Stuff Asian People Like #12-18

#12: Yellow Fever

#13: Haggling

#14: Gambling

#15: Stopping existence during finals

#16: Leaving your shoes at the door

#17: Being an Overachiever

#18: Gossip

Stuff Asian People Like #10 & #11

#10 - Orchestra and Band

#11 - Practical Majors

Stuff Asian People Like #7 - 9

#7 - hording fast food supplies

#8 - pirating

#9 - talking about school

#6 Karaoke

click here for #5 - too much food

karaoke is very essential to asian social interactions. this phenomenon began as a sing-along trend for amateur singers in US during the 70's, and migrated over to japan then rest of the asia continent... it basically took over asian social life overnight.

asians typically sing karaoke @ bars/clubs called KTV, where there are two options: private room or public stage. either way, there will always be a screen of some sort displaying the lyrics for the singer while he/she sing along to the melody. At most korean karaoke places, a tambourine is usually supplied so the singer can wave it around while singing.

asians always gather in big groups while singing karaoke, and it is very entertaining to see a group of asians singing in druken stupor. although the karaoke experience can be quite torturesome at times, depending on the vocal ability of the "singer". asians are known to be a species dominated by introvert and shy individuals, but one would certainly change his/her mind after a night out at a KTV.

in recent years, the older generation of asians have installed home entertainment systems that enable them to sing karaoke in the comfort of their own houses. however, the younger generation of asians still like to socialize at KTV (usually located in and around chinatowns) for gatherings and parties.

although you do not have to sing when you go to a KTV, most of the times by the end of the night you will be on the table screaming "hit me baby one more time" under the influence of alcohol while your friends take black-mail worthy pictures of you.

#4 MSG

(see vania's blog for #1 - #3)

monosodium glutamate, also known commonly as the food additive and flavor enhancer MSG used in asian cuisines. MSG comes in the form of white crystalline powder. although it has no distinct flavor of its own, MSG stimulates our taste buds and make a variety of foods taste better. asians love to use MSG in their food, despite its potentially harmful side effects....

MSG is known as "wei jing" in chinese and "ajinomoto" in japanese, these are the two major asian countries that utilizes MSG the most in their cusines. many asians were probably born with MSG infused in their blood, therefore possibly have developed a prenatal addiction to this seemingly harmless substance since infancy.

asians put MSG in everything, knowingly, and sometimes unkowningly. here's a list of food that probably contain loads of MSG but still loved by asian people... throughout the years, asians have integrated this celebrated subsance as ingredients in many products:

- seasoning package in your ramen? check.
- kung pao chicken? yup
- miso soup? positive
- soy sauce? yes
- chicken/beef broth? affirmed
- barley molt? oui
- chewing gum? si
- children's cough syrup? uhhhh yeah...
- canned soup? duh
- salad dressing? you bet cha!
- grill spices? definitely
(and the list goes on...)

most asian family own a bottle of MSG, asian supermarket always carry a variety of MSG, asian restaurants use MSG like crazy in order to make their food more flavorful. when i was little i dabbed my finger in MSG once and licked it....... it DID NOT taste good at all, although it does work miracles when dissolved into delicious dishes.... no matter the background and race, most asians love MSG and use it literally almost every course of their meal. asians love their food packed with MSG and shares their passion for MSG with rest of the world through culinary sucesses. in a way, asians have conquered the world with msg..... they may not be proud of the side effects of MSG, but they cannot resist the urge to sprinkle a dash of MSG in their food....

the prologue

vania and i have decided to start on a collabrative list of stuff asian people like, inspired by Christian Lander's creation stuff white people like. she's ahead of me because i was out getting wasted last night (yes that's my excuse, take it or leave it kekekeke).... you can see hers here.

mine shall start soon! :)

amor