Race/Ethnicity
Questions 41-50
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THE
QUESTION:
R50: I work in sales, in an area were a lot a Middle Eastern
people live. Why is it that many Arab people and Eastern Indian
people almost always try to bargain down the price of the
merchandise? I am not in the position to lower the price.
POSTED MARCH 19, 1998
JA, Dearborn, MI
ANSWER 1:
Back in the Homeland (Middle East, India, Bangladesh or
whatever) the economy and marketing strategies are very different.
You will see two sales people, for example, selling shoes, sitting
right next to each other. There is no such thing as a fixed price, so
they are in a position to begin with a higher price and reduce it
later on the spot and still get a profit. When a patron comes walking
by, he/she will obviously try to haggle the price down. So you see,
haggling prices is just something most of these people are used to
and is accepted by the culture. They just have to get used to the
fact that the way things are done here is different.
POSTED MARCH 20, 1998
JK, 22, Indian male, Ann Arbor, MI
To respond
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THE QUESTION:
R49: Why is it that many Arabic people have bad body odor?
POSTED MARCH 19, 1998
Melissa, 17, Algonac, MI
(Director's Note: See related question at
R185)
ANSWER 1:
Believe it or not, that smell is not what most people
would call "body odor" or "BO." It is actually due to types of Arabic
foods that, when digested, excrete from the skin pores. Another
example would be someone who drank heavily the night before. The
person would still smell like alcohol the next day, no matter how
many times they brushed their teeth, because the alcohol is leaving
the body through the skin's pores.
POSTED MARCH 28, 1998
Eric, Detroit, MI
FURTHER NOTICE:
The response about alcohol is incorrect; alcohol by nature
is odorless.
POSTED MAY 2, 1998
B.B., black, Detroit
To respond
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THE QUESTION:
R48: I was wondering why it seems more African-Americans (and
even Latinos) have custom wheels on their cars, as opposed to white
people. It is something I've noticed and I was wondering if there was
a specific reason behind it.
POSTED MARCH 19, 1998
Scott W., 24, white, MI
ANSWER 1:
For some people, having a nice car, especially an
expensive one, is a status symbol, particularly if you live in a poor
neighborhood. Dressing up the car with fancy wheels, fancy license
plates and custom trimming is another way to attract attention,to
show off what they have and how much money they have.
POSTED APRIL 13, 1998
Suzie, 26, black
Queens, NY
To respond
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THE QUESTION:
R47: Lately I have heard that some minority groups are upset
with the Taco Bell commercial that features the little dog. What
exactly is the problem, and is it worth pulling the comercial?
POSTED MARCH 19, 1998
M. Melville
<mark@high-eng.com>
Howell, MI
(Similar question posted April 15, 1998, by T. Mc., Irish, of
Detroit)
ANSWER 1:
Some Hispanics, especially Mexican Americans, feel
offended by the Taco Bell commercial because of its symbolism. The
Chihuahua is Mexican, and many Hispanics feel the ad is making fun of
this particular "culture or country" by using the dog for advertising
purposes. It might look funny to most of us, but if you place
yourself in their shoes, you might understand the offensiveness. A
similar thing happened with one of the last Seinfeld episodes,
in which Kramer burned a Puerto Rican flag by accident. This was very
offensive to many Puerto Ricans. As a result, the Puerto Rican
Association expressed its discontent with the scene, and NBC
apologized. It might not be the same, but it shows that mocking and
making fun of other people might not be funny for everybody -
something we should respect as human beings.
M.T., Puerto Rican female
<cafe539@aol.com>, Lawton,
OK
FURTHER NOTICE:
To M.T.: Advertisers have been using animals in general,
and "talking dogs" in particular, to hawk products since forever. I
seached my local paper and found two activists who claim the ads are
offensive, but neither says exactly why. What is using the chihuahua
supposed to symbolize?
POSTED MAY 21, 1998
Jay B., 38, black male
<jayboyd@ameritech.net>,
Detroit, MI
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
The first time I saw the Taco Bell ads featuring Dinky the
chihuahua, I was with a large group of Mexican-American friends
watching a Dallas Cowboys game. All of my friends thought the
commercial was hilarious and that the dog was cute. So, I'm pretty
sure most Mexican Americans aren't terribly offended by that
commercial. Some are, of course, but I don't think it's specifically
because of that commercial. I think many Mexican Americans are angry
and frustrated in general by media depictions. My ex-wife is Mexican
and used to fume that "you never see a Mexican in a movie, and when
you do, he's a drug dealer." She had a point. There are many things
Mexicans can legitimately complain about. But the Taco Bell doggie is
pretty harmless and silly. I mean, I'm Irish, but I don't get
offended by the silly, phony Irish accents I hear in commercials for
Irish Spring or Lucky Charms!
