This week’s post by Shuan S. is one of the least understood and documented of Asian Habits. However, it is very true (I did this in a parking lot for about 30 minutes before we finally chose the right pho place to eat at). Check it out to see what I mean.
Asian people enjoy meeting and gathering in many places such as AP classes, computer labs, karaoke bars, association clubs, and Asian restaurants. These places provide a sense of familiarity, connection, and shared interest to Asians. However, no gathering place better defines Asian culture than the average everyday parking lot. Whenever Asian people are done in one place and are not sure where they’re going next, they default to the parking lot. It makes a lot of sense: It is immediately accessible, it’s outdoors, the building manager can’t complain because they’re customers, and it’s free (http://www.asian-central.com/stuffasianpeoplelike/2009/03/20/112-cheapness/).
Just as interesting as this behavior, are the dynamics of these gatherings. Asian people will naturally form a rough circle, with everyone distancing themselves from the people they like least. Standing next to someone means anything from: “I like you” or “I’d like to get to know you,” all the way to “I’m sorry.” Breaking off from the circle implies that you have private matters to discuss in the comfort of three feet away (Indeed, many a romance has begun and ended this way).
If you are ever in a group of Asians, you should not get ambitious and outright recommend the parking lot. It is considered poor form to acknowledge it as a gathering place, as opposed to an intermediate waiting area. Rather, you should wait for a lull in the conversation and say, “Let’s figure out where we’re going now;” perhaps “I’m going to have a smoke,” or “I think they want us out of here.”
As you start to get up and gather your things, they will understand that it’s time to go to the parking lot. Once there, you are not obligated to discuss places to go, smoke or leave the premises, but are free to talk about #94 Jay Chou, #14 Honda Civics, or #25 take pictures.
We here at SAPL hope you enjoyed this week’s post. See you all next week!
Last 5 posts by Peter
- #145 Being Crazy Rich Asians - June 22nd, 2020
- Stuff Asian People Like Book Deal! - June 13th, 2020
- #144 Donnie Yen (Ip Man 3 DVD Release) - April 27th, 2016
- #143 Managing Restaurants (ft. Professor Chen) - July 20th, 2015
- #142 "Lindorsements" (Being Linteresting) - October 2nd, 2014
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5 responses so far ↓
1 Food #122 Parking Lot Gathering | India Restaurants // Jul 18, 2009 at 12:35 am
[...] Originally posted here: #122 Parking Lot Gathering [...]
2 Linh // Jul 22, 2009 at 9:53 am
This blog is so hilarious! I could spend all day reading your entertaining, and completely true, posts! (And I have!)
3 Peter // Jul 23, 2009 at 10:52 am
Thanks Linh!
4 foshizzle // Jul 24, 2009 at 10:15 pm
It’s usually because there’s nothing to do and we’re just standing around trying to figure out what to do…then we go home.
5 Paul // Sep 17, 2010 at 7:43 am
Haha, Asians with decidophobia = loitering~
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