Stuff Asian People Like

Hello SAPL Family! It’s been a while since our last post, but I would like to announce one of Vannie’s last posts before she takes an extended leave from guest writing here at SAPL. Her submissions have been great for the Asian Community in that they’ve urged us to think deeper about our lives as Asian Americans and our place in society. This is a little more light hearted than the usual, but here goes!

If you think Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer had it bad, think again. The uncomfortable sensation we get when consuming alcohol, even worse, when the catcalls begin and the bombs start dropping. However, we’re so visible that our faces become red flags spotted from even a mile away. Yes, I’m talking about the dreaded case of the “Asian flush”.

After a short research rampage, I’ve realized that it’s not that we can’t hold our alcohol (well, I can speak for myself..). Rather, the mystery is attributed to a deficiency in the enzyme called acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (otherwise known as ALDH2)- which generally facilitates metabolism in breaking down alcohol within the body. According to a study conducted on 35 Asian-American men (http://www.annals.org/content/127/5/376.abstract), data show that as a result of this lack of enzyme function, it takes more time for Asians to process booze. Consequently, the dilation of blood vessels causes our miniature Asian faces to light up. Furthermore, those who lack this enzyme have an “elevated risk of developing esophageal cancer, especially among alcohol drinkers” (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071031090823.htm)

So, at the end of the night, it’s nothing to “blush” about. The next time you’re made fun of for your ruddy-hued appearance, don’t be embarrassed (even if you are, the moonshine can be applied for cover-up). There’s not much you can change about your Asian genes. Rather, think positive: the next time you’re out with an Asian crowd, hold a contest and see who glows the most in the dark.

Check out Cure, Prevention, and Treatment for Asian Flush here!

Happy (but safe) drinking!

Thanks again Vannie, and good luck with the rest of your studies!

Vannie Sung’s latest submission is about latitudinal differences between Asians in their own countries. There is definitely a divide that keeps Asians everywhere (especially in areas torn by war and ideology) from achieving true unity because they are so caught up in upholding their own cultural identities. Vannie poses a larger question at the end– can people co-exist with NO boundaries and maintain unique identities? Read this post and give us your opinion or experiences.

As I’ve mentioned before about alleged regional stereotypes between the West and East Coast here in the United States (see “East vs. West Coast Asian-Americans), it seems that there exist differences between the North and the South in Asian countries as well.

Imagine you’re filling out a survey and you come to the question that tells you to check off your race and/or ethnicity. Usually if the form is specific, we see these options “Asian” (usually applies if you’re from China, Japan, Thailand, etc.) and the separate option for “South Asian” ( associated with India, Pakistan, Nepal, etc.). Of course, then there’s the apparent split between North and South Korea (don’t forget Vietnam).

Regarding stereotypes, I’ve heard a few that appear to exist almost everywhere in relation to the northern and southern regions. For example, “Southern Indians are darker”, or “Those in southern Japan speak slower.” This is what I’ve managed to find on Wikipedia, distinguishing northern and southern China. Keeping in mind that these are after all, stereotypes, and that my research is coming from a questionable source (I admit, Wikipedia is convenient for research, but dangerously unreliable), I’ve taken all of this information with a grain of salt. However, having read the “Stereotypes” section on that webpage, I can see how a Chinese Northerner “eats more noodles, dumplings, and wheat-based foods rather than rice-based foods”.

Once again, when we attempt to classify a region, do the stereotypes work for or against us? Between the North and the South, can we co-exist with no boundaries-yet maintain a unique identity?

We hope to hear your responses and discussions because this will help clear up why people are so dissonant even though they are from the same countries and cultures.

Happy Lunar New Years 2010, the 4707th one in recorded history!

It’s about that time again! This years’ Lunar New Years festivities will wrap up on the 15th of February, which means the largest celebrations known to Asian people (with Han-Chinese connection) will be going on as well. Join us today on SAPL as we share a bit about Asia’s answer to the Super Bowl and NBA All Star Game, (which is coming up this Sunday if you didn’t know).

