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Leeners
:)
Member since 5/05 4898 total posts
Name:
Eileen
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
Posted by Redhead
Posted by Chatham-Chick
Posted by Leeners
Yup. I don't think it's that difficult to tell whether an Asian person is Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Philippino or Thai and it bothers me that people don't take the time to learn.
I have to agree.
Honestly that is wrong
I have definitely taken the time to "learn" since i have friends who are of the above decent...
AND you would NOT be able to tell...
and i think it is pretty ignorant for anyone to assume they could across the board
It's not WRONG, it's what my experience is so right back at ya.
First of all, Japanese features, moreso than probably any other Asian ethnicity, are pretty distinct. That's what the post was about and to me, a Chinese person very very VERY rarely looks like a Japanese person. Do people make mistakes? Sure! It happens. However, there are fairly distinctive features for each of the ethnicities and IMO to just assume you'll never be able to tell so why would you bother to try is ignorant.
I would encourage you all to take this test:
All Look Same.com
Not necessarily to see if you're "good" at it or not but to see the answers and try to find similar features across each of the three ethnicities present.
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Posted 3/2/06 2:26 PM  |
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
Posted by BabyAvocado
Posted by DMcK
What was the ethnicity of the person offended? If he or she was Chinese, I can tell you that there is a long history of hatred between those 2 countries. It's almost like asking a Slav if they are Bosnian, a Czechnian if they are Russian, an Arab if they are Jewish... there are some cultural issues and sensitivities that go back thousands of years
I totally understand that, and I know that, so did the person doing the asking. But why should it be okay that that hatred and prejudice gets carried over to someone asking an innocent question?
The people (there were multiple people asked) happened to all be Chinese (well, one was unknown). But they did NOT all look the "same", that is, like they were all of the same decent.
I didn't say it was okay, I don't think it is, I was just trying to explain the background of why some might find it offensive.
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:27 PM |
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karacg
Babygirl is 4!
Member since 5/05 17076 total posts
Name:
Kara®
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
I do not think it is ignorant -- or offensive either.
When I lived overseas I was never "insulted" if someone asked me to translate something --- often enough it would be German or French or whatever -- so what? If I didn't speak the language I would say so. And then thank the person for thinking I was multi-lingual.
People need to lighten up.
ETA my SIL is Chinese, as is my nephew of course........China is a HUGE country and the typical characteristics are so variable that there is no "pattern"
Message edited 3/2/2006 2:29:49 PM.
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:27 PM |
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unknown1
****
Member since 5/05 2771 total posts
Name:
lisa
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
Posted by Redhead
Posted by BabyAvocado
Posted by unbelievable
"How can you tell the difference b/t Koreans, Vietnamese, Philipino, Chinese and Japanese?"
If you don't know then don't ask
But if you don't know and you can't ask, how should you learn? 
you can't....and honestly anyone saying that they could "tell the difference" by learning
well that is silly
I didn't say that .
I was asked if I thought it was ignorant and I said yes. I also think it is ignorant if the individual said EWW ... I avoid stuff like this...
Message edited 3/2/2006 2:28:58 PM.
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:28 PM |
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dooodles
When you wish upon a star
Member since 5/05 11997 total posts
Name:
Because 2 people fell in love
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
I don't think asking a question shows ignorance. I have had people assume I spoke spanish fluently, russian and greek. I have never once thought anyone was ignorant for asking the question because they thought I did by my looks and I have never been offended either.
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:29 PM |
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
Posted by Leeners
It's not WRONG, it's what my experience is so right back at ya.
First of all, Japanese features, moreso than probably any other Asian ethnicity, are pretty distinct. That's what the post was about and to me, a Chinese person very very VERY rarely looks like a Japanese person. Do people make mistakes? Sure! It happens. However, there are fairly distinctive features for each of the ethnicities and IMO to just assume you'll never be able to tell so why would you bother to try is ignorant.
I would encourage you all to take this test:
All Look Same.com
Not necessarily to see if you're "good" at it or not but to see the answers and try to find similar features across each of the three ethnicities present.
that is it...IT IS OF YOUR EXPERIENCE
and i highly doubt you could pick people out ALL of the time...
