Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Nope. Not from around here, I’m afraid.
You know you’re in an area where people rarely mix, when you get the racial slurs thrown at you for not looking like, well, them. Not knowing the area too well, I don’t bother getting involved, because it’s either A) dangerous, or B) has an adverse effect by showing my irritation.
I wasn’t expecting open arms, but it isn’t particularly pleasant when I’m in the middle of England and some teenagers are screaming “You chinky!” out of the car at me. Or some delinquent 12-year-olds smoking fags at the train station are chirping, “Hey Ting Tong! Ting Tong! You got some light?” If I was the mother, I would have smacked the kid right there.
My colleagues are more worldly and don’t gawk at me as if they have never seen a Japanese person (or Asian). But I feel a little self-conscious when I step into town. (London, of course, is not a part of this story). It’s not always negative attention, but it still makes me self-conscious. I was sitting down at the hotel lounge, when 4 businessmen (one of them was a Singaporean) were stealing glances and trying to guess which nationality I was. Yes, I can hear your conversation. I speak English too.
I find half of this amusing, and the other half a pondering of whether I should even try to inform the other party of what I am. It’s none of their business, really.
I’m just me, and I’m a whole lotta’ attitude.
I wasn’t expecting open arms, but it isn’t particularly pleasant when I’m in the middle of England and some teenagers are screaming “You chinky!” out of the car at me. Or some delinquent 12-year-olds smoking fags at the train station are chirping, “Hey Ting Tong! Ting Tong! You got some light?” If I was the mother, I would have smacked the kid right there.
My colleagues are more worldly and don’t gawk at me as if they have never seen a Japanese person (or Asian). But I feel a little self-conscious when I step into town. (London, of course, is not a part of this story). It’s not always negative attention, but it still makes me self-conscious. I was sitting down at the hotel lounge, when 4 businessmen (one of them was a Singaporean) were stealing glances and trying to guess which nationality I was. Yes, I can hear your conversation. I speak English too.
I find half of this amusing, and the other half a pondering of whether I should even try to inform the other party of what I am. It’s none of their business, really.
I’m just me, and I’m a whole lotta’ attitude.
// posted by sakit @ 5:43 AM 
Comments:
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Yes, very weird isn't it? I got the same even from the local Chinese shopkeepers and restaurant owners.
Keep in mind though, Corby's a tough city. The guys here from Birmingham even said it. Hang in there. You'll find some gems.
Keep in mind though, Corby's a tough city. The guys here from Birmingham even said it. Hang in there. You'll find some gems.
Kick ass, take names. And use your inherent martial art skills.
Sorry you have to face all that racism in England. Although it obviously wasn't so bad where I was, the classism and racial stereotypes were still rampant. Many an English person couldn't distinguish me from my Asian and Asian American classmates even though we looked NOTHING alike. And I knew a lady who was lovely in every way except that she thought Native Americans were inherently susceptible to alcoholism. I guess they like living on reservations and running casinos, too.
Anyway, I hope things get better. Show them how people should really be treated.
Sorry you have to face all that racism in England. Although it obviously wasn't so bad where I was, the classism and racial stereotypes were still rampant. Many an English person couldn't distinguish me from my Asian and Asian American classmates even though we looked NOTHING alike. And I knew a lady who was lovely in every way except that she thought Native Americans were inherently susceptible to alcoholism. I guess they like living on reservations and running casinos, too.
Anyway, I hope things get better. Show them how people should really be treated.
# posted by 
: 7:22 PM
: 7:22 PM
Well, it works the other way around too. My mother, browsing through my pictures, noted that my very italian friend looked like my cousin's white-american husband, who's blonde, blue-eyed and probably 25 pounds heavier.
Ahahaha - well, Lorrie, you don't look Asian. You're like this hybrid-looking creature (even though you claim your pure roots). But my bets are on that you are actually that Welch's grape juice girl.
Hm. I can see how the reverse works too, Mel. I'm also finding that there are lots of recurring names - Ian, Steve, William, etc. I get confused about which English person I am talking to at times.
Hm. I can see how the reverse works too, Mel. I'm also finding that there are lots of recurring names - Ian, Steve, William, etc. I get confused about which English person I am talking to at times.
I am sorry to hear that you got some racism comments. When I lived in Northampton, I got a few of those too, but only very rarely. Don't worry too much. Just ignore them. Actually Northants isnt that bad. It is worse up north!
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