Okay I was the other days at a nail salon (yes, I'm metro) and while I was talking to the girl taking care of me I asked her about whether the capital of VietNam was either Hanoi or Saigon. Trying to keep the conversation going. She shook her head when I mentioned Hanoi and emphatically responded with Saigon. Then she began talking with other employees in Vietnamese and next thing I know they're gathered around her. While I don't understand the language, I did pick up the words, Hanoi, Saigon, and Ho Chi Minh. It's not like they appeared angry or anything but I sorta perceived they might've been making fun of me among themselves. So for my question, was the question I asked considered offensive or rude or whatnot among the Vietnamese population? And second, just out of curiosity, what could they've been saying about me?
2007-08-23 15:49:11 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
okay in concern to the last answerer, I was under the impression that they were making fun of me b/c of the tone they were speaking in and certain gestures they were making. I speak 2 other languages besides English and lived the first 14 years of my life in a country that was not the US
2007-08-24 17:13:40 · update #1
She probably just told her co-workers your question and they thought it was interesting that you were interested or that you even brought up the subject. Then they probably started talking about Vietnam, rehashing the old days when Ho Chi Minh city used to be called Sai Gon. Then they probably ended with "what an interesting conversation this silly American brought up".
Your question would not be considered rude by any standards. Many non-vietnamese people ask that question because Hanoi is the official capital city while Sai gon is the most well known city. It's confusing.
2007-08-30 19:44:13 · answer #1 · answered by serious 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The first answerer got it right. A lot of Viets here don't recognize Ha Noi as the capital of VN and refuse the name HCM City. Besides Sai Gon sounds nicer. No, I don't think they were making fun at you. Americans can quickly get offended when a conversation takes place in another language that they don't understand. They assume they must know everything and can't stand it if they feel left out.
2007-08-24 13:33:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Saigon is the old name for Ho Chi Minh City so I guess they might just have found it funny, nothing to offend you intentionally. Lots of Asian girls have simple fun----just like that.
2007-08-23 16:01:53 · answer #3 · answered by Ash Dominika 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most vietnamese in the US fled, or are the children of those who fled, the communist regime of the north. They can't stand that regime, hanoi, and to this day refuse to refer to saigon as HCM city.
2007-08-23 15:59:16 · answer #4 · answered by Rossonero NorCal SFECU 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Tang Thanh Ha, she is of chinese language root yet became into born in pass Cong, Vietnam. Luong Manh Hai and Luong The Thanh are organic Vietnamese. All 3 of them lived and labored in Vietnam. i don't be conscious of approximately their faith.
2016-12-31 04:39:12 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think all of the answers here are good. Don't take it to heart.
2007-08-31 15:40:06 · answer #6 · answered by holly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the answers here are great! i like this question.
2007-08-31 14:49:20 · answer #7 · answered by Jon C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