AND AGAIN...i have taken the time to learn about my firends cultures....And i can still say learning does NOTHING about picking them out of a crowd and knowing....
ESPECIALLY Philipino......They have such a range of look that you wouldn't be able to "pick" them out from someone of other Asian decents
I do not need to take your test...i don't claim to "know" any better than anyone else after "education"
Message edited 3/2/2006 2:30:43 PM.
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:29 PM |
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BabyAvocado
Happy New Year
Member since 5/05 17334 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
Posted by DMcK
I didn't say it was okay, I don't think it is, I was just trying to explain the background of why some might find it offensive.
No, I didn't you personally were saying it was okay  . What I meant was why do some people think it is okay to call someone asking the question "ignorant" but the hatred and prejudice that the Asian person is showing is acceptable. KWIM?
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:30 PM |
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CowgirlChick97
Nike. Just do it.
Member since 5/05 3303 total posts
Name:
Brianna
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
nope..not at all...
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:30 PM |
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
Posted by Redhead
Posted by Leeners
It's not WRONG, it's what my experience is so right back at ya.
First of all, Japanese features, moreso than probably any other Asian ethnicity, are pretty distinct. That's what the post was about and to me, a Chinese person very very VERY rarely looks like a Japanese person. Do people make mistakes? Sure! It happens. However, there are fairly distinctive features for each of the ethnicities and IMO to just assume you'll never be able to tell so why would you bother to try is ignorant.
I would encourage you all to take this test:
All Look Same.com
Not necessarily to see if you're "good" at it or not but to see the answers and try to find similar features across each of the three ethnicities present.
I just went to that site and got 16/18!
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:30 PM |
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
Posted by BabyAvocado
Posted by DMcK
I didn't say it was okay, I don't think it is, I was just trying to explain the background of why some might find it offensive.
No, I didn't you personally were saying it was okay . What I meant was why do some people think it is okay to call someone asking the question "ignorant" but the hatred and prejudice that the Asian person is showing is acceptable. KWIM?
Gotcha. That is a good question and probably just another endless unanswerable one when dealing with racism and prejudice.
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:31 PM |
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luvsun27
Check out my cool glasses
Member since 5/05 8135 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
My parents went to Hong Kong many years ago...they took a tour bus for sight-seeing. The tour guide spoke english and said to everyone, "you all look alike to us too". All the people on the tour thought it was hysterical 
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:33 PM |
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Chatham-Chick
*********************
Member since 5/05 10311 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
Filipinos, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese & Thais definitely have different features. They're quite distinguishable unless they are of a mixed race and even then you can still distinguish certain characteristics.
There's no way someone from Thailand looks Chinese or Japanese.
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:34 PM |
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
Posted by Chatham-Chick
Filipinos, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese & Thais definitely have different features. They're quite distinguishable unless they are of a mixed race and even then you can still distinguish certain characteristics.
There's no way someone from Thailand looks Chinese or Japanese.
Sorry but that isn't true
ETA...they may have features that are common...but that doesn't mean that they are distinguishable ALL of the time
And both of my friends are 100% Phillipino
Theya re husband and wife and you would think that they came from entirely different countries
Message edited 3/2/2006 2:37:16 PM.
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:35 PM |
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Leeners
:)
Member since 5/05 4898 total posts
Name:
Eileen
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
Posted by DMcK
I just went to that site and got 16/18!
 better than me - I only got 15/18.
So no, Redhead, not all the time but obviously, as you can see, if people were to try a little bit, you can be right a lot of the time.
Message edited 3/2/2006 2:37:11 PM.
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:35 PM |
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karacg
Babygirl is 4!
Member since 5/05 17076 total posts
Name:
Kara®
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
China is a HUGE country and the typical characteristics are so variable that there is no "pattern".
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:35 PM |
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Leeners
:)
Member since 5/05 4898 total posts
Name:
Eileen
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
Posted by Redhead
Posted by Chatham-Chick
Filipinos, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese & Thais definitely have different features. They're quite distinguishable unless they are of a mixed race and even then you can still distinguish certain characteristics.
There's no way someone from Thailand looks Chinese or Japanese.
