Politics…
Just today someone remarked to me that they “dislike non-Taiwanese deciding what we should do”, after I said that from my own personal opinion, I believe that Taiwan should be independent. I’m not going to start a political discussion, don’t worry. 
What I’m meaning to say, though, is that being a TCK makes it very hard to ever express one’s opinions.
Whenever I say something either about Taiwanese politics, or just about feeling at home in Taiwan and wishing to be Taiwanese, there is at least one person who says I shouldn’t care because I’m not Taiwanese anyway. Even my closest friends don’t understand that. Being really pale, really blue-eyed and pretty much blonde, I’m about as Western as can be - from the outside. And that’s all that most people see of me, the little Swiss girl.
I don’t know, do you feel it too, that people refuse to accept that you can love their country as much as they do, if not sometimes more?
I often get into political discussions with my friends, and the easiest way for them to get out of it is by saying, “Dude, you’re not even Taiwanese, why should you care?” It’s just about the most hurtful thing anyone can tell me. I actually find it more painful when people say I should shut up because I’m not Taiwanese, than I’d feel if they’d say the same about me not being Swiss. Un-Swiss me anyday, just let me be Taiwanese.
May 30th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
“She looks like a duck, walks like a duck, wears feathers like a duck…because that is what you wish to see. In reality, she is an Asian swan dying to break free of the cloak you force her to wear.”
This was said to my husband who was not fully understanding why I wasn’t like all the women in his life (sisters/aunts/parental units, etc.). I grew up in Indonesia/Malaysia from 1 year of age until I was 19 - yet because I am “white”, speak English well, know how to dress appropriately, I am expected to be like “others”. This is the Hidden Immigrant part of me!
I totally understand your frustration about not being “Taiwanese” - as I have fought many of those battles with regards to discussions about Indonesia.
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May 30th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
I can understand! for my childhood, I was always set apart by my peers because I was “the girl from Finland” (mind you, this is in a small town in the upper midwest of the US). all I wanted was to belong..
As for politics, it’s hard for me, because I know how things are in Finland (personally, I like their healthcare system, even with it’s glitches.) so it’s hard for me to find a candidate (talking about the upcoming presidential election) that I can really feel like that they will help the US grow into a more global power, not the self-centered one that it is. (do you know how hard it is to find anything international in the local news??)
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May 31st, 2008 at 12:02 am
Yes. I agree it’s difficult to ever make any statement regarding politics or any controversial issue for that matter.
If I say something that’s in line with the stereotypical views of the Japanese, people point fingers at me saying things like: Well we know what people in your country think! Then they dig up news articles on Japan that point to this glaring fact, etc.
(Of course they don’t stop to think that maybe a ‘real’ Japanese person wouldn’t even give their ‘real’ views in a public forum in most cases. They tend to be pretty quiet (especially in the business community), because they can’t ever say something that also doesn’t reflect what their company thinks - which means they have to keep quiet, etc.)
If I say something contrary to stereotypical Japanese views then they ASSUME that’s a Japanese view which it’s not - and I end up having to explain that anything I say should never be taken to be even a sample of 1 of Japanese views - then of course they get confused and upset.
I almost have to walk around with a sign with a disclaimer on it saying: Nothing I do, think or say should be taken as typical of the Japanese people who would be very upset if you based your Japanese stereotype on me.
Perhaps this is why I haven’t been too keen on cultivating my social network here in Andalusia. I get weary having to talk about things I don’t enjoy because it’s all gossip about celebrities, gossip about locals and then the stuff mentioned above - and people demand that I give them a ‘view’ which they assume to be the Japanese perspective. How uncomfortable is that?
It sure doesn’t encourage me to improve my Spanish.
Also with regard to people saying ‘you’re not even Taiwanese’ - I had someone say to me when I gave my views that were in line with the European Commission that I ’sounded more like the King than the King’. So basically because I’m not an EU citizen I’m not allowed to have the same views as the EU Commission on anything?
We are not amused! :p
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May 31st, 2008 at 7:08 am
“Perhaps this is why I haven’t been too keen on cultivating my social network here in Andalusia. I get weary having to talk about things I don’t enjoy because it’s all gossip about celebrities, gossip about locals and then the stuff mentioned above - and people demand that I give them a ‘view’ which they assume to be the Japanese perspective. How uncomfortable is that?”
-> First of all, making gossips is the last thing I want to do and it’s sad when you try to make connections and the social atmosphere is all about talking behind the back. =(
Secondly, imposing expectations is harsh just because you look different and that you are by passport “Japanese.” Where is respect for the rights of personal perspectives and freedom to be who you are?
“I had someone say to me when I gave my views that were in line with the European Commission that I ’sounded more like the King than the King’.”
-> I was reminded of the views of people when I lived in Korea. Although I am Korean myself, I could not stand it when people were either for you or against you. If their opinions coincided with mine, I was considered one of them. If not, I would be offensive to them as if I am their enemy. Of course, this is case by case different but I was surely made uncomfortable by the limited views of certain people I met.
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May 31st, 2008 at 9:18 am
Desi, I can totally relate to that frustrating or lonely feeling when people don’t think you can love their country as they do. I love Mexico, and only a couple of people who know me very well understand that. When I say “I love Mexico,” most people hear, “I have lived here for such a long time that I have gotten to like living here.” They don’t understand that I actually love the land.
The funny (and also sometimes frustrating) thing is that they are trying to be nice when they tell me that I have gotten used to certain ways in which Mexico differs from the US. They don’t get it that I never got used to some of those things in the US! Or someone will say, “This particular aspect of the culture is much different from what you are used to, isn’t it?” and I will say, “No, this is what I’m used to.” Depending on my mood, I have been known to say, “Do you mean different from how it is in the States? I don’t know, you tell me. You lived there longer than I did.”
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June 4th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Wow. Wow.
This really hit a cord with me.
Many of my Saudi friends don’t get it when I show interest in certain Saudi singers for example, among many things.
They’ll be like, “Why are you listening to him??? YOU’RE AMERICAN! Accept who/what you are! Stop trying to be Saudi.”
Thing is, I’m not trying to be Saudi
I swear.
When they’d say things like that to me, I’d feel like crying. It’s like, if I’m not Saudi, then what the hell am I? ‘Cause I’m sure as hell ain’t American ;/
I remember this fad came out. They were bracelets that said “Proud 2 B Saudi” on them. I bought one and wore it, and my friends thought it was the funniest thing they’d ever seen…lol. I’m laughing now, but it was SO not funny then.
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June 4th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
heh What’s wrong with listening to Saudi singers? I know this French dude that listens to J-pop (I don’t listen to that stuff btw!) and I’m not going to stop him lol
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June 4th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Haha, if I had to be from a place to listen to the music from it i wouldn’t listen to anything
I don’t even understand the lyrics of most of the music I have.
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June 5th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Yeah, what Ayako said.
I listen to German, Indonesian (sometimes), Spanish and French music. It doesn’t make me any of these things.
Hell, a lot of Americans I know love watching Anime, and kind of fantasize being Japanese or living in Japan… but while *I* think it’s slightly deranged, they can do whatever they want, right?
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June 5th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Exactly!
But I guess that is because Anime and Manga has become a bit mainstream nowadays, whereas Gulfern singers are not. But I wonder how the Japanese feel about the sudden Japanese culture craze in western countries? Do they take it as a compliment? Or does it annoy them?
And another thing, the same people that jumped on my back about my music taste, were walking around wearing “Ramones” band t-shirts, lol
I’d be like, why is it OK for you and not OK for me????
I think it all goes back to pop culture if anything..
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