Do you make your students take an "English name"?

Like if you can't see why there shouldn't at least be an examination as to why a bunch of kids on the other side of the ocean feel they need to adopt a different name in order to make foreigners/Americans happy,

I would have liked the option of "Do you actively discourage using English nicknames?'
I do, especially for my Chinese students but it's usually futile. I use Korean names for the ocassional korean students that I get even when they povide me with English ones.

Because its been a tedious cycle for months. At least hangook and van were entertaining to poke with a stick.

I do find it amusing when users on this board (VanIslander, gogators, L I, and now DM) try to tell me how things work in China.

I do find it amusing when users on this board (VanIslander, gogators, L I, and now DM) try to tell me how things work in China.

DM is a past master at telling everyone how things work in a country he has never been to.   

Because its been a tedious cycle for months. At least hangook and van were entertaining to poke with a stick.

I’m starting to miss old Van.

745Sticky, you're seriously suggesting that people DON'T feel pressured to adopt English names either in the classroom or when they move abroad? Are you seriously suggesting that name-based bias and prejudice isn't a thing?

I do find it amusing when users on this board (VanIslander, gogators, L I, and now DM) try to tell me how things work in China.

How long have you been in China, not saying you don't have some insight, but I'd think there might be limitations? Surely your knowledge of China isn't comprehensive.

And "I'm a Westerner teaching in an Islamic Country, therefore I understand Islamic sentiment" would have limitations and I think that might be the case here as well. Not saying your insight is invalid or baseless, just it might not be comprehensive.

DM is a past master at telling everyone how things work in a country he has never been to.   

I'm sorry I questioned the veracity of someone who once claimed that Gangnam Station area was for "the elite" and that it was a minefield of drunks, vomit and used condoms from his lofty penthouse of a one-room next to the alley behind the CGV. This neighborhood of course being exclusive and unknown to the waygook population of Korea.

How can I not accept his word, especially when he is claiming dozens of hotel listings on multiple sites with hundreds of reviews are actually fake and what is shown isn't real.

If there's ever someone connected with reality it's this dottering has-been who thinks the entire village is enamored with his generosity and every kid ever has loved having their name changed and no one has a problem with such a practice.

Right up there with the guy who thinks he knows Thailand better and I'm wrong for thinking prostitution there is exploitative. Really his experiences of being blown out of his skull on drugs and getting cheap hookers and them actually being happy to have known his kindness and generosity is the real deal. How dare I question that and look at such things as human rights experts who cite human trafficking and exploitative practices. No, the druggie burnout is the one with his pulse on reality.

How long have you been in China, not saying you don't have some insight, but I'd think there might be limitations? Surely your knowledge of China isn't comprehensive.

Going on 11 years. You're hardly the worst offender. VanIslander tried to tell me that the Walmart I went to wasn't a real Walmart. Gogators tried to educate me on how the double reduction policy had closed the school I was working at. L I was kind enough to let me know that my drinking habits were out of line with mainstream culture.

Don't any of you think that marti's butthurtedness might stem from the fact that growing up in the big mitten,  he might look a little out of place being named...  something like mark, john, paul, luke...  whatever it may be, being korean race but named something like that...  maybe that frigged him up real good... 

Going on 11 years. You're hardly the worst offender. VanIslander tried to tell me that the Walmart I went to wasn't a real Walmart. Gogators tried to educate me on how the double reduction policy had closed the school I was working at. L I was kind enough to let me know that my drinking habits were out of line with mainstream culture.

Oy. Yeah, that's a bit out of pocket of them.

Don't any of you think that marti's butthurtedness might stem from the fact that growing up in the big mitten,  he might look a little out of place being named...  something like mark, john, paul, luke...  whatever it may be, being korean race but named something like that...  maybe that frigged him up real good... 

Ryan?

I wonder if could be that “EnglishTeacherRyan” who briefly posted on Dave’s years back. Anyone remember him?

Don't any of you think that marti's butthurtedness might stem from the fact that growing up in the big mitten,  he might look a little out of place being named...  something like mark, john, paul, luke...  whatever it may be, being korean race but named something like that...  maybe that frigged him up real good...