Sorry but that isn't true
Why is it so difficult for you to believe this???? Obviously some of us can distinguish so it's certainly not "not true". I'm not sure I understand your blind resistance to this 
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:36 PM |
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Chatham-Chick
*********************
Member since 5/05 10311 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
Posted by Redhead
Posted by Chatham-Chick
Filipinos, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese & Thais definitely have different features. They're quite distinguishable unless they are of a mixed race and even then you can still distinguish certain characteristics.
There's no way someone from Thailand looks Chinese or Japanese.
Sorry but that isn't true
ask someone who's actually Thai, Chinese or Japanese and see if they feel differently.
What ethnicity are your friends? They might be able to help you distinguish the difference.
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:36 PM |
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PiyoPika566
talk to the hand
Member since 5/05 1436 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
OK.. an Asian person over here...
to answer the original question - NO, I personally do not think it's ignorant to ask an Asian person if he/she can understand certain Asian language, if the situation was approached the right way.
I can tell the difference between different Asian backgrounds, and usually I am 98% right.. HOWEVER, the point here is to NEVER ASSUME...
and it is VERY POSSIBLE that a Thai person can look Chinese or Japanese, or vice versa.
ETA: typos
Message edited 3/2/2006 2:38:34 PM.
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:37 PM |
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
Posted by Chatham-Chick
Posted by Redhead
Posted by Chatham-Chick
Filipinos, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese & Thais definitely have different features. They're quite distinguishable unless they are of a mixed race and even then you can still distinguish certain characteristics.
There's no way someone from Thailand looks Chinese or Japanese.
Sorry but that isn't true
ask someone who's actually Thai, Chinese or Japanese and see if they feel differently.
What ethnicity are your friends? They might be able to help you distinguish the difference.
Like i said...i have. I have 2 friends that are Phillipino and two that are Japanese...
My friend who is Japanese actually thought my friends wife was the same...
and she WAS NOT
ETA...so who should i ask now 
Message edited 3/2/2006 2:39:33 PM.
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:38 PM |
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karacg
Babygirl is 4!
Member since 5/05 17076 total posts
Name:
Kara®
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
And why should it be an insult if you think someone from one Asian country is from a different one? Now wouldn't that person be racist for getting offended???
If you were travelling in China and someone asked you if you were....Norwegian say ....would you find that "offensive"??
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:39 PM |
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pmpkn087
Life is good...
Member since 9/05 18504 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
Posted by Leeners
So no, Redhead, not all the time but obviously, as you can see, if people were to try a little bit, you can be right a lot of the time.
IMO, we can only assume what nationality someone is...we can't know for sure without asking them.
DH is 1/2 German and 1/2 Puerto Rican and until they hear his last name, nobody has ever guessed that he is Puerto Rican.
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:39 PM |
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MrsERod
Praying for Everyone.
Member since 5/05 26170 total posts
Name:
MrsERod™®
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
i must be REALLY ignorant - i only got 2 right!!!!
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:41 PM |
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PiyoPika566
talk to the hand
Member since 5/05 1436 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
Posted by karacg
And why should it be an insult if you think someone from one Asian country is from a different one? Now wouldn't that person be racist for getting offended???
If you were travelling in China and someone asked you if you were....Norwegian say ....would you find that "offensive"??
not sure why you say it would be an insult.. I personally get asked if I am Korean ALL THE TIME (I have Korean features I guess) but I am not Korean.. I am not insulted when people ask me that. BUT I absolutely HATE it when people ask me "so what are you? Korean? Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese?"
What I am is HUMAN, thank you
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:41 PM |
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baghag
:P
Member since 5/05 10278 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
Being Filipina, (who doesn't speak a word of Tagalog) I would not have been offended by your question, and I don't think it is ignorant.
As for telling different races apart, that's a gamble, IMO. Sure, there are some distinguishing features, and a good portion of the time you can make an educated guess. But educated guesses can be wrong too. I have mistaken other Asians for Filipinos- mostly Thai and Cambodians.
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:42 PM |
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Summer05
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 2320 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you think this is ignorant?
Posted by MrsERod
i must be REALLY ignorant - i only got 2 right!!!!
I only got 4 right 
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| Posted 3/2/06 2:43 PM |
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