Don’t hug me, I’m ASIAN!
Today when I walked into the gym, I saw one of the membership advisors that frequents the hallway that leads to the change room. He goes, "HEY!! There’s my girl!", and then proceeded to stick out his hand for a handshake. LOL. So I held out my hand, and then he holds out BOTH his hands, shoulder level, to go in for a hug. Goodness, the awkwardness. THE AWKWARDNESS!!! I’m not good with personal contact. I blame it on my Asian-ness, and the way my parents brought me up. So I gave him the WORLD’s graceless hug. It was horrible. I didn’t know which way he was going to turn his head, and I kept switching from right to left, and finally settled with the left, but he thought I was going for the right, and my forehead kind of grazed his cheekbone. I practically head butted him. 
OH my gosh, I was so flustered. My cheeks are warming up right now, just thinking about it. Horrible.
It reminded me of the past summer when I was took a high intensity cardio/weight class with a close friend of mine (who is also Asian). I was in horrible cardiovascular shape, and after about 30 minutes of the workout, I fainted, and when I came to, there was this whole crowd of people around me, slapping my face, shaking my shoulders, and sticking smelling salts under my nose. I was so embarassed that I fainted again. 
But throughout all this, my friend said she didn’t even come close to me, and even told people, "Don’t touch her! She’s ASIAN!" HAHAHAAHAHAHA!
All right! I tried a new recipe after my workout today. I know there are so many of you who envy my FOOD SKILLZZZZZ, so here’s the recipe!
- 1 packed cup of spinach, 1/3 cup of rolled oats, 3 spoons cottage cheese, 1 scoop of protein pwoder. I managed to swallow this and keep it down! So it’s a keeper in my books! I tried one for breakfast this morning, and it was FRIGHTFUL! It is as follows:
- 1/2 cup of oatmeal soaked in 1/2 cup of water overnight, 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, 1 scoop of protein powder, and three egg whites. This one stayed down.. just barely. I will not make it again.
:D
March 13, 2008 at 11:23 am
LOL, aaawwkkkward!! I’m the opposite, though, total hugger… maybe that’s why people call be a banana
And are you serious - that first recipe does not sound good at all!! Did you get that from the Fear Factor website??
March 13, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Hahahahaha. That’s the funniest thing because I have a good friend and coworker and she’s from the DFW area, she is NOT a toucher. We are great friends but there’s a no touching clause in our relationship. She’s just very standoffish and she says its from the way she was raise. Parents even walked like 300ft ahead of her at the mall when she was 3 years old sort of thing.
Comical to say the least.
March 13, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Oh no! I can’t stand touchy people!! In my family we don’t touch each other so it freaks me out when other people do it. My boyfriends family not only hugs but they kiss!! I dread going to see his family because I never know which uncle is going to grab me and squeeze me to death and try and kiss me. You are one crazy/brave woman for eating all those weird combinations.
March 13, 2008 at 2:00 pm
You crack me up- I laughed out loud several times- thanks!!!
Not a big hugger at all unless I am very good friends with someone- mostly because I don’t want other people to feel weird- I’m good either way. Seems like everyone got into this hugging and kissing everyone- I just think everyone is trying to "cop a feel" or get their kicks. Maybe not- I have some friends who are very genuine and authentic that are kissers and huggers and I know their intentions are clean. Others- scare me! 
Anyway- loved your blog *smile*
March 13, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Personal space is an issue that can mean different things in different cultures. As a broad guideline, a person’s outstretched arm shows the limit of the ’sphere’ of space around them that you need to ask permission to enter. There are a number of verbal and visual ways to communicate this. Someone not picking up on these cues needs to be told that they’ve got it wrong, so they don’t make the same mistake again (and end up head-butted on a number of occasions!)
March 13, 2008 at 8:31 pm
LOL…great blog, very entertaining. I agree it can be very awkward when someone invades your space or is too touchy. I don’t know how you stomached those recipes! I don’t think I could have gotten them down.
March 14, 2008 at 2:59 am
I HUG Everyone!!! It doesn;t matter who they are, people at the gym, complete strangers at Walmart, the homeless guy on the corner begging for money, Everyone. So if I ever run into you, you better be ready to come in for the real thing!!!!!!!!
March 14, 2008 at 4:30 am
LOL! I grew up in a huggie family, but don’t want to touch anyone except those closest to me. (I’m a rebel) You should’ve gone in for the "guy hug": lean off to one side (usually the right), hug with one arm and just give a quick, hard pat on the back.
Are you really eating all that from the blender? Wouldn’t it be better just to cook the egg whites & oatmeal separately and enjoy the taste / fullness? Blech - I couldn’t have kept that down.
March 14, 2008 at 6:09 am
Oh, so thats where the " Head Nod " and " Blowing Kisses " came from….the Asians!! lol.
What I cant stand are people who like to be 6 inches away from your face when they talk to you!!!
March 14, 2008 at 10:44 am
I thought it was just me! Raised by my mother (chinese) I’m not touchy feellie either. I’m just now getting used to hugging people. I still don’t like when people touch me though.
You, me and Pix are going to have to get together one day….don’t worry you won’t have to cook. We can go OUT to eat. Please? lol
March 14, 2008 at 11:56 am
Cultures definatly seem to make a difference on personal space. I’m SUCH a hugger! And i’m big on eye contact. When i worked in Social Work we were taught not to try to get too much eye contact with aboriginals because they really dont like eye contact as a rule. We just have to feel each person out and see what their comfort level is I think.
Of course…being italian…watch out for ‘over hugging’ and ‘Cheek pinching’….which in my family has turned more to ‘bootie smacking’ lmao!
March 14, 2008 at 6:46 pm
I was practically raised Amish (not the most "public display of affection" well known group), but am a total hugger. Run when you see me.
March 15, 2008 at 5:07 am
LOL. I kno what you mean. When i was growing up, my parents were not affectionate people. My fathers side of the family is Cantonese. So growing up, i did not hug people. Surprisingly, my brothers hugged alot, but they did not learn it in the house. I only learned to hug people when i was 20. My best friend taught me to hug people i was close with. She was a hugger, so eventually she got me to hug her. I am still hesitant to just hug anyone, so i understand what you mean. Do what makes you feel comfortable. Whoever doesn’t like it will eventually get over it.
take care.
March 15, 2008 at 4:38 pm
You and I should definitely hang out sometime. I don’t like hugging either and for some reason everyone just knows it. I can be standing with other people and they will begin to hug, but no one bothers even trying to touch me.
I will try to concentrate on what it is about me that people just know. Maybe I can put it in a spray for you?