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Is it racist to ask Asians if they like anime?

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May 8, 2015 9:27 PM
#1
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I was getting my haircut by an Asian hairdresser and she was making small talk as most hairdressers do. There was a long period of silence after a while and I wanted to pop the question to get the conversation going again. However I didn't want to risk offending her even though I was just hoping to talk about possible common interests.

Is it racist to ask someone if they like something if it's a known part of their culture? I just wanted to talk about anime is all. >_<

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May 8, 2015 9:28 PM
#2

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Is it offensive to ask a gay guy if they like jerking off
May 8, 2015 9:29 PM
#3
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If you're asking them solely because they're Asian, yes. If you're asking them just to make conversation, no.
May 8, 2015 9:30 PM
#4

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Yes, it's considered a microaggression. Anime is not part of Asian culture, it's part of Japanese culture. Ask her if she's Japanese first.
Proud founder of the 20+ virgins club.

Please visit my manga blog for manga updates and more!

Mup da doo didda po mo muhfuggen bix nood

^ Need someone who can translate this. Pm me pls.
May 8, 2015 9:31 PM
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vodall said:
If you're asking them solely because they're Asian, yes. If you're asking them just to make conversation, no.


I wanted to make conversation but I probably wouldn't have thought to ask if she wasn't Asian.

Shiratori99 said:
Yes, it's considered a microaggression. Anime is not part of Asian culture, it's part of Japanese culture. Ask her if she's Japanese first.


Das even moar racist! :0

May 8, 2015 9:33 PM
#6

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Ask if they like Panda Express first
May 8, 2015 9:33 PM
#7
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how come no one has actually asked me that irl
May 8, 2015 9:36 PM
#8

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Cuckold said:
Is it racist to ask someone if they like something if it's a known part of their culture?
Not racist, but you'll probably come off as an idiot for assuming anime is a significant part of Asian culture. It's like asking an American how many armadillos they ate.
My subjective reviews: katsureview.wordpress.com
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May 8, 2015 9:38 PM
#9

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no


i ask it all the time

even the old chinese man squatting while chopping coconuts working at the grocery store at chinatown watches anime
May 8, 2015 9:48 PM

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Shiratori99 said:
Yes, it's considered a microaggression. Anime is not part of Asian culture, it's part of Japanese culture. Ask her if she's Japanese first.


I think even then, you're pushing it.
May 8, 2015 10:07 PM

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I don't think it is but be careful anyway. I remember I asked this Asian girl if she watched anime and she laughed In this condescending way and said "no, I'm not that kind of Asian" o_o besides, unless they're Japanese, it's not even part of their culture... I guess some Asians are just afraid of being stereotyped so they jump to conclusions
May 8, 2015 10:08 PM

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It would be the same as asking if they like chinese food lol
May 8, 2015 10:10 PM

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you are basically hitler
May 8, 2015 10:12 PM

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Ask her if she likes to solve math problems in her free time instead.
Proud founder of the 20+ virgins club.

Please visit my manga blog for manga updates and more!

Mup da doo didda po mo muhfuggen bix nood

^ Need someone who can translate this. Pm me pls.
May 8, 2015 10:15 PM

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I am imagining the reaction of the hairdresser......
Lol
The person might be offended coz of the current stigma of the medium
Or bcoz of the stereotype; Asians = animu
Twitter and it's consequences had been a disaster for the human race
May 8, 2015 10:16 PM

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May 8, 2015 10:17 PM

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I dunno, is it racist to ask a black guy if he likes KFC?
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)dont hate me cause you aint me( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
May 8, 2015 10:20 PM

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hotstud6969 said:
I dunno, is it racist to ask a black guy if he likes KFC?


Yeah nah, hardly the same thing.
May 8, 2015 10:21 PM
lagom
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im asian and you can ask me if i watch anime
May 8, 2015 10:21 PM

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hotstud6969 said:
I dunno, is it racist to ask a black guy if he likes KFC?
Yes

May 8, 2015 10:24 PM

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hotstud6969 said:
I dunno, is it racist to ask a black guy if he likes KFC?

How on earth would that be racist?
Now you're wondering if there's white text in any of my other posts.

