Has anyone ever felt really sick of having to explain their whole family history down to where your grandparents were from? Maybe it's just me, but this seems to happen a lot at the hairdressers! マジめんどくさいし!! Leave me alone ってかんじ笑
I've noticed that a lot of Americans will start listing all their Irish, Norwegian and x heritages (that are not actual influences on their life) when they learn that I'm half-Japanese, as if they are trying to compete with me in some kind of who-is-the-most-multiracial contest. I think it can be more frustrating than just having to talk about my background.
But there is definitely something about having to tell your life story at the hairdressers. I guess it helps to pass the time!
I really don't mind people asking me about my background. Maybe because palestine is not a very known country for Japanese, I am very happy to tell them how the culture and the lives are like over there. I am so sure there are misunderstanding and stereotypes of my people, I think it is a good chance for me to correct that.
Also, people asking us about our background is just like how everyone ask eachother about their special fields or anythings that they have more knowledge on. If you say you are otaku, every one may ask you lots about that field again and again. I don't think it is an issue at all to me. I like people who are curious too!
Yes, I know this problem. Sometimes I have to explain why I dont drink beer, although I'm from Germany. I'm sorry for not living up to expectations and clichés that exist in Japan. But then again... what am I writing here. I'm not even ハーフ :)
Nao: Thats it! I often find myself in a who-is-the-most-multiracial contest when talking to Americans. I dont know why exactly they list up their heritage as they have absolutely nothing in common with the European culture or people who grew up in this environment.
「出身はどこなんですかぁ?」と聞かれて
「東京です」と正直に答えると
'You know what I mean!' って顔される。
*Yeah, I know what you mean! You want to know what 外国 I'm from. 外人に見えるかも知れないけど、生まれも育ちも日本なんだよ〜!*
と心の中で叫んで、
「あっ!母はカナダ出身なんですよぉ。」と愛想よく付け加える。
「へ〜!カナダのどこなんですか?」
*ってあなたはカナダに詳しいわけ?どうせバンクーバーくらいしかしらないんじゃないの?*と思うが
「オンタリオの○○っていう街です。」と答えると相手は
「ふ〜ん...バンクーバーなら知ってるけどね。」と何故か得意げ...orz
Sometimes it's ok, sometimes not.
I think I've been asked the same old question for so many times, I wonder why I still can't answer satisfactory.
My favorite one tho:
"Ah! That's the wrong question. (Try again)"
Or, yeah,
"Heard of a planet called earth? "
Which kindda set off some giggles but then they ask an even worse question afterwards:
"No, seriously.. ?"
Then when I thought I'll keep it simple to those strangers that I'll never meet again and say I'm from UK and then they'll get excited and say, "Really, where from? I used to live in... "
And then I'm in trouble 'cause I've never ever been there! (and feel silly for trying to take a shortcut in the first place..)
Wow, it's really interesting to read everyone's opinions and experiences, not to mention entertaining! 同じような経験をしてる人は結構居るね。うれしい!
やっぱり日本は基本的に人種は日本人しかいないし、世界でも数少ない homogeneous country だから見た目がちょっとでも違ったら、注目を浴びちゃうのかもね?
まあ、that can be a good thing I guess, but I just sometimes get SO tired of being judged and treated differently because of the way I look. I know people don't mean to be annoying but it bloody well can be!!!
You are blessed with not just one but two cultures. Enjoy them. What annoys you, you can have fun with
I remember when I was a kid my mom and I would go to a JPN market in LA (she's full blooded Italian). We'd be speaking fluent JPN and people'd be staring at us like WTF?
Anyway, you know JPN housewives freak when strangers, especially gaijin, talk to them right?
So we'd just start f*cking with the ones staring at us like...
すいません奥さん!カレーのルゥなんすけどこれとこれどっちがお勧めですか?or something like that
And they just be frozen and all あぁ...は...あの...えーと?(; ̄□ ̄A アセアセ
Like Ken, I totally agree, its not a big deal when people ask where I'm from or what race I am. It happens alot all the time but its not a bad thing at all. People are simply intrigued because they don't see a half everyday.
I once met this girl waiting at Schipol and I couldn't resist asking what nationality she was. She turned out to be half chinese, quarter malay, quarter indian brit.
Curiosity is a basic human instinct so no matter how much you wanna winge about this it won't stop so might as well consider yourself lucky as you have an awesome icebreaker!
How many people did you eplain your race in freshers week???
Thought I'd add that image explaining the diff between Chi-Jap-Kor coz its silly-funny.
私も「なに人?」の質問めっちゃ嫌い。。ムカツクんじゃなくってメッチャ答えにくいねん。国籍日本人でお母さんはジャマイカ籍の混血でお爺ちゃんインド人、・・・・・・ひいばあちゃんでもうシリアにたどり着くほどややこしい家系だし、何人?っていう民族意識がないです。
今まで一民族国家文化の日本にとっては自分の家系を意識するけど多民族の南米系にはそんなんしらん!!who cares!?って感じです。
でも自分のrootsが多いほどmakes me think I'm so lucky♪