The Basics

These are a few things that I have learned over the past few years that I have been with Linda. This has no chronological order, just what I am remembering. Also, these are things told to me about beliefs of white people from the Asian culture.

1. (By far my favorite stereotype) White parents don't love their children.
-Now, I personally thought this was funny. I seems that this is a thought that Asian parents tell their kids. I have met quite a few Asian people and become friends with them, so I had to ask them if they were really told this growing up. To my amusement, 80% of my friends said that 'yes' they were. The phrasing I used when asking was "What did your parents tell you about white parents?" (or something like that) Most of the answers I received back matched stereotype #1. The reasoning behind this belief is that when white kids turn 18 or graduate from high school, they are encouraged to move out (or kicked out) by their parents. If they don't leave, they are charged 'rent'. As a white person, I know this is not always true, but will admit that it does happen.

2. The Bee-hive Effect.
-Something I have noticed when I lived in Mexico and also just observing other people is that when a person walks into an area that is not familiar to them and not knowing anyone there, they instantly (and subconciously) search out someone of their same race/nationality. This is ever so true with those from the Orient. It does not matter from which nationality their heritage is from, if your eyes are slanted, you are automatically a friend (until you prove yourself not worthy- just like everyone else). The Asian culture likes to stick together. And it would seem that marrying outside of said culture is something that takes other Asians aback (not a BAD thing...just unusual). Don't get me wrong, Linda gets along great with my parents and I feel loved when I go to her parent's house also.
-To better explain, here is an interesting accurance that happen to Linda a few days ago: Her and a classmate (an Asian guy) have a project due for one of their classes. They decided to meet a few days ago to go over a few things. Linda took her computer to help. When she set up everything, the first thing that showed up on the screen was Lexy's blog 'Lexyism'. At the time, it had a picture of Lexy. Linda's partner asked what the white lady was. Linda then responded, "My sister-in-law." The partner smirked and asked, "Heh, your brother married a white person?" Linda then answered with a simple 'No'. Mr. Partner then got a confused look on his face and asked another question. "You married a white boy?!?" After Linda's affirmative, all her partner could say was 'interesting'. And then everything went on as normal.

3. Asian Black Market
-It would seem that you can get anything and everything in Chinatown. In my time getting to know my wife, i have come to love trips to Chinatown to get things. There I have purchased items like cell phones that are unique because they (at the time) were not sold in the US. Have I mentioned that Chinatown is fun?

4. The Asian Hook-up
-Going along with #2 and #3, Asian people like to take care of each other. After Linda and I were married, I would need to go to the dentist or eye doctor for new glasses and so on. When I would get home, Linda would ask me how much I payed and was always floored at the price. It seems that she and her family always pay 1/2 of what I thought was normal. So, she sent me to see her doctors that she grew up going to see. I, having learned a little from beinging with her refused and said I would not get the same price as her because of my lack of melanin production (white skin) and that she would have to go with me and do all the talking. Needless to say, I DID go solo to my appointments, and sure enough I payed double what Linda normally payed. I told her (while laughing) and she freaked out and called her mom. Her mom freaked out and called the doctor's office. There were good reasons why I payed what I did and why Linda's family pays a different price, but not mentioning those reasons make this a lot funnier, so I will leave it at that.

5. Fear Factor- Not a factor
-Linda's brother Chong loves to watch 'Fear Factor'. Sometimes when we would go visit, he would be watching. Linda and I decided it would be a blast to be on that show because I think all the obsticle coarses look like a lot of fun. And Linda wants to be on for all the things that they make the girls eat. You know...the stuff that most white people look at and their face goes green. Linda concider these things delicacies. In fact, there have been times when we were watching and Linda starting laughing at a girl because she refused to eat whatever it was. Linda simply stated, 'I had that for dinner 3 nights ago.' Again, i have talked to a few of my other friends, and it is true...they consider things that a typical 'white boy' would not think edible a delicacy.