Kid Ethnic: Mixed-Race Adventures in Japan: Halfie's Personal Dignity on Decline

Halfie's Personal Dignity on Decline · 14 October 04

UPDATE FOR ENGLISH STUDENTS OF MINE WHO HAVE MYSTERIOUSLY FOUND THIS WEB SITE: Hey guys, it’s cool if you call me “Salee-chan”.

I don’t mind at all. I think it’s funny.

“Personal dignity” is kind of how you think of yourself. But don’t worry, my personal dignity is fine.

What I wrote was a sort of joke. It is a little hard for me to explain why it might be funny, but the important thing is you can continue to call me any name you want.

As long as it is not a bad word.
——-

The proper title for a Japanese teacher is sensei. This roughly translates to “honorable master”. So, when I began teaching here, the students called me Saleem-sensei.

“Honorable Master Saleem”.

Which made me feel extra special. In the same class as Mr. Miyagi.

But a group of young women just started a movement to change my working title. To “Salee-chan”.

Rough translation: “Saleemie-weemie-poo”.

The new name is spreading quickly.

I fear this makes me look like slightly less of an awesomely intimidating authority figure.

Tips on restoring my dignity and perceived power would be greatly appreciated.

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claim to belong to a secret american religion and claim you sacrificed children who are absent from school to your god of anger.
— DMAC 1306 days ago #
look at em and say “nandeyo!?” which is the japanese equivalent of, “Hizzy you lookin at, wanksta!?!”
I also give out an evil gaikokojin face similar to that seen on the back covers of cheap hiphop albums, commonly referred to as a “thug mug,” and very poorly immitated in the japanese hip hop community. Most probably due to the respectful nod which often follows it, but hey, mug and bow, we need more respect
— thug mug 1306 days ago #
Mr. Miyagi now that is old school.

Ah, the swoons of young women that adore Saleem are keeping him down again. Must be rough.
Seriously though, maybe you could create an assignment around respect or dignity. And your example could be that Saleem-sensei makes you feel respected, while Salee-chan does not. Maybe that is too complex, but it was just a thought.
— Keith 1305 days ago #
Man, I ain’t never made nobody swoon.

I’m thinking more along the lines of ‘start waring a fake moustache and top hat’.

I bet if I had a moustache and top hat the ’-ie-weemie-poo’ suffix would disappear.

And maybe got a corncob pipe.
— saleem 1305 days ago #
Yo, it doesn’t seem like it’s bothering you much! :)
— Ela 1305 days ago #
“Man, I ain’t never made nobody swoon.”

That is the biggest lie in the world. I bet we could interview 300 young women at UNC and find that 80-85% of them know of the lengendary ‘Saleem’..... Face it by spending an extended time in one spot overseas you are simply extending you heriom globally.
— Keith 1304 days ago #
If it makes you feel any better, I’ve had many nicknames in my teaching career that I think are less than respectful. Some of them include Fergie, Ms. Fergie, Ferg, Ms. Ferg, Ferg-piece, and Ms. Fergizzle. I’m not even kidding you about Ms. Fergizzle. I finally decided (or at least tried to justify to myself) that any nickname must be some sign of affection, and it’s a good thing if your students like you. And you know there are women swooning over you all over the place!
— Sarah Ferg 1300 days ago #
Keith H. is a hooligan and not to be trusted.

Ferg: Ferg-piece is a rad name. Ms. Fergizzle’s not bad, either.

Yeah, I agree, nicknames are a good sign.

Note: There shall be no more mention of the word ‘swoon’ on this website.
— saleem 1298 days ago #

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