Where are you from? International Edition

Here is the short version of my current situation and background; I am in Japan studying the Japanese language.  I do not go to school with Japanese students. I study with other students from East/Southeast Asia. Want to hear more malarkey about my time in Japan? Check out my website UIC-KCP

Ok done.

I wanted to make a post about the places I have been to, food I have eaten, so on and so forth.

But I can’t (contractions, ew).

Where are you from?  Chicago.  No, where are you really from? Chicago.
That is how that question usually. However, in Japan the questions and answers are slightly skewed.

*In Japanese
Chinese students: Where are you from?
Me: Chicago, Illinois.
Chinese students: Eh, how do you look Asian when your parents are white?
Me: What?

Yeah seriously, what?  I also had the pleasure of unfortunately (see what I did there?) meeting this Vietnamese student (from Hanoi). It was a relief at the time to speak a language I was comfortable with.

Vietnamese student: Where are you from?
Me (in Vietnamese): I was born in Chicago, but my parents were born in Viet Nam.
Vietnamese student:  Your parents are not white?
Me (in Vietnamese): I just told you my parents were born in Viet Nam.
Vietnamese student: So you are white?

Yes, he could be trolling. But after seeing him sometimes I know for sure he was not trolling.

So the moral of the story is...I do not think there is one actually. I just wanted to share my experience. This was the first time being asked that by an international student.

I will post something about Japan soon. Hopefully.