Racial Profiling: It's a compliment!

Sometimes ideas pop into my head during the middle of my reading class or as I'm walking down the street towards Zhongguancun or even Wudaokou, but then I forget to write them down.

This one is a compilation of the odd and stupid encounters I have been lucky to have witnessed in the past few months. What I've learned after trials and constant headaches is that racial profiling is a compliment. Either you take it or you leave it. For most part I neither take it or leave it. I get upset or quite irate. Yes irate.
Any time I leave the protection of my humble bungalo of rm 505 in the luxurious Shaoyuan #9 (which is like a palace compared to shit holes of Shaoyuan #1, Shaoyuan #2, 3 and 4. I haven't found five yet. It is still a complete mystery to me. ) I always get confronted with this question when I encounter the natives. 8 out of 10 times.

"Are you Korean?" Now where did you get that impression? Do I release a scent that makes you release the hound dogs? Doubtful.

I barely even say anything. I don't even have a Korean Chinese accent. Where does the profiling come from? I thought I figured it out with a list I wrote up.

How to identify a Korean student on Beida campus (for the most part)
1) baseball cap
2) sweat pants
3) BIG FRAMED GLASSES
4) hoodies
5) sneakers (mostly chuck taylors)
6) Bonus points if you spot one on a scooter
7) Tend to cluster
8) Smoking in clusters

I have exhibited NONE of the 9 traits that I have seen for the most part. I do wear a hoody on occasion, but that's it.

My stubborn self was always taken back by "you're Korean right?" and that's because I'm not Korean. Period. Now and then it does hurt my feelings when my own people. The country where my family has roots in cannot even recognize that I'm Chinese. I have a last name. I speak Mandarin with a standard and accurate tone. I dont have a American Chinese "banana" accent. Anyone catch that reference? How is it possible for people to be this judgemental? Sure were all human, and we all judge, but must you assume that I'm Korean?

More later, but for now I have a pile of homework. The new semester has begun

We love Hooters: Beijing (*rolls eyes)

I can't tell you how much I wanted to avoid venturing into a Western restaurant in Beijing. Of all places I really wanted to steer clear of what everyone is familiar with: Hooters. Though, for the sake of my friend's birthday and curiosity I stumbled into this institution that tried to scream cleavage and desire. I was pretty dissapointed mostly with the prices. I regret paying I believe was almost 15$ for some mediocre sandwiches. Wings were decent, but I can get this at home for a much reasonable price. I gotta watch my spending. I spend like an idiot. Not that I'm in debt though! I wasn't wiling to pay 6USD for a beer. Screw that.

What Hooters Beijing should be called is a reference from South Park. It should be called "Raisins". No joke. See the video for yourself. I didn't manage to capture one of the other bar dances sadly enough. The unenthusiastic girls waved their hands around to "YMCA", but the guys loved it and started getting on stools and rocking to the YMCA.

Then came Austin's Birthday song,which was as a matter fact disappointing. I clearly believe the Hooter girls of Beijing absolutely resent working at this establishment. Despite the decent fries and mediocre food, there is....well clearly no point in enjoying your job. The irony to the typical Chinese or European business man that drop by for a sodium filled heart attack meal is that it's a family styled restaurant. Make sure to cover little Timmy's eyes before he spots the cleavage. Wait what cleavage? They're wearing push up BRAS???? OH what is this? This is like middle school for everyone. You can't find any 'well endowed' ladies around these parts? Keep on searching Victor Ma, owner and manager of Beijing hooters.