looking local being foreign...

[smittenbyu]

I remember in my younger days, when I was living in Rome, a few of my classmates (American, British, Italian-American, Indian, etc.) would go and hang out at the Spanish Steps. We would help out tourists with directions. Some reason we always felt like being helpful, doing good! Not that we never caused trouble! ;) But it's amazing the look of a

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[never1eighty]

Interestingly enough, the only place I have ever gotten treated like that was in my native CA. (NorCal to be exact.) I had a lot of ppl just walk up to me and begin conversing in Hindi or Punjabi and giving me a disgusted look when I stammered that I only spoke English. After that, every single Indian person wanted to know why I had the traditional male last name, why I didn't speak the language, why I didn't wear a sari, why I couldn't cook like them and a thousand other things. It really bothered me because I sort of felt like a foreigner to these ppl...in my own hometown! Very weird.

In the UK, I have had only one similar experience and that's with the guy who owns the local shop who is constantly asking me if I speak Punjabi or where my family comes from (but he's just being polite). On a nicer note, looking more Indian than I am gets me great deals in Camden as all the guys who sell the sari/skirt thingys tell me I should ALWAYS dress like that and knock £15 off the price. *g*

[smittenbyu]

I noticed that with Indians who move abroad they get tighter with holding on to Indian culture especially in the US. Of course it's not true with all. but interesting to see

[tinymich]

where in Malaysia are you staying? If it's the boonies, then I'm not too surprised by the reception you're getting, but I'd've thought that in the big centers like KL, JB, maybe Penang, they'd be a little more accepting.

I'm from Singapore and would have made friends with someone like you. =) we don't all speak in a local accent all the time. We CAN, and often DO, but that doesn't mean we don't know how to listen to others.

[smittenbyu]

I live in KL, right in the hub of it. Oh they are accepting, wonderful people. Just very curious, since I guess I surprise them that I am not Malaysian. It goes againt their first impressions of me, so they just curious with questions. But somehow it seems the same questions with a majority! Not all of course.. :)

No complaints against the people here, except when they get behind the wheel! :P It's just a surprise at my reactions and how I feel... thought I'd be used to it by now! :)

Where are you now?

[tinymich]

Omg, Malaysians are the most terrifying drivers!!! I'm always petrified to cross the road in KL...

Currently in college in NYC. So yes, weird people with weirder backgrounds, very much a boring everyday entirely unsurprising thing. =)

[lifeisforliving]

My experience has been a bit different from yours, but I guess I can relate to the being local/ foreign concept. When I was younger, I used to get annoyed when people ask where did I learn to speak such good English!

When I was living in San Francisco, where there is a big Chinese population, I guess I "fit in" in a way, but then in a way I didn't cos I dressed a bit different and didn't listen to Chinese music and such. I was probably considered too westernised or being a "banana" by many.

I don't think those questions would stop. But as long as you feel comfortable with who you are, I guess it doesn't really matter. =)

[smittenbyu]

I can relate to that. Sometimes it's sad that our 'own people' don't accept us. We are who we are from the experiences we had. And living in different corners of the world obviously make us different if we grew up in one place the whole life.

people...they are fun to figure out! :)

[gyee]

Anyone without the 'normal' or 'common' look in certain places will almost always trigger interest from others. I'm Malaysian Chinese - now living in the US- and of course, I look absolutely 'Oriental'. Although, I have been mistaken way too many times as a Korean - even the Koreans think that I'm a korean

[smittenbyu]

yes..they are nosy people..after the US where personal space is bigger, it's a bit of a shoker! But I do enjoy it here. People are wonderful! Maybe a bit too curious :P it's not complaints about them at all.. just my reactions to it! ;)

[cottontimer]

Interesting post. True for me too. I moved back to Asia after 20 years of growing up in the U.S. (moved there when I was 6). During my one year in Taiwan, people thought I was learning disabled because I could speak but couldn't read Chinese well. Then, during my five years in Japan, I would tell people I was American but have to clarify that I was Chinese-American. I'm so used to NOT sticking out in a crowd now that when I go for visits to the U.S., it's a bit of a shock to know that my looks are not in the majority anymore.