Asian guys who are born in the U.S. seems more effeminate than their foreign-born counterparts?

Question

Just my observation, but it seems that most asian males born and raised in the U.S. don't have the gregariousness and raunchiness that many foreign-born/raised asians have. I have a friend from Hongkong he is loud and lively, which I seldom see here. Most asian americans I meet here are soft-spoken, conforming, and seems trying too hard to play along. I see these traits in Asian-American movies as well (Except for Better Luck Tomorrow). Do you think my comment has a grain of truth? If yes, why do you think it is?

Answer 1

No, In fact I'd say that "Better Luck Tomorrow" is, aside from the criminal activity, the most accurate portrayal of Asian-American guys I've ever seen in a movie. And I'm speaking as someone who is Korean-American, grew up here in a large Korean-American community, and lives not 20 minutes from the town with the largest Korean percentage of population in the US.

I think it depends on where you live. If you're from the New York, LA, or San Fransisco area, you're more likely to see the more "hardcore" types. I myself live maybe 15 minutes from Manhattan.

Edit: I should say that the movie was an accurate portrayal of _suburban_ Asian American guys- there are of course plenty of urban gangbangers as well.

Answer 2

I guess you've have'nt witnessed asian gang activity. You live in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles... lets see you call them sissy's. I doubt HK has a monopoly on tough Asian characters.

Don't confuse old world Confucian values with effeminacy... Just because we were able to keep a piece of the great culture alive, which the Cultural Revolution had lost. It's not a symbol of weakness... it's the strength that was once was.

Answer 3

I am asian, well indian, and I really do not have effeminate qualities. Probably because I grew up in Rural America, but when I was in college I did notice a lot of asians were metrosexual. I think it has more to do with where they were raised. Because many asians who do display the qualities you mention come from the suburbs where metrosexual is the norm. I know many asians who grew up in Urban area's as well and many of them do not display the same qualities that you would see with suburban asians. Many of them are more about the hip-hop culture than the metrosexual culture. So I think it has to do with where they were raised.

Answer 4

It has to do with where you were raised. Asian people who were raised in a whitest of white area will tend to play along and not rock the boat because white people are racist. Those who hand around white people tend to be more effeminate because white people doesn't feel threaten by an effminate person. Whereas those who hang around in Asian billard bars are tottaly opposite because they don't care about white acceptance and white mainstream culture. Many of them doesn't even watch American television.

Answer 5

I think there is a strong desire to cooperate that exists in many cultures in Asia. In the US, it's hard to figure out where the lines of conduct are or what motivates people to behave the way they do. Trying to act the same way could go wrong, and could be very embarrassing. In their own cultures, there is a place for "wild and crazy," and they know how to get there.

Answer 6

Yeah, it's true. My family has been in the United States since the early 1900's. After 100 years of being the minority group and facing racism will mess with your psyche.

Answer 7

My asian boyfriend is raunchy and his twin is the most outgoing person you've ever seen. You shouldn't base your idea of over a billion people on the few you've met.

Answer 8

That is a very keen observation, I have noticed that too- except for the club owning queen in "Good Morning Vietnam"

Answer 9

particular i trust jonathan r. my chum pronounced i do no longer desire to call you an american because you're no longer. you're asian. i became into like wtf? and persons do question me the place am i from. i respond u.s.. "NOOOOOO!! the place are you incredibly from???"""

Answer 10

culture my dear Friend culture