POSTED JUNE 19, 1998
Astorian, 37, white male,
<astorian@aol.com>,
Austin, TX
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
Chihuahuas are known as a Mexican breed and have been
significant in our history for thousands of years. I do not find the
commercials offensive, for there is no better animal to represent the
food and the culture. Animal breeds have been used to represent
cultures for many reasons. I would feel the same if I were a Chinese
person and saw a commercial for Chinese food with a panda instead of
a chihuahua, or if I were Australian and a commercial for Australian
food featured a kangaroo or koala bear.
POSTED JUNE 30, 1998
S.B., 25, St. Johns, MI
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
The dog is funny. The groups griping about it have an
agenda of their own, and humor is not included. You will always have
someone on the grandstand who will cry about an effort of any kind if
it will further their goals. Political Correctness is the exercise
for controlling people right now, but it will pass.
POSTED AUG. 7, 1998
Jerry, 56, Mexican American
<jersan@aol.com>, San
Diego, CA
To respond
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THE QUESTION:
R46: In the United States, is it true that southeast Asians
(Orientals, Indians and Pakistanis) are generally considered more
intelligent than any other ethnic group? If so, is this because of
their ethnic group, or other factors?
POSTED MARCH 19, 1998
Jiman, 23, Bangladeshi male
<jiman@umich.edu>
Ann Arbor, MI
ANSWER 1:
Orientals and Southeast Asians are not genetically smarter
than Westerners. What they do have, in my experience, is a family
structure that strongly promotes academics and good grades to better
the family and rise in the economic ladder. It is not uncommon to
have Asian students study at home for hours on end, at the expense of
a social life. It is no coincidence that up to 40 percent of
California's universities are filled with Asian students. They have
the study ethic. The Asian students who have become more Westernized,
unfortunately, tend to adapt our more lax habits.
Scott O.
<sroring@dmci.net>
Jackson, MI
To respond
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THE QUESTION:
R45: What is the meaning behind the derogatory terms "gooks"
and "zipperheads" used against Asians? I believe this has some basis
in the Korean and Vietnam wars, but am not sure.
POSTED MARCH 19, 1998
Stu, 26, white
<hawkstu@juno.com>
Commerce , MI
ANSWER 1:
My understanding from a Korean friend it that "gook"
derives from the word "Hunguk" (sp.?), the Korean word for
Korean.
POSTED MARCH 28, 1998
Sosumi, Troy, MI
To respond
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THE QUESTION:
R44: For a number of years I've noticed that many African
Americans do not say that they "live" at a place. Instead, for
example, they say, "I stay at 4800 Dallas St." Even if they've lived
there 20 years, they never say "I live there." Why is this?
POSTED MARCH 19, 1998
Marie B., 45, white, Woodville, Tx
To respond
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THE QUESTION:
R43: Why do blacks have larger-than-average lips?
POSTED MARCH 19, 1998
John B., Warren , MI
ANSWER 1:
Average compared to what? Turn the question around: Why do
some whites have smaller than average lips? It's all a matter of how
you define what "average" is - and in this country "average" means
"white." This means that anything that isn't white is
therefore different or non-average. See how strange that is?
POSTED MARCH 24, 1998
Alex, 39
<aleavens@mindspring.com>,Lawrenceville,
GA
FURTHER NOTICE:
I think the original question was not meant to imply that
any "non-white" lips are not average. I think it was an innocent
question that deserved an answer. This is a good example of why white
America will never understand other races. If we ask, we are
perceived as racist.
POSTED MARCH 31, 1998
D.L., white, Redford, MI
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
To D.L.: White America can understand other races and
cultures better if we take the time to try to understand other
perspectives than our own and not be so defensive when others point
out when we do ask questions that display ignorance or white bias. I
see no indication of Alex's race nor any accusations of racism. His
(her?) response is pretty straightforward. Even as a white woman, my
initial reaction to this question was pretty much the same as Alex's
reaction, but thought it more appropriate to let a black person point
out the obvious. One purpose of this forum is to help break down
barriers and educate each other.
POSTED APRIL 28, 1998
DykeOnByke, white lesbian and corporate diversity council member
<DykeOnByke@aol.com>,
Southfield, MI
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
How about "average" as compared to every other race? i.e.
brown people, pink people, yellow people and red people. While I
agree that "average" may be perceived to mean white, that is not the
root of the question. I don't think that the original question had
racial implications. Which brings us back to: Blacks tend to have
larger lips than the other four colors of people. Why does this tend
to be the case?
POSTED APRIL 29, 1998
Linda (one of the other four colors)
<linda1701e@voyager.net>
Bloomfield area, MI
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
This is a stereotype. I am a white woman and have
larger-than-average lips. It is not a race thing.
