🌐 前言：美國人不會明講，他們用「暗語」在表達真實想法
對新移民與亞裔來說，美國職場最難理解的不是英文，而是那些「聽起來很禮貌、其實不禮貌」的暗語。
它們看起來像關心、像建議、像聊天，但背後藏著偏見、壓力、權力、甚至歧視。
而且因為我們來自亞洲文化，很多人不會直接講出「我不舒服」，
才更容易被這些暗語傷到、甚至不小心 internalize（內化）。
1️⃣ 「Your English is really good.」
表面上：稱讚你英文好。
實際含意：我以為你英文會很差；你不是 native speaker。
如果對方不會稱讚白人的英文，那這就是 microaggression。
💬 安全回覆：
Thanks — communication is important in our work.
2️⃣ 「Where are you really from?」
表面上：聊天。
實際含意：你不是「真正的」美國人。
💬 可用的回覆：
I'm from here — I live in California.Are you asking about my cultural background?
3️⃣ 「You’re so quiet. I thought you were shy.」
表面上：觀察。
實際含意：你不適合領導、不敢說話、不夠 assertive。
💬 回覆：
I speak when needed. I focus on clarity and results.
4️⃣ 「You people work really hard.」
表面上：稱讚。
實際含意：你們亞洲人不是靠能力，而是靠努力填補。
💬 回覆：
We focus on results and expertise — effort is just part of it.
5️⃣ 「You have an accent — but it’s cute.」
表面上：稱讚。
實際含意：你不是 native speaker，我在 remind 你你的身份。
💬 回覆：
Everyone has an accent — it means we bring diversity.
6️⃣ 「I didn’t expect you to be so assertive.」
表面上：驚訝。
實際含意：以為你會安靜、順從、或被動。
💬 回覆：
I communicate based on the project needs.
7️⃣ 「Can you help me take notes?」
表面上：需要幫忙。
實際含意：你是女人、你是亞洲人，所以你來做行政雜事。
💬 回覆：
I'm happy to rotate tasks — who’s taking notes next time?
8️⃣ 「You’re very polite.」
表面上：稱讚。
實際含意：你太 nice、可以 push、比較容易被壓。
9️⃣ 「I didn’t think English was your first language.」
表面上：觀察。
實際含意：你不是 insider，不屬於 mainstream。
🔟 「This is just how things work here in America.」
表面上：說明文化。
實際含意：你不懂、你要配合、你比較低位階。
🌈 結語：這不是你的問題，而是文化差異與權力問題
很多新移民以為是自己英文不夠好、講話不夠大聲、反應不夠快。
但真相是：
這些暗語是美國職場文化的一部分，不代表你不好、不代表你弱。
下一篇我們會討論：
🌐 Introduction: Americans rarely say things directly — they use “coded language”
For many immigrants and Asian professionals, the hardest part of working in the U.S. isn’t grammar — it’s decoding polite but biased comments.
These microaggressions sound friendly on the surface but carry judgment, assumptions or power imbalance underneath.
1️⃣ “Your English is really good.”
Surface: A compliment.
Hidden meaning: I expected your English to be bad.
💬 Safe response:
Thanks — communication is important in our work.
2️⃣ “Where are you really from?”
Surface: Small talk.
Hidden meaning: You don’t belong here.
3️⃣ “You’re so quiet. I thought you were shy.”
Surface: Observation.
Hidden meaning: You lack leadership traits.
4️⃣ “You people work really hard.”
Surface: Praise.
Hidden meaning: Asians rely on effort, not talent.
5️⃣ “You have an accent — but it’s cute.”
Surface: Compliment.
Hidden meaning: You’re not a native speaker.
6️⃣ “I didn’t expect you to be so assertive.”
Surface: Surprise.
Hidden meaning: Asians are supposed to be passive.
7️⃣ “Can you take notes?”
Surface: Request.
Hidden meaning: You fit the stereotype of doing admin work.
8️⃣ “You’re very polite.”
Surface: Compliment.
Hidden meaning: You’re easy to push.
9️⃣ “I didn’t think English was your first language.”
Surface: Comment.
Hidden meaning: You’re an outsider.
🔟 “This is how things work in America.”
Surface: Explanation.
Hidden meaning: You need to adjust because you’re the minority.
🌈 Conclusion: These comments say more about them, not you
You don’t have to internalize “暗語.”
They’re reflections of stereotypes and power—not your ability or worth.
Next chapter: