8Asians.com - Latest Comments

Re: ABC’s Modern Family: “I’m from Denver.”

slinslin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:20:32 -0000

while i definitely dig that asian americans are getting more representation on tv ('i'm from denver.'), there's still something that sits uncomfortably with me about this scene. beyond "look how ignorant white people are, winkwinknudgenudge", the white character suffers annoyed looks from his partner while the asian american doctor is still the only one left to deal with this ignorance. there needs to be more asian american characters that directly address this kind of ignorance, whether it be mercilessly clowning, tongue lashing, or going ape sh*t, to drive home the point.

Re: Random Rant: Karaoke ≠ Carry-okie

twitter-53284561 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:12:13 -0000

oh damn Joz! u can shoot me now cuz I've been calling it carry-okie for the longest time! My family actually pronounces it, I guess more similar to the Japanese way.

But I'm sorta used to hearing Americans, including myself, butcher other words that come from other languages. I think it's a mixture of what people have previously commented, that some people are just either lazy to pronounce or some people aren't just used to the sounds. I mean I think there's a reason why the British also laugh at the way Americans (USA) speak English as well

I mean just take Kobe Bryant for example. Majority of Americans, including him, just say "Ko-BEE" and not Ko-Beh

Maybe people should start correcting others more, just like how Russell Peters says Latinos immediately correct people who don't pronounce Spanish words correctly.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vi...

We can start with last names, especially Cantonese and Vietnamese =)

Re: Random Rant: Karaoke ≠ Carry-okie

equinoxa — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:39:40 -0000

Most of it annoys me when it is something easy to say for an English-only speaker.
I have been doing research into feelings about this and it is overwhelmingly "Who cares". I've been becoming obsessed with this topic lately and I am feeling so alone. I want to say why this saddens me, so please deal with my frantic tone, I want to be helpful. English American speakers in particular appear cocky to the world and the way we say things might help a little. Some Japanese doesn't sound natural in English, kala-oh-kay for example seems a mouthful but sa-kay? ki-mo-no, tem-pura. That is easy. They hear it said right and almost don't seem to hear because they don't care or they don't want to. People who don't care seem to be mostly the people who say it wrong. It's stubbornness. When I say things right people question, I politely explain, and then sometimes they seem almost defensive. They keep saying saki, kamono, tempora (where did the o come from?) Almost as if it's un-American to even try. I wonder if it has to do with our relationship with Japan. We still view the Japanese as weird, almost the most foreign of foreign. But French? We, to my knowledge all attempt hors d'oeuvres, Ménage à trois. We can deal with the silent letters, THEIR e sounds. Because French is a part of our language? And until recently it was a part of a well bred person's education? I'm just a housewife, but that is my understanding. I do realize the Japanese take everyone else's words and butcher them. Here is my defense. Firstly, they have a more limited set of sounds. Some things they have to butcher, my first and last name included. Then some they butcher further, things are chopped and glued together, maybe not understanding the full meaning of the word and maybe to make it more palatable to their ears? They want our words, but they are Japanese and some insiders even consider the country very xenophobic. Ok, it is their business if they want to look like that. Americans, some of us are very xenophobic, but most natives I know well are fairly open-minded to other cultures blending in. It is why our country as it is, from the beginning of the US as it is it was imported. Some people say proudly, "This is America" and get scared of new things. But I want to say with acceptance of our past imports and future ones "This is America!" And language helps to shape things. Language changes, especially when people don't have easy access to knowledge? But we aren't living in a century without access for everyone to research. When I am on a computer, it takes me less time to research a word in an online dictionary than one in book form. But I was troubled to see that a few trusted online dictionaries don't give good pronunciation. I really lost trust in them. Common newly adopted foreign words are said wrong, and the right pronunciation is alternative, if it is listed at all! I can tolerate sake sounding as saki, but don't shove the correct pronunciation and spelling aside. It looks terrible. It also makes trouble for people learning a language. When they think something is right, it becomes a habit, and when they are speaking in Spanish, guacamoli is what they say because of habit. My own friends who studied Japanese still say saki, main-ga because it is such a habit! I'm scared I will go to a restaurant, order sake from a menu that says saki and the waitress will correct my pronunciation because she read the "correct" pronunciation from dictionary.com. I want us to look a little better if it is easy.

