Are there instances of discrimination against Asian tourists?
Posted by BabySignificant7168@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 49 comments
Sorry for using a translation machine!I've always wanted to travel to America, and I've heard that there's a lot of discrimination against Asian tourists, not just in America. I know I shouldn't be talking about this, but it scares me. I'd appreciate it if you could tell me how to respond if something like that happens.
loweexclamationpoint@reddit
Why shouldn't you be talking about this?
There were reports of anti-Asian incidents during COVID. Haven't seen much recently. Large metro areas will be better than way out in the country, most US large cities have substantial Asian populations.
BabySignificant7168@reddit (OP)
There are all sorts of people out there, right? I feel like if I talk about those kinds of topics, people will think I'm a bad person...
GSilky@reddit
Not that anyone is reporting news on. What have you heard?
BabySignificant7168@reddit (OP)
Maybe something like a short online news article.
GSilky@reddit
I wouldn't worry. Americans are pretty happy to see people. Just pay attention to what people are doing and do likewise. I own a store tourists enjoy shopping at, the only time my staff gets anxious is when tourists act like they are at home and do something like carry their purchases in their pocket while shopping. That is not something Americans do. I'm sure there is information about cultural differences that can cause trouble while traveling. Look into that. TBH, I love Asian tourists. Y'all are better at meeting us halfway than most.
BabySignificant7168@reddit (OP)
Oh my gosh, you're so kind!! I'd love to visit your shop if it's anywhere in America!!
GSilky@reddit
C'mon up to Denver.
SomewhereMammoth4613@reddit
I’ve never heard of or witnessed discrimination against Asians anywhere but on TV sitcoms.
HorseFeathersFur@reddit
I had a family visit from Japan for three weeks. They traveled all over the area with no problems at all. They said they had a great trip.
BabySignificant7168@reddit (OP)
I want to have a great trip too!!
HorseFeathersFur@reddit
I’m sure you will. There are two subs who offer travel advice:
r/ustravel and r/usatravel
Try those two for all of your traveling questions.
random_tall_guy@reddit
I'm assuming you're Japanese from glancing at your profile. Discrimination against Asian tourists is rare, so you'll almost certainly be fine anywhere, but I'd recommend Hawaii if you want to be somewhere with less of a language barrier. A decent amount of people speak Japanese there, especially workers at the major tourist attractions. It's also a shorter flight from Japan than the mainland US is. Otherwise, you can get by with a translation app on your phone.
BabySignificant7168@reddit (OP)
Oh, really?! Thank you!! Hawaii is definitely an option!! That's a big help!
Push_the_button_Max@reddit
Los Angeles as well.
TillPsychological351@reddit
General rule for tourists traveling to any country... your presence will pass barely noticed and be quickly forgotten. The majority of the people you will interact with work in the hospitality industry, who have a vested interest in treating you well.
BabySignificant7168@reddit (OP)
So, it means I don't need to worry about it!
haightor@reddit
Very rare. It used to happen a little during Covid but that has largely ended.
BabySignificant7168@reddit (OP)
I feel so relieved.
GlumFaithlessness392@reddit
There was a slight influx in 2020 but I think it’s died down. Only complaints I hear are of large groups, which are more annoying simply cuz they are large. Also good to be aware that Americans like way more personal space than what I’ve heard is normal in Asia. So just be aware that ppl like their space, it’s not uncommon for ppl to stand 4 ft behind the next person in a line if the area allows for it.
notsosecretshipper@reddit
I'm not aware of any specific discrimination against tourists in the US. Generally, we like tourists and many businesses and towns depend on tourism. The only thing I can think of is that it seems like there are more Asians than other demographics who take those big groups tour buses around the country, and people are wary of massive groups unexpectedly coming in all at once. One or two of those busses pulls up and suddenly your shop or restaurant is flooded with 60 people who all need to be accommodated at once. I've been the sole employee at a gas station half a dozen times when that happened, and it's a nightmare no matter who is in the group.
thalaya@reddit
There are instances but they're not particularly common. The absolute risk is low.
Where are you going? For example, In NYC, you wouldn't stand out at all. In Nashville, there are certainly fewer Asian tourists, but you wouldn't be in danger or anything. However I wouldn't advise going alone to most areas of the US if you don't speak any English as we are a very English-based nation and you could easily be taken advantage of in some way if you're not careful (like credit card skimmers type thing)
BabySignificant7168@reddit (OP)
You should understand what I mean when I'm relying on a translation machine. I'm starting to get worried.
