Why do people think....?

Question

that all asian people are either japanese or chinese? Like I have a friend who is half filipino half thai, and some girl asked me if she is japanese or chinese, like there are no other countries in east asia besides those two!

I understand that those two ethnicities are probably the most common asian nationalities in the US, but it's not like they're the ONLY ones.

btw I'm not even asian and i'm not like angry about it or anything, it just makes me wonder...

Answer 1

America isn't very good at "other" You either have to be this or that. Like you'll never find a biracial box on an application you either have to be black or white. When things get gray it becomes too much hard work for people so to make easy for themselves they just lump things into simple categories like Chinese or Japanese. Plus American school aren't very good at teaching things that aren't American, which is why a lot of American remain culturally stupid. If it isn't about their country they don't what to know about it, it's also why they get in to so much trouble when the travel abroad.

Answer 2

Like you said I guess it's because China and Japan are more widely known to most people so their first guesses are always going to be Chinese or Japanese. And a lot of people can't tell the difference between Thai, Viet, Korean etc.  

Answer 3

Most kids in America couldn't point out Asia on a map.

So you have a basic lack of education at the root of the problem.

Answer 4

Help help help!!!!!!! I just farted and crapped on myself.

I can't stop crapping! Please pray for me.