Today’s tragic terrorist attacks and hostage crisis in Mumbai got me thinking about traveling as an American. The terrorists are specifically targeting U.S. and U.K. passport-holders, after all.
I’ve been lucky in some ways. I don’t “look” like an American, so I can pass as a citizen from another continent and feel relatively safe when traveling–even alone, even as a woman (well… okay, we’ll scratch that last part).
When I was in Bangkok a few years ago, I found that being American may cost me, but only in the sense that I was exorbitantly overcharged for various goods and services. My American accent’s what did me in.
When asked where I was from (which was occasionally preceded by, “Why you talk like white-lady?”), I said that I’m Korean-American. “Korean” got me in worse of a state, as Koreans are often seen as gratuitous spenders by other peoples of Asia.
As I uttered the words “Korean-American,” I saw a Ch-ching, ch-ching slot-machine-type effect in the eyes of these Thai vendors and cab drivers. The prices went up even further.
I thought, maybe I can fake a Chinese accent? No good. I can’t even fake a Korean one for more than five seconds with a straight face.
So, I started telling the Thai people that I’m Chinese-Canadian.
Guess what? Cab fares were cut in half. I started getting those killer deals that Bangkok marketplaces are famous for. All because I was no longer “Korean” or “American.” Interesting effect.
My (non-Asian) American friends travel with elaborate stories of Canada prepared and memorized, not so much as to get better deals, but because it’s “safer” that way. Hopefully, over the next few years, perhaps, if our nation begins to spend more time and energy on humanitarian causes as opposed to imperialistic or militaristic ones, the world’s view of America will change, and we’ll no longer have to fake-Canadian in order to travel safely around the world.
My thoughts are with the people of Mumbai tonight. Happy Thanksgiving and be safe. (–JK)
Copyright © 2008 Jenny Kim, culturepress.
13 Comments
November 27, 2008 at 2:15 am
When I worked in the Middle East, I traveled on a Spanish passport, back in those days it was the only way to keep from being a target. But you are right, as soon as they realize that you are American, dollar signs appear or dislike appears. They can spot an American when they eat–they change hands after using a knife.
November 28, 2008 at 8:17 am
Please… please… do not die until you’ve been to Japan first, ok? Seriously. I spent 6.5 years of my life there. The Japanese are a fine, classy, friendly, and warm bunch of people.
Their culture is rich and stimulating. They are also down to earth and love to party as well.
You will not find rampant Americanophobia there. In fact, during my stay I experienced reverse discrimination. Most Americans say this about Japan. They also have some things in common with us.
This is just my personal opinion, but if you have to pose as another nationality in a different country, it’s not worth going there. I want to go on vacation to BE on vacation (especially with the little time off I get and the thousands of dollars I don’t have to go there) rather than be taunted and tricked.
November 28, 2008 at 12:09 pm
“The terrorists are specifically targeting U.S. and U.K. passport-holders, after all.” – and yet, out of the 165 killed, 159 are Indians – so far. Just thought you should know. Unfortunate events.
November 28, 2008 at 12:10 pm
“The terrorists are specifically targeting U.S. and U.K. passport-holders, after all.” – and yet, out of the 165 killed, 159 are Indians – so far. Just thought you should know. Unfortunate events.
November 28, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Virgomonkey, thank you, I’ve really been wanting to visit Japan at some point. It’s a relief to know that there isn’t much Americanophobia there
(but I wonder if there’s any phobia or negativity towards Koreans? Hmm…)
November 28, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Zikr, Oh thank you for the clarification and the update! I wrote that post a few hours into the Mumbai crisis with the little information that was known or believed at the time, and because of the holiday, I haven’t been able to catch the news again ’til today. The situation is just horrific. India is one of the places in the world that I’d most love to visit. I’ve been making plans to visit maybe next year with some friends who have Indian family, in Punjab. India is a beautiful land, with an absolutely beautiful culture, and these attacks on the poor people of Mumbai are just outrageous.
November 28, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Uh oh. You know, I can’t really give you any personal accounts as I am not Korean. But as to hearsay, yes, I have heard that some hostility exists. I don’t know the extent of it, but my guess is that it’s kinda like Anti-Muslimism or Anti-Frenchism in the states?
I’m not really a good one to ask.
Hmm… that got me thinking too.
December 1, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Hmm.. interesting, that’s getting me thinking.
I think there may be some hositility in Korea against the Japanese, but not too much of it. I have a feeling that the Japanese don’t really have a beef against Koreans, though.
December 2, 2008 at 12:11 am
Traveling abroad as an Asian American is pretty tricky. I kind of felt like they looked at me with sort of a snub, like I thought I was better than them because I spoke fluent English. I didn’t understand that at all. Except Japan, they were a lot nicer to me. I did get quite a few deals in Thailand and Malaysia though.
December 3, 2008 at 11:36 pm
MinorityMilitant: I get the same in Korea. My uncles told me not to speak English with my sister too loudly, else I might get my ass kicked by Koreans who thought I was being showy about my essentially-”perfect” English. Thanks for your input. It really is tricky, because people don’t know what to make of us! We don’t “look” American to most of the world.
December 4, 2008 at 8:20 am
CP, do you speak any Korean? By the way, I look forward to your post. You can even copy and paste this one over if you like to. It’s up to you.
December 4, 2008 at 9:24 am
[...] violently attack you, point you in the wrong direction when you get lost, discriminate against you, overcharge you, and make your vacation [...]
December 5, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Hi virgomonkey, yes I do speak some Korean, but let’s just say that it kinda’ sucks…!
Hmm… should I just copy-paste this post onto your blog? Okay, maybe I’ll just do that………!