All Asians Look the Same

This one has been slowly developing like the termite larvae in your home's foundation. When I left the states I had some sense of what Koreans looked like as opposed to Chinese as opposed to Japanese, but that's because I had only evolved from "all Asians look the same" to "all Koreans look the same." Just 2 & 1/2 weeks have taught me that they all look so different it's scary. Of course the Koreans on television look the same, but it's the same in America. There is one perfect mold, and all the models, singers, TV and movie stars fit the mold. The variety is astounding though. It's become easier than ever to know the difference from one to another. All that "Oh Jiyeon, I thought you were Minha" malarky is over. It's still not any easier to remember names, but at least I can see the differences in face, hair, and style.

I've even found that some Asians have almost American eyes. I know that it's considered attractive over here, and some people tape their eyes open to achieve the look. Some have even had surgery to make their eyes look bigger. I don't know if the people whom I've seen have natural or artificial eyes, but I do know that those people look more human to me. I was ashamed when I first realized it, but it's true. I can read their faces, their emotions. I feel more connected with them. I feel like they have more personality just because I can understand it more easily. It's sad, and will probably pass with time, but for now it's inescapable truth.