How to be an Edgy and Thought-Provoking Asian American

// Own the Bowl Haircut – Why should childhood trauma still haunt you? Bring a bowl to the salon and tell them to do it. Bonus points if you are a woman or you do it at home. Post on social media. #iamthebowl

// Eat raw ramen out of the package at a public space like the bus or the park, and stare down anyone who makes eye contact. In fact, just stare down anyone while you break off pieces of ramen to feed your inner hungry ghost. And yes, yes, put the seasoning on it. You’re not an animal.

// Wear radical t-shirts! For example, Fermented fish is my jam; Made in America; #iamthebowl; Keep away, I have the Chinese disease – dragonass!

// Launch into a soliloquy about Chinese genocide, the Year Zero, or the honorable disembowelment of samurai warriors in dental waiting rooms or elevators.

// Go around telling people what their Asian tattoo means. It’s good to start gently, with a β€œThat’s a shame” said under your breath or a β€œTsk, tsk” accompanied by a head shake. (Do not point and laugh. We ran for ten blocks to avoid an ass-kicking.)

// Casually interject into conversations a quiet, rational, but fervent downplay of the amount of sugar in bubble tea drinks.

// Demand the repatriation of the U.S Railway system to the Chinese (and Irish, I suppose) who built the damn things. Bonus points for singing John Denver’s β€œI’ve Been Working on the Railroad” as a protest chant.

// Support local Asian American business by standing in front coaxing customers to come in and have a look. Bonus points for handing out fliers with the owners’ origin stories. β€œThey’re slashing prices on all upright mahogany tables and bookcases by 50%…outrageous, right?”

// Learn to say select phrases in your family’s native tongue and shout them during sporting events, graduations, weddings, and crowded coffee shops. β€œDon’t cut the line!” β€œCan’t touch this,” β€œLight my cigarette”…

// At car washes and in front of window cleaners, mime β€œwax on, wax off” from The Karate Kid.

// Handout your Asian American friends’ resumes at the mall or Trader Joes.

// Enjoy a little wordplay when ordering at Asian restaurants. β€œYes, I’ll have the chopstick suey,” or β€œCan I have the roll in the California style, err, no, like a caterpillar,” or try the direct translation of pad Thai, fried Thai. Pad Thai? No, FRIED Thai, F-R-I-E-D Thai, Fry Thai, Fry the Thai! Shout if misunderstood; works for mom.

// Call everyone β€œlittle sister” or β€œuncle”.

// Put a sign on your car that says, β€œAsian driver”, kick back, relax, and enjoy the wide berth on the highway.

24 responses to “How to be an Edgy and Thought-Provoking Asian American”

  1. Marta Avatar

    I could do the tattoo thing here in Spain. So many tattoos of Chinese characters that are wrong or ridiculous! However I am not Asian. Can I be a honorific Asian? Hahaha!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Lani Avatar

      Oh, really? I would have never guessed that about Spain. And yes, you are an honorific Asian. I thought the Club already sent you your membership card? πŸ˜‰

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Tara Avatar

    Oh, I enjoyed this so much! There are so many things in here I could relate to πŸ™‚ I giggled especially at the sugar content of bubble tea and the tattoos. I just heard a story about someone who got a tattoo that didn’t make any sense because the person never got it checked by someone!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Lani Avatar

      Oh, good! You never know, when attempting to be funny how things will turn out. πŸ˜› Bangkok Post recently put out an article on the insane sugar content of bubble tea, along with how much sugar Thais are consuming. It’s outrageous. Something like 28 teaspoons and the World Health Organization recommends 6.

      Tattoos! I suppose Asians should be flattered that so many folks like the exotic look of Chinese characters and Asian images, but gotta get those things right, right? Hahahaha.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Tara Avatar

        Your humour definitely came through πŸ™‚ YES! I found boba to make my own at home because that’s the only way I can control the sugar…but damn, that store-bought is just the best~ πŸ™‚ Hahaha, you would think!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Lani Avatar

        Thanks, Tara! Tee, hee. Yes, the addiction is real.