Re: ABC’s Modern Family: “I’m from Denver.”

facebook-55101475 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:27:28 -0000

Also, I hope she wasn't hating on pho!

Re: Jeffrey Chiang: Business School Asians Behaving Badly

csc3 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:33:47 -0000

good luck with the rest of your life, jeffrey.

Re: Jeffrey Chiang: Business School Asians Behaving Badly

johnminh — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:28:34 -0000

He sounds like a perfect candidate for "disgrasian of the weak."

Re: ABC’s Modern Family: “I’m from Denver.”

johnklin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:55:04 -0000

I've never been bowed to for work (though I did bow a few times while I was in Japan for work). I have been asked if I have a Chinese name. And I've blogged before when I first started work right out of college, an older co-worker asked where I was from, and I said Massachusetts, he asked "Where are you *really* from?" I said my parents were originally from Taiwan.

Re: Jeffrey Chiang: Business School Asians Behaving Badly

jeffat8asians — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:57:56 -0000

"5K Marathon" ha, that's great! My first 5K was so bad, it felt like a marathon.

Re: ABC’s Modern Family: “I’m from Denver.”

facebook-55101475 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:44:38 -0000

Ha. I've definitely been bowed to at least once in the workplace.

Re: ABC’s Modern Family: “I’m from Denver.”

eforeric — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:23:53 -0000

That's pretty hilarious mocking how typical white Americans view Asian culture. This happens all the time to me. I was asked the other day what my Asian name is. My name is Eric, I'm from New York City haha.

Re: ABC’s Modern Family: “I’m from Denver.”

csc3 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:02:28 -0000

hahaha that's a great clip

Re: ABC’s Modern Family: “I’m from Denver.”

LindaChan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:32:12 -0000

This is one of my favorite new fall shows too, and I remember this scene. :) Why do white people always bow to Asian Americans thinking that isn't weird/uncomfortable to us (well, me, anyway)?

Re: Protests Against New “Geisha” Bar

facebook-587730633 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:12:48 -0000

So, is it open yet or what? All this free and frenzied publicity for the place, sheesh...Moye, if you want to check it out and just see what it's all about (maybe even interview Mr. Wu the owner a tad), I'll go with.

Re: Being Asian Can Prevent Promotions?

facebook-826217505 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:57:19 -0000

Seems to me the real issue here is your definition of "promotion." The initial blurb quoted in the blog post, and the study referenced in the SJ Mercury News discuss high-level positions, not just being promoted through the ranks. Having a "ceiling" means a point past which you cannot go unless you are white and male. Maybe the room is getting taller, but there's still an upstairs many of us cannot go.

(not Asian, but female)

Re: Should We Let Giant Pandas Go Extinct?

facebook-826217505 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:47:08 -0000

This is similar to the uproar over the Spotted Owl from years back. True conservation isn't about saving a single species; it's about preserving entire habitats. You don't save the panda, you save where it lives. You find sustainable products and processes. In turn, this saves a lot of species.

Of course, you still need to poke people with the PR pitch now and then: Don't eat pandas (PEOPLE EAT PANDA MEAT???), don't eat whales, don't eat/medicate with/starve then fear tigers or rhinos, careful with the sharks, too ... don't wear cheetahs ... don't make ashtrays from gorillas ... try to catch tuna, not dolphins, etc...

Re: CNN: Margaret Chin Poised to be 1st Chinese-American to Represent N.Y.’s Chinatown

eforeric — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:39:14 -0000

I'm proud of all the candidates, Liu, Chin and Koo for winning in their respective offices. Especially excited for John Liu as the first Asian American to hold a citywide office. It took a long time for an Asian American to get here but I feel this is another positive and exciting step forward to the future. I hope they all have continued success.

Re: From the Tumblr: Yuta Onoda

facebook-1030950020 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:05:30 -0000

this tumblr idea brillant! keep up the great work and ideas!

