Asian Nail Salons
March 3rd, 2008 by Mike
I recently read an article by Mr. Gary Lee about Asian stereotypes and while I in no way support or disagree with his post, it did however inspire this one.
I live in Canada and while Canada is a multi-cultural country there seems to be a phenomenon occurring within Canadian shopping malls. I should probably put a disclaimer here by saying that I’m just making an observation, so please don’t hate me! On the other hand though, as the saying goes, “if you’re going to make an omelet, you have to break a few eggs.” OK so you can now consider yourself warned. 
I was recently in Arizona and it has to be one of the whitest places in North America. I mean there are visible minorities there but almost everyone I saw down there was Caucasian. I don’t think I saw any Asian people until one fateful day when I went to a shopping mall…
Have you ever noticed that in shopping malls there is almost always a nail salon? And have you ever noticed that the nail salons are staffed by people of Asian descent? Well even in Arizona where only 1.9% of the population is Asian, the nail salon was fully staffed by Asian people. I understand that like many businesses, this one is probably family-run. I just find it interesting that every time I see a nail salon in a mall, the staff is almost exclusively Asian.
P.S. I’m just making a simple observation so please don’t hate me. Thanks.
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Posted: March 3rd, 2008 under McKinlay Musings, Mike's Travels.
Comments: 12
How dare you speak your mind! I’m am shocked that you have the nerve to say what you see. Shame on you!
That’s ok cause I hate you too Nick!
Mike, yes all nail places are owned by Asians. Particularly Vietnamese. The reason is because Vietnam used to be occupied by France. The French are particularly enamored with nails. You might have heard of the French Cut? That’s where the tips of the nails are painted white. My cousin really likes that look. That’s how I know. Peace out.
Great comment Wingman and you’ve broadened my understanding of the world in which we live.
I hate you . . . j/k . . . . i’m not gonna lie . . i notice that too . . i notice a lot of jobs that certain minorities do more than others . . . I don’t think it’s really that racist to notice these kind of things . . the only thing that would be racist would be to assume all asians know how to do your nails
What??? You mean they don’t??? Just kidding! But I will have you know that “Wingman” who has posted a comment above is 100% Chinese Canadian! Although if I took his comment at face value all French people would also know how to do my nails!
Thankfully everyone understood what you were saying there Mike and Kudos to everyone who posted a comment.
These days it seems that if you make an observation and comment about it, zillions of people want to point out the political correctness and that really pi#### me off.
The comment by “Wingman” was interesting and does make a lot of sense as the French were kicked out of Vietnam way before America.
However while they were there, they did impose (Okay it is the only word I could think of!) there customs on the Vietnamese.
In Australia at one time in the late 80’s to early 90’s, it seemed like every “Fish + chip” shop was owned by Vietnamese.
Their Family values are so strong and they really pull together for the family thus, no individual salary is/was paid to an individual family member and all monies went into the family coffers.
I had a great Vietnamese friend in Australia and his family were truly the “Salt of the earth” towards me and really enjoyed going around to his house and seeing how warm they were to each other.
Keith
That’s cool Keith. Yeah I’ve got one friend who was a baby when her family left Vietnam. I know that doesn’t sound that remarkable but then again she did leave the country on an old rickety boat that was attacked by pirates somewhere out on the ocean.
Eventually, they somehow made it to Malaysia or some other country and were then detained in a refugee camp. Somehow Canada came along and accepted them as immigrants.
I’m sure her parents worked very hard ever since they immigrated here. I mean they came to Canada with nothing but the clothes on their backs, yet they now live a very comfortable life in Canada. It’s pretty amazing how tough a group of people can be.
http://www.ncvaonline.org/archive/reporter092204.shtml#GETTING_A_TOEHOLD
Apparently 80% of all nail shops in California are owned by Vietnamese. Peace out.
Once again another great comment by the Wingman!
Yes majority Nail Salon were owned by Vietnamese …so what is the problem? someone have to do something to make a living
…it still better to go to welfare… huh
Ain’t nothing wrong with the Nail Salon! It’s probably a very good business to be in!