POSTED MAY 3, 1998
Mick, 27, white, Birmingham, AL
FURTHER NOTICE 5:
I have read that straight, overhanging noses evolved as an
adaptation to cold climates, but I can't remember anything about
lips. I think there is a general trend for some races to have smaller
or larger lips than others, but obviously, as with most genetic
traits, there is a large range of types in each population and race.
I believe that the "Out of Africa" theory of human evolution is the
most likely. Therefore, it is likely that fuller lips are the
original human state. Large lips may have arisen by natural or sexual
selection. Lips are a very sensuous part of the body and look
attractive. They may also be useful in practical ways - other
primates use lips for many different functions, though other primates
don't have the thin-skinned, blood-filled part to their lips that
most humans have. As people began to move out of Africa into colder
climates, larger lips may have posed some disadvantage as did darker
skin (not enough vitamin D/E?) and flatter noses (something to do
with condensation of water in the air). Lips have less skin coverage
than other areas on our face and are susceptible to the extreme
elements - chapped lips are common when exposed to the cold and
blistered lips when exposed to the sun (if pale skinned). The
disadvantage wouldn't necessarily have to be large to change the
genetic makeup of a population over many, many years. Alternatively,
there may just have been a particular trend in lip shape in those who
migrated out of Africa (look up bottle-necks in genetics books). I
think this is less likely.
POSTED MAY 6, 1998
Beth, thin-lipped, Edinburgh, UK
FURTHER NOTICE 6:
Genetically, African Americans (politically correct but
not geographically) have fuller lips, Native Americans are known for
straight, full, black hair, Swedes for blonde hair, Irish for green
eyes, Jews for prominent noses, and the list goes on. As a
multiculture offspring, I pass for "white" most of the time, but I am
attracted to African Americans, so that I do not see
"larger-than-average lips," I see beautiful, full and sensuous lips.
As an artist, though, I am able to see and appreciate the differences
and beauty in everyone I run across.
POSTED MAY 6, 1998
Steve N., 40, mixed
<blaster7@hotmail.com>
Dallas, TX
FURTHER NOTICE 7:
I'm a black male and do not interpret the question as
racist. It's a good question. Blacks come from a hot climate. There
are biological and environmental reasons our nostrils are larger: To
cool the air we breathe. Our behinds are larger to store fat in a
place where we can stay cool rather than on legs or arms. We tend to
be taller because taller, lean bodies dissipate heat better. Straight
hair warms the head and neck. How many times have you seen
straight-haired people pull their hair away from their necks to cool
themselves? There is a biological reason why our lips are larger. I'd
love to know the answer.
POSTED MAY 6, 1998
Ron B., Mission Viejo, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 8:
Black people seem to have the largest features of all the
races because of adaptation. If you are willing to know the true
answer, you must study. Black people tend to have the larger features
because when we were in Africa, we had to adapt to the hot climates.
That's why our skin is deep in melanin - to protect us against the
sun's rays. Melanin is the dark pigment that gives us our color. We
have larger noses to be able to breathe in the humid air of Africa.
We have larger lips for the same reason. We tend to have "kinky" hair
because of the humidity and hot temperatures of Africa. I hope this
was helpful to you.
POSTED MAY 6, 1998
Rabiah S.
<littlemama1220@hotmail.com>,
Atlanta, GA
FURTHER NOTICE 9:
To quote the guidelines posted on this website for
answering a question: "If someone else has shown the courage to
acknowledge to themselves and others that they don't know something,
they may well be on the path to knowing. In that spirit, try not to
penalize them by deriding them or being condescending with your
responses." The question was an honest attempt to inquire about a
biologic difference, which most likely has a scientific explanation
(of which I am unaware). The point is that this site was designed so
that people could ask precisely this kind of question.
POSTED MAY 6, 1998
Mark M., white
<marknyc@hotmail.com>,
New York, NY
FURTHER NOTICE 10:
I agree with the first response: The question seems a bit
narrow, but the person is trying to learn (I forgive you for not
knowing). But take a moment to think about how that sounds. It is a
generalization, based on non-factual perceptions, which can easily be
seen as an insult. I dated a guy of Polish descent for a long time
and his lips were very full and, well, sexy, but he was white. I
never thought "Do all Polish people have full lips?" I really think
that the lip thing is individual, as are most things about people.
There are some traits that most of a certain group may have, but
those things are just features.
