 America is a nation of cultural variety, but what does it mean to "look like" an American? Many people around the world have preconceived ideas about the answer to this question. But what about travelers who are born in the USA but who do not necessarily fit the physical image of an American? The topic of ethnicity and nationality can be a sensitive subject to balance in any country, but for some of us, this topic of conversation is something that we have to deal with on a regular basis. “Hello, Miiisterrrr...,” I look up, just as a moped with two young Taiwanese guys zooms by us. The kid in the back has his neck craned, and his smiling face turned in our direction. He follows us with his eyes as they disappear out of our line of sight, then points at us just as they turn the corner. Again, I hear his fading voice calling out, “Hellooooo, Misterrr!” I can't help but laugh. I've always read online and in travel forums about the stares and the pointing, the laughs behind hands or calls from the street. But to be honest, I rarely ever experience this myself. Of course, this isn't because I haven't traveled before. I have my fair share of stamps and visas in my soon to be expired passport. But this young man's call of curiosity from the back of a passing moped was not actually meant for me. In fact, it was really directed toward my friend Ryan.  You see, Ryan is 6'2" tall, with stereotypical American features; blonde hair, blue eyes and relatively fair skin according to Taiwanese standards. I am 5'7" short, with stereotypical Southeast Asian features; black hair, brown eyes and brown skin compared to many Taiwanese. But Ryan speaks both English and Mandarin while I can only speak English. Ryan is Australian, I am American. And yet, he always gets mistaken for an American. And me? Well, I don't even get mistaken for a native English speaker. But please don't get me wrong, I don't mind this at all. I actually enjoy being able to blend in with the people around me. And I still can't get enough of the double takes and the stares of shock or confusion when, after sitting right across from me for half the duration of the train ride, the other person who previously paid me no attention suddenly hears me speak out in perfect American English. It's an amazing thing to me, this ability to go from invisible to visible with just one word. And this common case of mistaken identity doesn't just happen to me in Taiwan. It seems like almost everywhere I go, I am mistaken for someone else other than an American. In Mexico I was Chinese, in Laos I was Thai, in Thailand I was Malaysian, in Malaysia I was Filipino, and in Cambodia my sister and I were Japanese. Here in Taiwan, many people mistake me for an aboriginal Taiwanese, Amis or Paiwan. Even in my own country I am commonly mistaken for being Mexican. I guess the answer to this phenomena lies in my mixed heritage. When my true nationality is revealed here, many of the Taiwanese are curious and will actually question me further about this confusing juxtaposition. “But you don't look like an American. How can you speak such good American English if you look like Asian people?” They'll ask. No, really...they do. I've come into the habit of just smiling, and then I try to explain to them in depth about the mixing-pot that is Hawaii.  “I am American,” I'll say reassuringly. “But I am from Hawaii, and the majority of Hawaiians my age are of at least 2, if not 4 or more, different ethnicities. Most of our parents have mixed heritage, too. Everyone from the plantations, in the 1800's and early 1900's, intermarried and blended cultures.” “Oh, really?” They'll say, with looks of wonderment on their faces. “So what is your background?” “My father is Filipino and Chinese,” I'll say. “And my mother is Native Hawaiian and Portuguese.” There is, of course, a few more in there, but I find it's best to keep the explanation as simple as possible to avoid further confusion. I even had a man sit next to me during a meeting. He had just found out from someone else about my background. I looked over at him and gave him a nod. He leaned towards me and whispered, “You mean to say, your mother's mother and your mother's father are from two different peoples?” “Yes,” I whispered back, trying to be polite towards the speaker at the podium. “Oh, okay,” he said in fascination. He stared back at me. I could see his eyes studying my face, my eyes, my nose and skin. His mind wrapped around the implications of that truth. “Well, my name is Mr. Hsu,” he smiled, handing me a business card. “Here's my number. Give me a call. I want to talk to you more about the social studies of Hawaii and Taiwan.” And then he left. And so what does it mean to "look like" an American? Well, the answer really depends on who it is you ask that to. As for me? I just smile whenever someone is surprised that I am American. Like I said, It's an amazing thing to me, this ability to go from invisible to visible with just one word. And now we'd like to ask you: Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you had to break down preconceived ideas tactfully? How did you deal with that? Comments06/09/2010 4:10:30 am This is quite an interesting subject and one that I deal with often myself. White I may look like a stereotypical American, after 11 years of constant travel, my accent has taken on a life of its own. As a result, people have a very difficult time figuring out where I'm from. 06/09/2010 6:04:24 pm @Earl I'm glad you found this to be interesting. Many people are sensitive about this that I considered not posting it. Eileen 06/10/2010 3:51:46 am I was in Switzerland at the parent company of the US company I work for. Working for a company that is in numerous countries, I have interchanges with colleagues of different nationalities. From them I have learned that the "ugly American" stereotype still exists in some ways. Our manners are very informal compared to lots of other cultures. Knowing this made me want to show it didn't apply to all Americans. I was taken to lunch by my Swiss hosts and when the food arrived I waited very patiently until all were served - I was determined not to be the first to start eating. Finally the host for the meal said "Eileen, just go ahead and be your American self and eat, so we can eat." Made me realize that I really didn't understand their etiquette, just as they didn't completely understand mine. But it didn't matter so much, we liked and respected each other anyway. 