Monday, June 25, 2012

Ni Hao, I'm not Chinese.


First, I want to say that, when I was younger, I would have been tickled that there was a show with an Asian character. I was happy Disney incorporated Asian mushrooms in Fantasia so that's how little my people were represented. Anyway, then Mulan came and now Kai-Lan. So, I'm happy. Really. See, here's the tiny thing. I'm not Chinese. There are a ton of people who know like one word in Chinese - Ni-Hao. Super, great for them. Really. So, they try it out on every Asian person they see. This has happened to me. A bunch of times. In different states. I'll ignore it if it is by a toddler who probably thinks I am Kai-Lan, but adults should know better. I should just learn enough Korean to respond outraged. Unfortunately, I can't wear my "Does this shirt make me look Korean?" shirt all the time.

2 comments:

Brandi said...

Have you ever watched Pucca? It's on Netflix. She's Korean (the show was originally aired in South Korea). Amelia watches it all the time.

(And really? People say ni hao to you? That's crazy.)

princessapr said...

I'll have to check it out. I have traditionally been assumed to be Chinese (even from Chinese people).

I have gotten Ni Hao before - at the park and at a farm, odd places.

Our library has a ton of Korean books - both about Koreans and about adopted Koreans. I've gotten some from Laura. Our current books are about Chinese families though. She's not interested.

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