Uhm, you do realize that SE Michigan is pretty diverse. Like the largest concentration of Middle Eastern immigrants in the U.S. And A2? That's big city levels of diversity, I was on a farm just outside the city limits, but still in the township so went to schools. Probably 50X as diverse as the places it seems a lot of people on here grew up, given how oblivious most come across. My dad was eating at the Korean restaurant when he was in college in the early 60s. Now there's probably close to a dozen Korean restaurants in the city. Korean community probably 3-5k. Also, it is one of the most liberal cities in America. Like Portland levels. Probably 15-20 years ahead of the curve on being PC. I can only imagine what it's like. The thing is, at the time I thought it was a bit much, but I think they got a good balance. Looking back, there were some things I was still blind to and should have been more aware of. I'm glad that the environment was like that instead of some regressive one. Now, that doesn't mean I feel the same way now with some things, but I do think there are points with others.

"You're a minority you must have been bullied" sounds more like projection. Not surprising that for some that's the first thing that comes to mind. They can't conceptualize a world where someone thinks like this except for bullying. "The only way someone would think it's important to call people by their actual name is if they had been bullied!" Like, WTF?  Some of you are just completely out of whack when it comes to perspective. With these kinds of statements it just shows more and more the mindset at play.


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Digression- Like my H.S. was REALLY diverse and really liberal and as time has gone on, I'm starting to realize how much of an exception it is. Like habitually amongst people of my generation and older I am shocked at how little familiarity with minority figures, particularly in AA literature and history and events there is and even some Western cultural things. I think this might skew my perspective growing up in hyper-educated, hyper-diverse, hyper-liberal environment relative to the average person, even here. Also, not many people got the trifecta of a rural-suburban-urban experience like I got thanks to a relatively unique location.

I would say, that people thinking this isn't a thing or an issue...you're really showing your age and blindspots. I would NOT handwave any issues a student/employee were to raise about identity, terms of address, and ethnic heritage and feeling pressured, especially if you are working in a publicly-funded setting. Just my advice.

Regarding China, I think it's worth mentioning that they don't just ask foreigners to take Chinese names. Ethnic Kazakhs, Uighurs, Russians, Mongols, Tatars, Tibetans, and other groups I probably missed who have Chinese nationality are also given legal Chinese names alongside their indigenous names, both of which show up on their ID cards. While some systems will allow for Roman characters if the user is a foreigner with a foreign passport, Chinese ID card holders need to use their Chinese name no matter their ethnicity. Even celebrities like Diliraba Dilmurat go by Chinese monickers.

Uhm, you do realize that SE Michigan is pretty diverse. Like the largest concentration of Middle Eastern immigrants in the U.S. And A2? That's big city levels of diversity, I was on a farm just outside the city limits, but still in the township so went to schools. Probably 50X as diverse as the places it seems a lot of people on here grew up, given how oblivious most come across. My dad was eating at the Korean restaurant when he was in college in the early 60s. Now there's probably close to a dozen Korean restaurants in the city. Korean community probably 3-5k. Also, it is one of the most liberal cities in America. Like Portland levels. Probably 15-20 years ahead of the curve on being PC. I can only imagine what it's like. The thing is, at the time I thought it was a bit much, but I think they got a good balance. Looking back, there were some things I was still blind to and should have been more aware of. I'm glad that the environment was like that instead of some regressive one. Now, that doesn't mean I feel the same way now with some things, but I do think there are points with others.

"You're a minority you must have been bullied" sounds more like projection. Not surprising that for some that's the first thing that comes to mind. They can't conceptualize a world where someone thinks like this except for bullying. "The only way someone would think it's important to call people by their actual name is if they had been bullied!" Like, WTF?  Some of you are just completely out of whack when it comes to perspective. With these kinds of statements it just shows more and more the mindset at play.


=============================================================
Digression- Like my H.S. was REALLY diverse and really liberal and as time has gone on, I'm starting to realize how much of an exception it is. Like habitually amongst people of my generation and older I am shocked at how little familiarity with minority figures, particularly in AA literature and history and events there is and even some Western cultural things. I think this might skew my perspective growing up in hyper-educated, hyper-diverse, hyper-liberal environment relative to the average person, even here. Also, not many people got the trifecta of a rural-suburban-urban experience like I got thanks to a relatively unique location.

I would say, that people thinking this isn't a thing or an issue...you're really showing your age and blindspots. I would NOT handwave any issues a student/employee were to raise about identity, terms of address, and ethnic heritage and feeling pressured, especially if you are working in a publicly-funded setting. Just my advice.