POSTED MAY 6, 1998
Carmela, 29, black
<pecola@hotmail.com>,
Atlanta, Ga
FURTHER NOTICE 11:
Consider another species: The dog. Dogs have more than 250
known "breeds" and many more mixes. Some dogs have long ears to help
stir smells up from the ground to better smell. Others have broader
frames to better pull sleds. Their anatomical differences have a
purpose. As for the human species, I was once told that the
definition of a race is determined by the size of the skull, the
girth of the hips and the length of the thigh bone. If we are
wondering about dimensions of a particular race's anatomy, in this
case lips, I'd say anthropology verifies there are anatomical
differences helping to define races. Ignoring the word "average," if
we ask the question about lips in terms of a race's development
through evolution, do we know if there is a specific reason some
races tend to have larger lips than other races (or for that matter
straight hair, eyes with little or no lids, or a lot of body hair)?
Is there a physical advantage to or need for any race's differences
based on what we know from anthropology? It's a good question when we
look at it scientifically and do not single out one race or another
as average.
POSTED MAY 7, 1998
Laura K.,
<pelagic2@bellsouth.net>,
Miami, FL
FURTHER NOTICE 12:
I find this an odd question because so many white models
are getting callogen shots to give their lips more shape. Remains
found in Africa show that if anything, African lips are the standard,
and thin, Eurocentric lips that Europeans are now shooting to make
fuller are not the norm.
POSTED MAY 26, 1998
William H., black
<wthob19@idt.net>,
Tallahassee, FL
FURTHER NOTICE 13:
Blacks do have a larger-than-normal lip size. This feature
helps cool the body by using the larger surface area in and around
the mouth and nose, evaporating moisture in much the same way as
panting in non-perspiring animals.
POSTED JUNE 3, 1998
Davis, Portland, OR
To respond
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THE QUESTION:
R42: How did the term "jig" come to refer to black people?
POSTED MARCH 19, 1998
John B., Warren , MI
To respond
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THE QUESTION:
R41: Why do some black women not shave their armpits or
legs?
POSTED MARCH 19, 1998
Steven, Southfield , MI
(Similar question posted April 16, 1998, by Brenda S.,
23,<TuBCrzySxy@aol.com>,
Wixom, MI)
ANSWER 1:
I can't speak for not shaving the underarm area; but some
black men find hairy legs very sexy.
Rain, 43, black female
<PRBKB@airmail.net>
Dallas , TX
FURTHER NOTICE:
Some black men find hairy legs sexy. I have always been
discouraged from shaving mine. However, I do shave my armpits. I can
only guess that people who don't shave their armpits don't know that
they should. I have personally advised at least three of my friends,
who were otherwise quite meticulous in their hygiene, that they might
want to shave their armpits.
POSTED MARCH 19, 1998
Claire D., Stone Mountain , GA
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Women choose whether or not to shave their
underarms or legs. It has nothing to do with race.
POSTED MARCH 19, 1998
Catherine, 36
<Cathk@msn.com>
Brooklyn , NY
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I don't mean this to sound snide, but it may be the same
reason some white women (or a woman from any other ethnic group)
don't shave theirs. I personally shave.
POSTED MARCH 20, 1998
A. Walker
<alcewa@gulfsurf.infi.net>
Pensacola , Fl
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
The question should be why does anyone shave? What purpose
does it serve? It just grows back tomorrow. In my experience, shaving
any part of a body (female or male) is more of a cultural norm
related to a society's or individual's esthetic sense of beauty,
gender role conformity and/or sexual attraction. It has absolutely
nothing to do with hygiene. Since I tend to value non-conformity for
its own sake, I rather admire women who don't shave.
POSTED MARCH 21, 1998
DykeOnByke, white lesbian
<DykeOnByke@aol.com>
Southfield , MI
FURTHER NOTICE 5:
Hurrah! To Catherine and A. Walker. It's merely a matter
of personal preference. I haven't shaved either (legs/underarms) for
over 20 years. What started as a 60s rebellion evolved into "why
shave?" And it certainly is not a compromise to personal hygiene. If
one has an underarm odor problem, it has more to do with what you
eat, hormones and an inadequate anti-perspirant. I definitely agree
that it is more a socially or culturally motivated practice.
POSTED MARCH 24, 1998
Marge <MGrug@AOL.com>
Brownstown , MI
FURTHER NOTICE 6:
I was once told by a black co-worker that she liked the
look of shaved legs and underarms, but that she didn't shave her own
because she was subject to ingrown hairs. I don't know if this is a
common problem.
POSTED APRIL 26, 1998
A. Morgan, 33, Houston
FURTHER NOTICE 7:
The texture of black hair can and does cause hair to curl
back into the skin, causing "razor bumps." These bumps can become
infected. Notice the razor bumps on the face of many black men. How
do you think they would feel on legs and underarms? Just because a
practice is customary, it doesn't necessarily mean it's practical for
everyone.
POSTED OCT. 20, 1998
M.S.D. <yaz04@yahoo.com>,
NC
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