01-17-2015, 02:40 PM
Thanks for sharing the link Southernmost, I enjoyed it.
A few years ago I read "Haoles in Hawai'i" (http://www.amazon.com/Haoles-Hawaii-Race...0824834054). One insight I took from it was that the word had different meanings depending on who you ask. (For example, a native Hawaiian tends to mean it differently than a Japanese with roots in plantation life; I've also heard different definitions from different Hawaiians.) Probably would be a good idea for me to re-read the book. But I'm also interested in hearing perspectives from folks of various ethnic backgrounds; book recommendations are welcome.
Rattlestaff, I'm really sorry you've had such bad experiences here. I guess I've just been lucky, no other explanation. Personally I'm not offended being called haole, even on the rare occasion it's used in a derogatory way. (Derogatory comments are a reflection of the other person, so no need to take offense.) Been called haole plenty here, almost always in good fun. Unfortunately on a forum like this you can't see the non-verbal clues that tell you it's indeed in good fun, nor do you have the relationship that allows such a comfort level.
My thick haole skin comes from growing up in a Chicago neighborhood where various ethnic groups addressed each other with politically incorrect words like "Krout", "Dago", "Mick", "Polack", etc . No one took it personally because we were friends. I also spent 10 years in Japan being called a "gaijin" (the Japanese word for foreigner, literally "outside person"). After making lots of really good Japanese friends it was easy to not take offense. Guess that's where I'm at here too.
A few years ago I read "Haoles in Hawai'i" (http://www.amazon.com/Haoles-Hawaii-Race...0824834054). One insight I took from it was that the word had different meanings depending on who you ask. (For example, a native Hawaiian tends to mean it differently than a Japanese with roots in plantation life; I've also heard different definitions from different Hawaiians.) Probably would be a good idea for me to re-read the book. But I'm also interested in hearing perspectives from folks of various ethnic backgrounds; book recommendations are welcome.
Rattlestaff, I'm really sorry you've had such bad experiences here. I guess I've just been lucky, no other explanation. Personally I'm not offended being called haole, even on the rare occasion it's used in a derogatory way. (Derogatory comments are a reflection of the other person, so no need to take offense.) Been called haole plenty here, almost always in good fun. Unfortunately on a forum like this you can't see the non-verbal clues that tell you it's indeed in good fun, nor do you have the relationship that allows such a comfort level.
My thick haole skin comes from growing up in a Chicago neighborhood where various ethnic groups addressed each other with politically incorrect words like "Krout", "Dago", "Mick", "Polack", etc . No one took it personally because we were friends. I also spent 10 years in Japan being called a "gaijin" (the Japanese word for foreigner, literally "outside person"). After making lots of really good Japanese friends it was easy to not take offense. Guess that's where I'm at here too.
Tim
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions--Confucius
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions--Confucius