Editor’s Note: This article is meant to stimulate discussion. The views and opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the author, the Iron Warrior, or the Engineering Society.
Recently, there has been a significant increase in performative people, most notably recognized in the male species. What makes someone performative, you might ask? Well, an easy way to spot a performative male is too look for thrifted clothes, a matcha drink of some sort (usually a latte or strawberry matcha), a Labubu or bag charms, tote bag, and a book, either about feminism, or female appealing subjects. In a conversation with a performative male they will make it known he listens to Clario, and is a raging pick-me. You might be thinking, “Oh, but pick-me men are so great! It’s romantic and sweet!” but no; pick-me men are to be left in the movies and TV shows, not on the streets or in cafes. Performative women, on the other hand, usually get lumped into the same genre as “not like other girls,” partaking in Clash Royale or Clash of Clans, carrying an energy drink they don’t actually like, and always on the man’s side whether he is right or wrong. The performative girl is not exempt from carrying a matcha as an accessory either. There have been so many times where I have seen women carry around a matcha, or trending drink they don’t like, just as an accessory. Whether you are a man, woman, or identify as something else, I have noticed a lot of activities and features of these performative people have something in common: most are things Asian people just do as a stereotype. Reading and studying in a cafe? Asians are always studying everywhere. Drinking matcha? Matcha is a Japanese drink.
Now let’s get into the real issue. It started when I saw this video online of someone saying, “You can’t be performative if you’re Asian; you’re just being Asian”. The reason this person said this is because these trends are noticeably Asian culture, and it all started with matcha. Now, when I saw the video it made me pretty happy. I have been enjoying matcha for years now as my preferred drink of choice. In recent times I haven’t been able to get matcha due to the matcha shortage as a result of the popularity. Not only can I no longer get matcha, but the lower quality end of it I can’t even afford now. I went from drinking 6 concentrated cups of matcha a day to none, and when I order a matcha in a cafe I feel super weird, because a majority think matcha tastes like grass but continue to drink it because it’s trendy. Then I remembered the online video! Not only am I a woman, I am Asian as well. I am simply being Asian. Also, PSA to the matcha trend followers, I believe the new Asian drink that is trending is going to be hojicha.
Next on the chopping block: POP MART, the blind box industry, and Labubus. Some people think that the Labubu trend only lasted 3-4 months in western side before it died out. However, Labubus, blind boxes, and bag charms were a trend long before it ever came to North America. Labubus were released through the creator and POP MART in 2019, became a trend in China, slowly began to die in China, and was noticed in the US from notable celebrities having them. By the time we caught onto the trend, China was already onto the next new thing. Now the creatures are dangling off of performative men’s belt loops on the NYC subway, a symbol of consumerism and bandwagoners.
I think it’s time to discuss the more touchy subject: Asian food, separate from matcha and hojicha. There has been a notable increase in people enjoying Asian cuisine, which is great. I think that each culture has wonderful dishes, and the more people who enjoy it, the better. My problem is with the people who habitually bullied and openly viewed Asian food as disgusting, stinky, and therefore we are weird and nasty for eating it. Those same people are now talking like, “OMG lets go to that FOUGH place! I LOVEEEEEEEE FOUGH!!!” Or something like, “Let’s get dim sum, I’ve been craving it!” Like, you’ve got to be kidding me, you are the same person that absolutely stomped and smeared me to shreds just for eating a fried egg with soy sauce on rice. People can change and grow, however this is performative, and bandwagoning just because Asian food and products go viral. There is also a huge tier list that’s kind of unspoken where the Koreans are usually the best Asian; they have the esports, skincare, kpop, kdramas, and more food that people are willing to try and like. Japan is cute, clean, known for being very friendly, and they have the travel rabbit hole which we will not be getting into. Whereas Chinese (real Chinese food), Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, Filipino, and other foods and culture aren’t seen as shiny and nice to the west.
Now this isn’t to hate; you can enjoy what you wish, just don’t be fake about it. Why waste time and money on this surface level stuff when it isn’t what you like? And even if you think that Asian food, or anyone’s food, is the most horrendous thing to ever graze your pallet, just be nice about it. Just say it isn’t for you and move on. I don’t want to hear about how disgusting I am for eating it, and how I’m a monster for eating innards or chicken feet. At the end of the day, being performative is just playing pretend.
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