I knew a good Marti post was coming, and he didn't disappoint.  Nobody outside of SE Michigan would realize anything about it.  It's nowhere.  Interesting, though.  As someone from what is often referred to as the most culturally diverse city in the world, I always thought you came across as a hick who for argument's sake would pull a "I have so many (minority name here) friends" line. 

I also agree that Marti was likely, and unfortunately, ostracized as a youngster and that was only compounded when he came here.  I have had a couple of non-bitter Korean adoptee friends here and they have said its difficult when Koreans look at you and expect you to speak Korean and you can't.  And these "arrogant western ignoramuses" that occupy most of Marti's mind are being welcomed more readily.  I agree whole heartedly that would be tough.  However, my two friends seemed to adjust well.  Both actually married Korean women and don't spend all their day being angry at the world on social media. 

"We're just so much more educated, diverse, and liberal than other areas."

"We're just so much more educated, diverse, and liberal than other areas."

That IS A2. While in some ways that diversity and liberalism is great (repeatedly voted Best City in America over the years and a fixture in the Top-10). But yeah it did get preachy and insufferable.

And yeah it really was a great place to live in the 90s (overrated IMO now- really getting expensive). Environmentally aware, blanket free wifi, in the early-mid 90s REALLY low crime, one of the best Unis and hospitals in the U.S., massive amounts of parks, trees, and yes bike lanes. Some of us would have loved the uber-liberal drug laws (Possession was a $25 ticket). Arts and traveling performances were great. Like living in the United Federation of Planets.

Of course right next door are Ypsi, Howell and Detroit... All that fancy was really just setting up shop in Versailles...

I also agree that Marti was likely, and unfortunately, ostracized as a youngster and that was only compounded when he came here.  I have had a couple of non-bitter Korean adoptee friends here and they have said its difficult when Koreans look at you and expect you to speak Korean and you can't.  And these "arrogant western ignoramuses" that occupy most of Marti's mind are being welcomed more readily.  I agree whole heartedly that would be tough.  However, my two friends seemed to adjust well.  Both actually married Korean women and don't spend all their day being angry at the world on social media. 

"If you disagree with me, you must have been bullied." Okay.

Again, it's revealing that in your thoughts the only explanation for a minority disagreeing with you is they must have been bullied.

Anyways, I was THE most popular kid in my class in both elementary and middle school. H.S. I was more of a Ferris Buellery type where basically I down with everyone.

I will say, that the people on the internet, whining about another culture, whining about a place even though they've moved away, lashing out with bias and bigotry, and having a massively lofty opinion of themselves and tastes as overcompensation for a mediocre standing in life, and doing such petty things as bashing people for their taste in music, that stuff has a ton of red flags too.

I'd say if there is a source of angst in me, it's probably the fact that it's probably that I partied too much in late H.S. and college and this lack of discipline resulted in me not maximizing my talent in a professional setting. Probably cost me Ivy League and some fancy gig. Truth be told though, I would have hated that environment. At least in my 20s. You know the itch some of you feel with travel and getting out of Korea, that's how I feel with groups of people. Can't stand any one group continuously. Really important to have different circles with different tastes styles and view.

So there, use that for whatever insults and counter-arguments you need. Just opened up the playbook for you. Enjoy!

Anyways, I was THE most popular kid in my class in both elementary and middle school.

Is that because of your personality, or because you shared your Dunkaroos with the class at recess? Maybe you brought an extra Fruit by the Foot just to buy them off.

Is that because of your personality, or because you shared your Dunkaroos with the class at recess? Maybe you brought an extra Fruit by the Foot just to buy them off.

He just misspelled pompous.

I was THE most popular kid in my class in both elementary and middle school. H.S. I was more of a Ferris Buellery type where basically I down with everyone.

This has to be sarcastic, right?

Is that because of your personality, or because you shared your Dunkaroos with the class at recess? Maybe you brought an extra Fruit by the Foot just to buy them off.

I don't know, I was just me. Who knows with kids? Probably because whatever I did, they enjoyed within themselves.

Still, why this assumption that I was bullied? I don't get it. "MIinority disagrees with me, they must have been bullied." I dunno, sounds like a pretty moronic thought process to me, but that's just my opinion.

This has to be sarcastic, right?

It's just how it was. I don't know.

Sounds to me like your first brush with popularity was when you came here and some group of kids complimented you on whatever midlevel talent it is you have.