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Why don’t you tell them you are not surprised they cannot speak your mother tongue, whip it back at them
Chief
Tell them how bad their Asian-ness is, lol.
In seriousness, maybe have a conversation with them about it. Maybe they meant it as a genuine compliment. And just need to learn some tact. 20s is on the cusp. Some people finally grow up into better people. But many don’t.
Gotta push back on this. I feel like you’re half joking, but creating more animosity won’t help
As a mixed Asian person I apologize in advance for being defensive but you have to try and see it from their perspective. They’re probably shunned from their Asian heritage (or at least feel like it) and may have a lot of racial trauma. I guarantee they didn’t mean anything negative by it - just try and see it from their perspective. They probably face a lot of difficulties due to the language barrier with their mom(s) - which really colors one’s view of what people from the motherland are “supposed” to be like. You can be a monoracial asian person who understands them and is on their side, you just have to see past the cultural differences.
I agree with guidehouse. I'm Asian American (both parents are chinese) and I don't see a consistent pattern with my mixed friends to conclude that what McKinsey is saying is true. I don't think they "gravitate towards what benefits them" but rather the side that is more comfortable for them and accepts them for who they are.
It seems like some people are writing off mixed Asians as "not Asian" and thereby getting offended since they see them as more white than Asian. I don't feel that our mixed Asians should be apologizing for that.
Rising Star
As someone else said CTFO, the key point is that you didn’t grow up in the US (or presumably any other English speaking country).
I went to college with someone who was born in the US and still had a faint accent because he grew up in an insular and fobbish community and his high school was like 60% Asian.
My reaction is that this has nothing to do with your race here, but rather your upbringing. Flip it around - if you did grow up in the US, would you be insulted if they commented on how good your Korean/Chinese/Vietnamese/Hoklo/etc. was?
Why would this be offensive? I'm genuinely curious
Perhaps the association is not on being Asian and assuming being foreign… but assuming that if you are foreign or did not grow up in the United States speaking English then you may have an accent.
I am Filipino but grew up in the United States. The Filipino language does not account for certain sounds. To learn a language you have to train your ear and tongue to speak it. If you are in the US and learn to speak Tagalog - you may not have the accent or proper pronunciation down as that if a native speaker. Same with those in the Philippines who learn to speak English. The Tagalog language does not have “C, F, J, Q, V, X, Z.”
I would not be so quick to assume micro aggressions or an intent to offend or make fun of someone. I think it’s an educational opportunity and a chance for someone to practice their mastery of another language.
Lmao what is up with this generation 🤦♂️
You're really getting bothered over this? Chill out
Yes then add the over analyzing. They need a reminder that - Bruh it ain’t about you.
It’s just a complement!! And don’t get offended so easily, snowflakes!! Yes, I’m an asian and immigrant too!!
How old are they? If they’re little they probably didn’t mean harm. If they’re older they should’ve known better.
OP - if you did not grow up in this country and learned English as a second language, maybe your cousins comment is a real compliment?
Are you guys close? Have you spoken often? Seems odd they would wait til they were like 25 to comment on a family member’s English ability. Also boo to all the people saying to shame them for being white. Not helpful
I was born and raised in ny and have many friends who were born here as well but have an accent when speaking English.
Guess some of us have perfected our “white” corporate voices.
Are you close to their moms’ age? And/or do they think both you and their moms left your native country at the same age? I’ll give them a partial benefit of the doubt if they’re under 18 and didn’t realize. Otherwise, like A1 said, they should’ve known better. Unfortunately, nothing you can do but just educate them.
Chill