Over there, I'm everywhere. I know that.
May 8, 2015 10:32 PM

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Ask her if she eats dog.
May 8, 2015 10:40 PM

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No, but be careful how you bring up the topic. If you go like "hey since you are an Asian you must like anime, so do you like it?" ofc they'd think you are being racist even if that's not your intention.
So, make sure you are asking them in a way that they feel they are being treated like everyone else. If you have the slightest common sense this should not be a problem.
PilsenEnjoyerMay 8, 2015 10:45 PM
May 8, 2015 10:40 PM

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no.
Source: am Asian
The Art of Eight
May 8, 2015 10:42 PM

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it is racist if they respond with no.
May 8, 2015 10:44 PM

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Yes it is racist and ignorant, it's like asking why Asians have slanted eyes.
The most important things in life is the people that you care about
May 8, 2015 10:44 PM

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vodall said:
If you're asking them solely because they're Asian, yes. If you're asking them just to make conversation, no.


this ^
You can buy lossless digital music from your favorite Japanese artists on https://ototoy.jp/.
The songs are all DRM-free and you can re-download your purchased albums as you wish.
Show your support to your favorite artist if you can!
ps. if you are looking for Japanese albums, you have to search it in Japanese (not romaji). Just copy and paste the name.

For those who want to learn Japanese through anime
Resources for learning the language
May 8, 2015 10:45 PM

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azzuRe said:
Yes it is racist and ignorant, it's like asking why Asians have slanted eyes.


Slanted eyes look nice, that's why.
Proud founder of the 20+ virgins club.

Please visit my manga blog for manga updates and more!

Mup da doo didda po mo muhfuggen bix nood

^ Need someone who can translate this. Pm me pls.
May 8, 2015 11:04 PM

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Yes.

That's like asking a black person if they like fried chicken.
May 8, 2015 11:16 PM

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Consequent said:
Yes.

That's like asking a black person if they like fried chicken.

I was hoping you'd comment lol.
May 8, 2015 11:17 PM

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Protaku94 said:
Consequent said:
Yes.

That's like asking a black person if they like fried chicken.

I was hoping you'd comment lol.

I am everywhere.
May 8, 2015 11:20 PM

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Consequent said:
Yes.

That's like asking a black person if they like fried chicken.
DID YOU NOT SEE MY COMMENt
hotstud6969 said:
I dunno, is it racist to ask a black guy if he likes KFC?
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)dont hate me cause you aint me( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
May 8, 2015 11:21 PM

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YorKeY said:
I wonder why he doesn't hope that i'd comment too, i mean i'm a nice guy, wait, keyword guy, maybe if i had a vagina too.

That's racist.
May 8, 2015 11:22 PM

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I like ur replies yorkey dw :(

OT: No
May 8, 2015 11:35 PM
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hotstud6969 said:
Consequent said:
Yes.

That's like asking a black person if they like fried chicken.
DID YOU NOT SEE MY COMMENt
hotstud6969 said:
I dunno, is it racist to ask a black guy if he likes KFC?


Wow that's a good point Consequent! I hadn't thought of it that way.
May 8, 2015 11:39 PM

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Does it really matter if my point was reiterated once.

Is that sarcasm, otakuloserperson?
May 8, 2015 11:39 PM

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I don't think its racist.All Asians are not into anime but yeah ultimately it boils down to the fact of how the lady will perceive the question.
May 8, 2015 11:40 PM

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Consequent said:
Does it really matter if my point was reiterated once.

Is that sarcasm, otakuloserperson?


wow throwin shade
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)dont hate me cause you aint me( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
May 8, 2015 11:41 PM
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Oy vey! This thread totally made me kekkled muh shekels!
May 8, 2015 11:41 PM
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Consequent said:
Does it really matter if my point was reiterated once.

Is that sarcasm, otakuloserperson?


I was just feigning enthusiasm because she was mad that you made the same point as her. :P

Pretty sure she was joking too though.
removed-userMay 8, 2015 11:47 PM
May 8, 2015 11:42 PM

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Interesting.
May 8, 2015 11:51 PM

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Were you trying to chat her up or something
May 9, 2015 12:04 AM

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Nicoreos said:
Oy vey! This thread totally made me kekkled muh shekels!
Twitter and it's consequences had been a disaster for the human race
May 9, 2015 12:21 AM

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I wouldn't really say it's racist, but it is presumptuous.
It's like asking an English person if they like eating scones. You think these things based on stereotypes, and asking if someone fits that stereotype based on their race or nationality is likely to offend some people, others may not be so bothered.
May 9, 2015 12:44 AM

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That's like saying if it is racist to ask a Mexican person if they like tacos?
Wait wrong rhetorical, everyone loves tacos, why wouldn't they?
May 9, 2015 12:49 AM

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I wonder if I'd get offended if an Asian asked me if I liked cheeseburgers because I'm American...

Because I do...
May 9, 2015 12:51 AM

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MidnightLPA said:
I wonder if I'd get offended if an Asian asked me if I liked cheeseburgers because I'm American...

Because I do...

I'd get offended too if someone didn't like cheeseburgers...
May 9, 2015 1:01 AM

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And with that, i'll take my leave.
May 9, 2015 4:04 AM
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It's only as awkward as asking anyone if they like anime...
May 9, 2015 4:41 AM

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All asians i know like anime tho.
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