Posts Tagged ‘strangers’
Let me be clear.
On this blog I am chronicling a particular kind of experience. I hope to connect with people who have shared this experience, or who are interested in examining the ways that race comes up in conversations between strangers, distinguishing between what is “acceptable” and what is “objectionable”, and lastly, how a person can deal with [...]
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Tags: chinese, conversations, hong kong, japanese, strangers, travel
Herald Square, 2007.
From fall 2006-fall 2007 i had an incredibly stressful job based in Herald Square. It was stressful because the office politics had gotten out of hand. My co-workers and I had a very unhealthy relationship; there were upsetting gender roles, passive-aggressive emails, power struggles, issues of respect for each others’ strengths, and on top of [...]
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Tags: chinese, conversations, flushing, herald square, japanese, strangers
August 22, Peking Road.
I had a bit of a deja vu moment while walking around Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon last weekend. There are a lot of South Asian guys who hang out around there and ask if you want to buy watches and handbags. One said to me, “Where is Kowloon Hotel?” I told him I didn’t [...]
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Tags: conversations, hong kong, japanese, korean, south asian, strangers
Left that country.
I live in Hong Kong now. I left my apartment and life in New York and took two suitcases and a duffle bag with me. (I got a grant to work here for a year.)
About two weeks before I left, when I was home taking stock of all the things in my apartment I don’t [...]
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Tags: china, clinton hill, conversations, hong kong, irksome, strangers, wtf
From the mailbag.
I’ve been meaning to write about interesting interactions I’ve had with other Asians who assume I’m something other than Chinese. Whether at a Korean deli or a Chinese nail salon, I usually enjoy these exchanges. But sometimes they definitely get awkward (more on that later).
Here’s a relevant story from a contributor:
New York City, NY
Greeting me [...]
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Tags: chinese, conversations, japanese, strangers
More for me.
Today I decided to go get a hearty lunch for cheap so I headed to Jimi’s on Jay Street to get over a pound of rice and Chinese/Spanish food for $5.50.
At the hot foods counter the guy serving me said, “Chinese?” I said yes. He then proceeded to heap extra beef stew and soft [...]
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Tags: chinese, DUMBO, food, strangers
Send me your stories.
I’ve created an email address for people to send me their stories. What I want to know is: what do strangers say to you with regard to your race? Whether it made you laugh or upset you or just puzzled you, send it to me and I may post it here. I won’t include your [...]
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Tags: conversations, strangers
That drunk guy at the ballpark.
I got to attend Game 2 at Citi Field on Wednesday and had a pretty fantastic time. The new stadium reminded me a bit of my hometown Giants’ AT&T Park, with plenty of room to walk around during the game while still being able to see the field. I took all of the 8th inning [...]
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Tags: baseball, conversations, flushing, irksome, strangers
A few weeks ago, Clinton Hill.
I need some good comebacks. I love Brooklyn and I love my neighborhood, but recently I’ve run into some icky situations that have made me want to completely stop being friendly. First, the creepy guy with the gold grill who works at the supermarket tried to hug and kiss me. I’ve always just said hi [...]
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Tags: clinton hill, irksome, strangers
Kim Jong-il is sick and so am I.
Mr. Kim may be ailing, in hospital, and could have suffered a stroke in August. With Castro relinquishing control of Cuba to his brother, it appears this generation of dictators are facing something an oppressive regime can’t control: old age.
In my old age of 26, I am sick as well, not with the cold or [...]
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Tags: fort greene, irksome, korea, strangers
Oof, catching up.
I don’t know if I should continue this blogging enterprise, as I seem to spend more time thinking about posting than actually posting.
I wrote an overdramatic piece yesterday about the earthquake in China and my anger at the Myanmar junta, but I don’t know if those musings will make it to this space. I think [...]
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Tags: chinese, conversations, japanese, strangers, tribeca
Atlantic Avenue at Waverly.
Friday night/Saturday morning around 4 am:
While I’m walking home, a guy on the street says, “China doll! Looooove you! Looooove yoooooou!”
It made me laugh. I was on my way back from my third karaoke excursion in a week. I’ve been feeling so Chinese!
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Tags: chinese, clinton hill, strangers
Mashi mashi?
A few weeks ago I was walking up Clinton Avenue to indulge in deliciously greasy American Chinese food at Kum Kao, and passed by a man and his son who seemed to be waiting around for something. As I passed, the man said something like, “Have a good evening. Mashi mashi.”
I like it when people [...]
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Tags: clinton hill, irksome, japanese, strangers