        Like

  3. goldielocksguy Avatar

    Gosh Lani, thanks for the big smile!! I too am waiting for my RR reparation payment. Irish in my case.Truth be told I would be happy with some 50% off coupons or a Walmart gift card. I would most defiantly use the card for a new Tupperware set; finding the perfect sized bowl for my Walmart Beauty Center haircut and Walmart Photo Studio glam session. Of course all the while noshing from a family size box of Lucky Charms!! You may call me a dreamer, but I’m not the only one!!! β™₯

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lani Avatar

      You always make me laugh, so I’m glad I could return the favor. Why yes, now that you mention it, a Walmart gift card is the gift that keeps on giving, now isn’t it? One stop shopping for all Americans! Thanks for everything! Now, here’s a card, knock yourself out, kid.

      Like

  4. jeremyjames Avatar

    Some of these are hilarious. I would wear those T-shirt’s 100%

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lani Avatar

      I’m glad you liked them. The t-shirt bit was the hardest to figure out, so I appreciate that!

      Like

      1. jeremyjames Avatar

        Time for an internet t-shirt shop!

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Mabel Kwong Avatar

    All these things are sooo Asian! Definitely have had the bowl haircut when I was a kid. Eating ramen raw out of the packet is such a guilty pleasure thing to do. If you like eating noodles that way there are ramen noodles junk food snacks like Mamee Monster – and I still eat this these days πŸ˜€

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Lani Avatar

      Just the other day one of my students was snacking on raw ramen. The tiny package looked like it was specifically made for that purpose. πŸ˜›

      I think everyone had the bowl haircut! Hahaha. At least, I remember my brother did.

      Liked by 2 people

  6. Behind the Story Avatar
    Behind the Story

    Actually, I think I have the bowl haircut now, short version. We saw a little one-year-old leaving the restaurant today, and her hair looked just like mine. Raw ramen: NO. Telling people what their tattoo mean: YES! I like your cool glasses.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lani Avatar

      πŸ˜€

      Hahahaha. Raw ramen is a thing, I’m afraid.

      Thanks!

      Like

  7. Bespoke Traveler Avatar

    πŸ˜† Oh, how I’ve missed your humor. It’s good to be back in the blogosphere for a strong draught of Laniverse. Have already mastered steps #2 and #5. Looking forward to practicing #9 and #13.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lani Avatar

      Hey, thanks! What a lovely compliment to read in the morning (or any time of day). I was a little scared to put this one out there because I was afraid of how it would be received. Glad the funny bits came through. πŸ˜› And remember practice makes perfect!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. searchingforsubstance Avatar

    hahahaah the sugar in bubble tea.. i dont know how many times i have discussed this on social media. it is a real thing, yo. LOLLLLLL. i sometimes get my drinks with ZERO sugar but everyone knows that the boba is steeps in crazy amts of sugar (and i also add egg pudding too so there’s more sugar). but it’s so gooodddd =)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lani Avatar

      The struggle is real. πŸ˜› xo

      Like

  9. Sarah Avatar

    Oh my! Still holding my belly from laughing! πŸ˜„ Even though I’m not Asian I can relate. That about the tattoos is hilarious, and Fry the Thai! Had my legs up in the air because I fell from the sofa laughing!! πŸ˜„ And shout when misunderstood works in every language. πŸ˜‰

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lani Avatar

      Yes, the ‘ol shouting technique. Good time for travels. Hahahhaa. Thanks for the love, Sarah! xo

      Liked by 1 person

  10. PurplePumpernickel Avatar

    πŸ˜…πŸ˜†πŸ˜‚
    You crack me up Lani! Having lived in the US previously and having quite a few Asian American friends, I hear you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lani Avatar

      Glad you liked it! Makes me happy πŸ™‚

      Like

  11. Let’s wrap up 2019, so we can move on to 2020! – Life, the Universe, and Lani Avatar

    […] continued with the funny bits the following month with How to Be an Edgy and Thought-Provoking Asian American which I feared scared people away because in this current climate folks are afraid to laugh over […]

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I’m Lani

Welcome to Life, the Universe, and Lani. I’ve been blogging about my experiences living abroad since 2009.

At this point, this site serves as an archive as I’m mostly active at No Girl is an Island πŸ‘‰https://lanivcox.substack.com/ 🏝️where I have been both newslettering and continuing to craft personal essays on finding freedom in the fringes.

Thanks for stopping by, have a look around, and hope to see you over at No Girl is an Island.