The Stereotype Game

Stereotypes usually are offensive in one way or another. Often born out of fear, misunderstanding, lack of understanding and a variety of other reasons, they can hurt, but with a different point of view and a pinch of dark humour, it can turned into something fun. This round, I’ll focus on the most obvious trait of me and the one that is stereotyped the most often by strangers, my Asian-ness

Let's play the (Asian) stereotype game. Check all that apply and their point values and total up your score at the end. And don’t worry if you’re not Asian, you never know, you could be a giant Hello Kitty doll at heart. ;)

1 Point each

1. You’re good at math
2. You’re an overachiever
3. You’re bad at sports
4. You or your parents drive a Toyota or Honda
5. You have really small eye openings

5 Points each

1. You do any martial art (Kung Fu, karate etc)
2. You have installed a noisy after-market exhaust on your car
3. Rice features a part in your meal at least 5 times a week
4. You speak an East Asian Language
5. You have a Buddha statue in your house somewhere
6. You have Pokémon paraphernalia apart from cards and games
7. Your family actually owns a dry-cleaners or tailor shop
8. You suck at driving
9. You can use chop-sticks
10. The only knife you need is a big cleaver
11. You won't throw something away unless it is absolutely dead and useless, and even then you'll try to fix it.

10 points each

1. You have a heavy accent (Korean, Canto etc)
2. You’re stingy (in any sense, good or bad)
3. You wear slippers in your home
4. You drink tea regularly
5. You love anime
6. You play the violin, piano or flute. (20 pts for two or more)
7. You know how to and can drift your car
8. You work at a nail salon
9. You drive a Honda Civic (in addition to above)
10. Your parents try to dictate every aspect of your life (thanks Drew!)

Deductions (-5 for each)

1. Chinese Food to you means General Tso’s chicken, Lo Mein and Fried Rice or take-out
2. You can’t use chopsticks (-30 if you’re Asian)
3. You drive a big SUV

Scoring

0-15 – As Asian as General Tso’s Chicken
16-25 – Watch some more Naruto
26-35 – Getting there, or you could be Asian-American
36-45 – Maybe you’re actually Asian, you probably drive a Honda Civic
46+ - Either you’re actually Asian or were meant to be born one.

Okay, so the scoring and points system is totally arbitrary but hey, I hope you had fun, no offence was intended by this.

All the best,

JP

(btw, I scored 53 if you're curious)