I am seriously trying to learn Japanese and just wondered if it would be offensive just to assume Japanese descent? Seems like it to me... any other thoughts?
2007-07-20 08:59:35 · 14 answers · asked by Chase S 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Why assume? Just ask first! Thats what i did when practicing Japanese. ☻
2007-07-20 09:03:23 · answer #1 · answered by rksu747 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well let's see, i'm actually Chinese and at my school everyone thinks I'm Korean and they just speak that to me. I don't get offended because even i can't tell the Oriental races apart heh.
But it's probably safer to ask first or if you know that they're Japanese based on where you are. I've been spoken to by Philipinos in their native languages and i don't take any offence from it. But just remember where you are. Because in some places of China, if you speak Philipino to a Chinese person, then that's sorta offensive because Chinese people "higher" on the ladder (which is stupid in my opinion)
2007-07-20 16:11:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just ask first. There is nothing wrong with that. I am half Japanese but I have had people come up to me and speak Spanish, assuming that I am Latino because of my dark features. It was funny at first but now its more annoying than anything. I would rather they ask what my ethnicity was before speaking a different language to me.
2007-07-20 17:34:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not a good idea unless you asked if they were Japanese and could you practice speaking to them in their native language. There are so many different Asians from all over the world, would you want someone to assume you were Swedish, and you were actually Austrian or Czech?
2007-07-20 16:05:15 · answer #4 · answered by Nancy S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Would I get offended if someone spoke French () spelling to me. No I wouldn't. I speak Spanish just as good as English and have often spoken Spanish to people just assuming that as they were of Spanish decent they could speak Spanish just to be told that they do not speak Spanish but they were not offended by me doing so
2007-07-20 16:08:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. And being of Japenese descent does not mean they know anything about Japan or Japenese.
I would try a Japenese restaurant first and ask..."do you speak Japenes", if the answer is yes then practice.
2007-07-20 16:16:35 · answer #6 · answered by Lotus Phoenix 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you speak japanese to people who are not japanese that might actually piss someone off. Its like your saying they are japanese even when you know they are not. Why don't you ask if someone knows japanese before speaking it in front of their face as if they do.
2007-07-20 16:03:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it would be funny if you spoke in Japanese to me and I was let's say Korean and I would not understand a word....
2007-07-20 16:02:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps you may wanna try to ask them where they come from first. I'm mexican and it's a bit tiring when people assume you're either puertorican or cuban... It doesn't bother me THAT much, anyway...
2007-07-20 16:52:12 · answer #9 · answered by Panda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh lord jesus plz help these ignorant people see that they can not offend ppl by speaking their language... just like they dont offend us whenever they speak english AMAN....
2007-07-20 16:04:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