I feel like impression about Asians is very different from a majority of Asians, or Americans. I was adopted at 6 months old and was raised in a suburban, predominately white community. To the world of people that don’t know me personally they see Asian, sometimes Hispanic which is always weird when they start speaking spanish and all I can do is stare back and smile. That is one of my biggest pet peeves for obvious reasons. From that background when I see someone else who looks Asian, one of my first thoughts is, will they see me and think that I’m “not Asian enough.”
My general impression about Asians is that they are people just like everyone else first, then they are Asian, just like anyone who is Hispanic is a person before they are Hispanic in my head. I usually find that if there are a couple of Asians put in a group, the will gravitate towards each other, but who doesn’t gravitate towards what’s familiar? Due to the family values a lot of Asians were raised with, they work hard and are respectful towards their elders.
Some Asians think very highly of Americans. In the Philippines, people would see my parents and in a heart beat be there to help them in stores, give them taxi rides, and in general you could see a sense of respect solely based on their appearance. Other times American are seen to be ignorant. Big headed, money grubbing, selfish, pompous individuals. Of course, there are exceptions for both cultures.
The third question depends a lot on what aspect of engineering is being discussed. American engineering is done with cost, time, and quality somewhat equally considered. Asian engineering, again depending on which aspect of engineering is being discussed, is done quickly and in the masses. Pros of American engineering, its high quality enough to get the job done pretty well while being relatively affordable. Cons, when the demand of a product is high, it is difficult to keep productrion rates high. Pros of Asian engineering, things are done quickly and in large quantities. Cons, quick and in bulk cuts into quality.
If I were planning to study or work in Asia, I would like to learn more about the mindset of the culture. In the Philippines there was a less dismal feeling. Maybe because it was only a visit, but still less dismal than big cities here that people are so focused on getting from point A to B without any regard to the people around them. I would most be afraid of the communication barrier. I unfortunately do not know any other language than English.
I have one of the same problems as you. When I meet with other black people, I always come away with the impression that they think “He is not really black” or “You are the whitest black guy I know.” I don’t eat fried chicken, horrible at basketball, and hate rap music. That is not very black, is it? Although raised in a black neighborhood, I have been in prominently white schools. I know what it is like to feel inadequate against people of your own race. It is something that, although annoying, I have learned to deal with in my own way.
ReplyDeleteI agree somewhat with the outlooks some Asian cultures have towards American culture. As described in Michael Crichton's book " Rising Sun" , an Asian culture, the Japanese seem to keep business and close connections between themselves , as there is a bit of distrust in the working ways of Americans as well as towards their open and liberal behavior. It also includes where they look down upon a person who wasn't "Japanese enough" , which is extremely wrong and biased.
ReplyDeleteAs for the engineering part of it, you might say that quality is reduced in producing for bulk, but that is not true so much these days. Car companies like Ford don't sell much in countries like China, because they have learnt to be more fuel efficient with their car designs. Also, countries like Japan are filled with innovative designs for new electronic products , both built for quality and mass production. Perhaps this is a phase of change from the outlook we ourselves have had towards Asian cultures and is a step towards globalization engr 103.