06/11/2010 1:30:03 am I'm Californian, but with brown hair, light eyes and a good French accent, people usually can't tell that I'm American right away. I live in Nice, France and work in an Irish pub--and people generally assume I'm Irish, with a Northern Ireland accent. They're usually shocked when I assure them that I have only one Irish grandparent and absolutely no French heritage. 06/11/2010 1:44:14 am Great post! Coming from the mixing pot that is California I know where you are coming from. I come from a multiracial background as well which definitely has its advantages and disadvantages. 06/11/2010 7:04:52 am Oh my do I stick out like a sore thumb! 6'3", plus a super thick southern accent. Nonetheless, I try to blend in as much as possible. Thanks for the post JR! Harmony 06/12/2010 2:24:01 pm Really great post JR. Also your readers comments are interesting. It's true there are two sides to every story. I am the typical "all american" looking girl. Light skin, blue eyes, blonde hair. Traveling can be very difficult as there is no possible way to blend in. I often wish I had dark skin and eyes so traveling would be easier. Appearing out of place has times that can put you more at danger. Eyes are always upon you, and I wonder what those eyes are pondering? But it has moments of great fun too. I'm curious of life in other places, just as they are curious of life in America. We all the same...curious...and generally kind hearted...just look different...and cultures are different. If you treat people with kindness and respect...it will likely come back to you...10 fold. Happy travels JR...and enjoy your travels under the radar. 06/13/2010 5:10:33 pm Hey great discussion guys. Its interesting to see all of the different viewpoints on this subject. It seems like it doesn't where we're from or what we look like, we all deal with some form of stereotyping. Sometimes we may be on opposite sides of the coin, so see things from opposite perspectives. One thing I've noticed that many of us travelers have in common is that we all stay pretty positive. Good stuff! Christine T 06/13/2010 5:34:18 pm I come from a Filipino-Chinese dad & a Filipino-Italian mom....and my boyfriend is as white as can be (Irish/German). When we traveled to Italy together, a Croatian group of people was just amazed that we were a couple. Some were really kind to us, while a few others told us we didn't "belong together because you have brown hair and he has blonde". Caroline 06/19/2010 1:19:41 am I've got that all American look- brown/red hair, blue eyes, really pale skin...but I'm only first generation American. AND I'm Portuguese. I'm literally more Portuguese than anything else, but I'm also a big genetic fluke--didn't get any of my dad's dark hair/skin/eyes (which one would assume are the dominant genes), I got my mom's Irish look. 06/19/2010 6:32:54 pm @Christine T - Wow I'm sorry to hear that you get that about your relationship. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised tho, sometimes you get comfortable being from somewhere where that's not even something that comes up. Good to hear you don't let it bother you tho. Katie b. 06/23/2010 1:48:48 am Interesting topic. Chris 06/23/2010 1:03:30 pm So does it start to get to you at times? People mistaking you for a local. 06/23/2010 9:54:12 pm I am yet to find a place where I fit in lol. I am mostly of Mexican descent with a random plethora of other things and people can't even tell "what" I am at home in the US. I always get confused stares until someone has the courage to ask, "what ARE you?" lol 07/07/2010 6:18:13 am The only time I get confused for being somewhere that I'm not from is when I start talking. Someone will eventually ask me if I am Canadian. I even have other Canadians ask me that. The reason for the confusion is that I grew up close to the Canadian border where accents cross so I picked it up there. Plus I've spent so much time in Winnipeg that I know it like the back of my hand. Kate 07/21/2010 12:59:50 pm Kate 07/21/2010 1:19:34 pm When I was in Germany & Austria everyone I met automatically started speaking German to me assuming that, with my blonde hair, blue eyes & being 5'9", I had to be one of their own. I have to say it was the first time I actually felt average to small in height because the people there seemed taller than me. This brought up an interesting conundrum because while I thought it was cool at the same time I missed the diversity that is in America (and particularly in California) because in the end if everyone were the same height or color this world would be a vastly boring place. That may seem a cheesy summation but oh well. People (like travel) are about contrast - light shades & blasts of color. Whatever we're all mistaken for or assumed to be I wouldn't have it any other way. Leave a Reply | Lead Blogger: J.R. Riel
 J.R. has lived in various places, from Bridgehampton, New York to Lanai City, Hawaii. He currently resides in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, where he is studying Mandarin and experiencing the joy of Chou Doufu.
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