Sparkle_Rott@reddit
Credit card skimming happens to the best of us 🙃
BulkyTiger8706@reddit
It exists, but it’s not the norm, most people won’t care and will treat you normally, and if someone does act weird just ignore it or walk away because they’re the exception, not the experience.
BabySignificant7168@reddit (OP)
I'm relieved. Thanks, it was my first time asking a question across language barriers!
AdEastern9303@reddit
And chances are, that same person is simply an asshole to most people and not just Asians.
North_Artichoke_6721@reddit
Generally speaking, there is not a lot. America is a big place with a diverse population, and while you may find some people are curious about you, mostly we all just try to get on with our own lives and leave other people alone.
Practice the same “street smarts” that you would anywhere. Stay in well-lit areas, travel with a friend when possible, don’t engage in illegal activities such as drugs, don’t flash your money around, etc.
Have a great trip!
BabySignificant7168@reddit (OP)
Oh right, there are drug dealers there too, how scary...
xampl9@reddit
Not usually, at all. But there is always the chance of encountering an idiot. Like in any country.
BabySignificant7168@reddit (OP)
If I ever meet those idiots, I'll give them the middle finger, lol.
marvelguy1975@reddit
There you go, thats the spirit!
Mediocre-Oil-5322@reddit
There are instances of almost anything imaginable. But is it common? Not at all. In most places you would go as a tourist, people see tons of Asians, so they are familiar. And, in America, the stereotypes about Asian people are mostly kind of positive (Asian people are often assumed to be hard working and good at math), which doesn't make them less wrong, but it does tend to make it less likely that you would be mistreated simply because you are Asian. As others have said, Americans rarely are unkind to tourists. You are a guest, and most people will treat you accordingly, or, at worst, kind of ignore your presence, assuming that they might not be able to communicate with you.
AmericanNewt8@reddit
Quite unlikely, even if in some tourist areas there can be some grousing, mostly because of sheer numbers, and also the fact Asians more often travel in tour groups sometimes leads to annoyance as they randomly swamp sites, sometimes ones that seem bafflingly arbitrary to us (versus Americans and Europeans who tend to drive individually and are thus randomly distributed). You basically get this dynamic literally anywhere that does a lot of tourism and racism has very little to do with it.
The only actual "discrimination" is that Asian (and European) tourists have a reputation for sometimes doing really stupid shit that Americans usually won't, usually in regards to wildlife that looks considerably friendlier than it actually is. Bison will, in fact, kill you if you come at them the wrong way.
BabySignificant7168@reddit (OP)
Bison?!? ...?! Seriously?
Dangerous-Safe-4336@reddit
Absolutely. If Yellowstone is on your itinerary, pay attention to what the pamphlets and rangers tell you.
78723@reddit
If you’re not poorly behaved you almost certainly won’t run into any problems. The only discrimination of Asian tourists in the US I can think of is the stereotype of mainland Chinese tourists in large tour groups being loud/pushy/cutting in line and ignoring rules. If you just don’t behave like that then people will have no reason to react poorly to you.
BabySignificant7168@reddit (OP)
I don't have any friends, so I'm never in a group. Don't worry.
MrLongWalk@reddit
Are there instances? Yes. Is it a widespread or common issue? Not at all. It’s not something I’d realistically be worried about. If you encounter it just move on with your day.
BabySignificant7168@reddit (OP)
I understand. Having a "don't worry about it" attitude is important.
MrLongWalk@reddit
It’s simply not a realistic fear
jmims98@reddit
It is rare for people to be rude to tourists in general in America. I have been mocked or treated poorly as a tourist many more times in other countries than I have seen people treat tourists poorly in America.
BabySignificant7168@reddit (OP)
oh…
MajesticBread9147@reddit
There are isolated examples of discrimination, but not nearly as much as black Americans experience.
Especially in places a tourist will visit. Most people won't even know that you're a foreign tourist by looking at you.
BabySignificant7168@reddit (OP)
I'm going from Japan to Lake Cunningham in California!
MajesticBread9147@reddit
In San Jose?
AuggieNorth@reddit
We've had Japanese tourists in Boston complaining about people asking them for directions, but with a big Asian population here who know their way around, why wouldn't people ask them?
MajesticBread9147@reddit
Lol. I grew up in a random Virginia suburb.
If you didn't know any better, you'd think the most common last name in America was Nguyen followed by Kim and Lee.
LeSkootch@reddit
There are instances of discrimination against everyone. Is it common or something to worry about? No. As long as you're not an asshole most people won't even notice you. If you need help with directions or recommendations, ask us. We love to help out and chat.
BabySignificant7168@reddit (OP)
You're so kind, thank you!