To begin, Lunar New Years/Chinese New Years/Spring Festival/Seollal (Korea)/Losar (Tibet and Bhutan)/Tsagaan Sar (Mongolia)/Tết (Vietnam)/Oshogatsu (for the Japanese before 1873) is arguably the most important time of the year for all of Asia. Starting February 1st, a countdown full of deity welcoming, married daughters meeting their mothers, getting into arguments, and wonderful food preparation begins.

This is followed by a customary New Years Dinner (which is as important as Christmas Dinner in America), house cleaning for good luck throughout the year, clothes shopping, haircuts, and best of all …

… Red Envelopes! After wishing their elders and parents heartfelt blessings of good health, Asians also receive Red Envelopes with money or gift cards today. These can range from crisp cut 2 dollar bills to 20 dollars for the average person; and 100-500 dollars per envelop for wealthier Asian families. In the end, the money shouldn’t really matter.

Lunar New Years is a time of rebirth and beginnings. Asians are expected to forget their burdens and forgive their loved ones for past wrongs. It’s a time where extended families come together to fellowship with one another, teach children about respect, and celebrate their culture even though they are so far removed from their physical homes.

For more information on Lunar New Years, check out the Wikipedia page.

Please share your New Years Traditions with the SAPL family in the comments section of this post. We’d love to hear about your experiences, memories, and traditions in all of your cultures (not just Asian).

Hello SAPL and AC Family!

I am proud to have been invited as a prominent Asian blogger to Coca-Cola and Target’s inaugural Community Reception for the Year of the Tiger 2010. It shows how much of a voice we have given you, our readers, in the past 3 years. Before, there was no site that focused on dismantling and disseminating Asian stereotypes and explaining them in a way that sheds light into the culture and people that have these so-called “habits.”

In 2010, we at Asian Central and Stuff Asian People Like would like our readers, subscribers, and writers that we truly care about the Asian Community at large. We want to give Asians a voice because they are usually outspoken or too timid in today’s society. We are followers. This website was what Asian Americans needed because prior– they had no voice. We encourage you to voice your opinions so that people do not continue misunderstanding your cultures– our cultures. But there I go again– off on tangents about Community Values and Culture…

… so without Further Adieu– Let’s go to a quick recap of the night’s events:

The night started out like every other– light rain and a 25 minute BART ride across (or should I say underneath) the San Francisco Bay.

It ended in San Francisco, where my friend Nick and I (he loves Coca-Cola) walked about 30 minutes to 1AM on Howard Street (the site of the Community Reception).

The welcoming committee ushered us in at around 5:45 and executives from Coca-Cola and Target gave speeches about how Asian American populations are very important to their plans for future growth.

They then introduced two artists from the area who created artwork pieces that made it into the Year of the Tiger Calendar (only available at select Targets).

I had to get Ivan’s autograph and interview him a bit. Here’s his art piece if you were wondering!

The other pieces were awe-inspiring as well.

It was a wonderful experience meeting people that deeply cared for the Asian American Community.

Local News reporters were also on hand.

Let’s not forget the goodies we received…

All in all, I want to thank the people at IW Group for the invitation and setting up this event. You did a great job in such a short amount of time. Have a safe trip back to SoCal!

Hopefully, Asian Central and Stuff Asian People Like will attend this event for years to come.

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Here’s the entire night’s recap in Photos!

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In other news:

This week, we also launched Asian Central 4, a community driven by Asian people who strive and look for deeper connections to their roots by meeting people who are very well versed on the subject. The community is still very much alive and active, a place where you can make friends that understand who you actually are (or learn about their cultures).

Stuff Asian People Like was also updated recently to include nested comments and email notifications (to foster better communication). It is all in an effort to create a large website community where Asians can be themselves and learn not to disconnect from their roots.

Thank you for your devotion and support!

Sincerely,
Peter Nguyen
AC/SAPL Staff