Re: CNN: Margaret Chin Poised to be 1st Chinese-American to Represent N.Y.’s Chinatown

johnklin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:46:16 -0000

NYC elects first Asian to citywide office
"Democrat John Liu (LOO) easily defeated Republican challenger Joe Mendola in Tuesday's election for comptroller. Liu had 76 percent of the vote with 100 percent of precincts reporting. Liu's family emigrated from Taiwan when he was a child."
http://www.examiner.com/a-2302551~NYC_elects_fi...

Re: CNN: Margaret Chin Poised to be 1st Chinese-American to Represent N.Y.’s Chinatown

johnklin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:45:12 -0000

Chinese-American wins seat in NYC's Chinatown
http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php...

Re: CNN: Margaret Chin Poised to be 1st Chinese-American to Represent N.Y.’s Chinatown

johnklin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:44:39 -0000

I had blogged about this earlier - at least that he was likely to win.

Strong Showing for Asian Americans in NYC Primaries
http://www.8asians.com/2009/09/18/strong-showin...

and Linda had blogged this:

Runoff Election Tonight in NYC: John C. Liu Vs. David Yassky for City Comptroller
http://www.8asians.com/2009/09/29/runoff-electi...

Re: CNN: Margaret Chin Poised to be 1st Chinese-American to Represent N.Y.’s Chinatown

SimonTsui — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:50:39 -0000

You guys are missing the biggest scoop!

According to the New York Times as of 12:34AM:
John Liu (D) won with 76% of the vote (696,330) for NYC Comptroller. He is the first Asian-American to win a citywide office in NYC.

Margaret Chin (D) also won City Council 1st District with reportedly more than a whopping 85% of the vote! She is the first Asian-American elected to represent the city's historic Chinatown in Manhattan.

Peter Koo (R) won John Liu's vacated seat for City Council 20th District with 50% against Yen Chou's (D) 45%.

Re: Small Asians, Big Eaters

johnklin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:59:05 -0000

Interview with Sonya Thomas and Juliet Lee
July 4th, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqxXAorAEmw

Re: End of SF’s Energy 92.7 Brings Format Changes, Anti-Asian DJs

Cat_D — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:49:22 -0000

UGH! I hate the new station! I miss the pop remixes that you never hear anywhere else, the local community ads, and Fernando and Greg on my way to work in the morning. Way to kill the culture, new owners!

Re: Japanese Dolphin-Hunting Exposed in New Documentary

twitter-32715100 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:51:58 -0000

Sorry to back to this old topic, but I haven't seen the movie yet.

I heard it was having some positive impact but not sure how much.

Is the hunting just as graphic as this video? I read that they stop not too long ago like a year or two ago for the sake of health concerns. Maybe Japan should go with this reasoning since it's culturally neutral.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5Wut0AxM_A

Re: Small Asians, Big Eaters

avaorac — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:10:22 -0000

Takeru Kobayashi is sent by the Japanese TV show "TV Champion" to kick American arses in fast eating because he couldn't make it as the #1 big eater in Japan at the time (He lost to Giant Shirada in 2001). Japan has a number of big eaters (not necessarily fast eaters, which is the competition in the US) promoted by TV Champion for over 10 year, and almost all of them are tiny men and women. On Japanese TV there are specials such as 100 men vs 10 - 100 hungry manly-man tag team versus 10 big eater tag team. And yes the big eaters won. The most famous big eater in Japan now is Gyaru Sone, a tiny ex-chef of a 109-gyaru who once an sundae as tall as her. Big eating shows was banned in Japan for a few years when some kids almost killed themselves trying to emulate them; but I think the ban has been lifted because I see Gyaru Sone everywhere on J-TV nowdays.

I guess the point is - Big Eaters are usually small in statue, and Asians dominate so much in this field that the loser of a TV show came to the US and dominated Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest for years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV_Champion
http://blog.watanabepro.co.jp/gyarusone/index.html

*it's so sad that the English entry in Wikipedia about TV Champion is so short. It's one of the most entertaining show ever created by mankind.