Asians Are So Boring

At least that's what most Americans think!  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  We have strereotyped them as brainy, but shy, kind of awkward in social situations.  You know, the math major who looks and acts like a wallflower.  But we dare not anger them, just in case they know Kung-Fu or some other form of martial arts.  After all, we have seen those Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee movies.  We would not want them to kick our butts.

The truth is that Asians are VERY social, much more than Americans.  Here's some reasons why. 

• There are lot's of people over here in a relatively small space (high population density).  In contrast, the U.S. only has about 300 million people living in a huge area, except for the big cities.  Don't believe it?  You can drive for days in the Great Plains and hardly see anyone else.  Asians see people all the time.  In the U.S., we can hide from others and do it quite well.
• Everyone in Asia owns a cell phone, a computer, and a digital camera.  One of them is in use all the time.  High speed internet is common and most of them are online 24/7.  They have their own versions of chatting software and Facebook.  When they take pictures, it always includes other people.  Americans are fond of taking pictures of nature or scenery, not people.   
• Americans focus on individual accomplishments and achievements. For example, most of us hate group work in school.  We're afraid that the slackers will lower OUR grade.  Asians represent a collective society - groups are more important than individuals.  They love to form groups and work best in that environment.  I'm beginning to think there are no introverts in Asia.
• It is fairly common for total strangers to talk with me or invite me to do something.  They want to interact with Americans in Asia, but feel somewhat intimidated to interact with Americans in the U.S.
• There is a huge pop culture in Asian countries, including hip-hop.  It rivals that of the U.S., but how many of us have seen it on television?  That's what I thought.  They have music videos, boy and girl groups, rap music, and a large movie industry.  In fact, film locations are so popular in Korea that other Asians plan their vacations around seeing them.  I was really surprised.
• I took 38 college students on a field trip last weekend (charter bus).  The bus had a microphone.  It didn't take them long to start singing some songs.  I was stunned.  In the U.S., students would be sleeping or listening to private music.  After all, everybody's taste in music differs, right?