This old fellow came up to me and asked, 'Excuse me, are you Japanese?' No, I'm Korean. 'Oh really, that's very interesting, because I was looking at you and I knew you were not Filipino. I have many Filipino friends and you do not look like them because you're very HUSKY!!' Is that supposed to be some kind of a compliment?! 'Oh no, it's not bad, you're very strong, very HUSKY!'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A stranger misidentifies the speaker's ethnicity and attempts a clumsy compliment about their physical build that feels more like a stereotype.
- In plain terms
- Someone mistakes her background and calls her husky instead of asking nicely.
- What can you take from it?
- People often use awkward stereotypes when trying to be friendly.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you respond to well-meaning insults?
- Why do people assume ethnicity based on looks?
Another view
The speaker finds the compliment offensive but the stranger meant it politely.
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