Answer 10

because to most people, you all look basically the same. no one knows that I'm German unless I tell them, but i don't get offended if someone thinks that I'm a different nationality.