Wasian: The Best of Both Worlds or Just a Lifetime of “What Are You?”
I was nine years old the first time someone asked me, “So, like… what are you?”
It wasn’t the last.
If you’re Wasian—part White, part Asian—you know exactly what I mean. It’s a lifetime of checkboxes that don’t quite fit, confused stares from distant relatives, and the inevitable, “Wow, you look so exotic!” comment that makes you question whether you should say thank you or just walk away.
Wasian identity is a strange, beautiful, sometimes frustrating experience. It’s being able to use chopsticks better than your cousins but still being scolded for not knowing your full Asian name. It’s looking in the mirror and seeing your mom’s almond-shaped eyes and your dad’s European nose, never quite sure which side you resemble more. It’s knowing that no matter where you go, you’re either too Asian, not Asian enough, too White, or not White enough.
But before we get too deep, let’s start with the basics.
What Is a Wasian?
A Wasian is someone of mixed White (Caucasian) and Asian descent. The term itself is a mashup—“White” + “Asian” = Wasian. Pretty straightforward, right? Except that identity never is.
The Wasian experience varies wildly depending on what kind of mix you are. Half-Japanese, half-Italian? Your life is probably a Studio Ghibli film with amazing pasta. Half-Korean, half-Irish? You’ve mastered both K-pop moves and whiskey jokes. Half-Filipino, half-German? Your family gatherings are either the best party ever or a complete identity crisis.
And let’s not forget the glorious mix of cultural traditions. Lunar New Year? Christmas? BOTH. With double the food and double the expectations.
The Eternal Confusion: “But You Don’t Look…”
If you’re Wasian, you’ve probably been mistaken for at least five different ethnicities. At least. People will confidently tell you that you must be Mexican, Polynesian, Middle Eastern, or even Hawaiian. You’ll get the classic, “You don’t look that Asian,” or “I knew you were mixed, but I couldn’t figure out what.”
Strangers will play detective with your face like they’re assembling a puzzle.
And don’t even get me started on the “Where are you really from?” conversation. Because apparently, saying “California” is never enough.
Wasian Privilege (Or Lack Thereof?)
Now, let’s talk about privilege. Wasians exist in a strange gray area where we sometimes benefit from White privilege… but also experience racial discrimination.
White people might assume we’re “not that Asian” and therefore more socially acceptable. Meanwhile, Asian relatives might remind us that we’ll never fully belong. It’s like being stuck in a cultural limbo, where you can pass as White in some spaces but still get microaggressions in others.
It’s also a weird space when it comes to representation. Growing up, you rarely saw Wasian leads in movies. If they existed, they were usually cast as ambiguous, racially flexible side characters. And even today, the entertainment industry still doesn’t quite know what to do with us.
Unless you’re Keanu Reeves. Then you just exist in your own godly realm.
Dating as a Wasian: A Circus of Expectations
If you’re Wasian, dating can be… complicated.
Asian communities might see you as “too White” to fully understand their culture. White communities might fetishize you as their “Asian experience.” And in between, you’re just trying to exist as a person, not an aesthetic.
There’s also the unfortunate reality that some people only date mixed-race individuals because they think it’s “exotic.” (Cringe.) Or that people expect you to look like some flawless K-drama star when, in reality, you’re just trying to figure out if your hair should be wavy or straight today.
And let’s not forget the ones who assume you speak fluent Mandarin, Japanese, or Korean… only to be deeply disappointed when all you know is how to order food.
Wasian Babies: The Internet Obsession
Let’s be real: the internet has an unhealthy obsession with mixed-race babies.
If you’ve ever fallen down a TikTok or Pinterest rabbit hole, you’ve probably seen endless posts about “beautiful Wasian children.” People go wild over the combination of Asian and European features, as if mixed-race kids are some kind of superior breed.
Newsflash: Wasians are not designer accessories. We are not an aesthetic. We are people with complex identities, cultural struggles, and a whole lot of existential questions.
That being said… yes, some of us do have amazing cheekbones.
So… Is Being Wasian a Blessing or a Curse?
Honestly? It’s both.
Being Wasian means living in two worlds but never fully belonging to either. It means constantly answering the “What are you?” question and never quite knowing how much detail to give. It means embracing both cultures while also carving out your own identity, separate from what people expect.
It’s confusing. It’s beautiful. It’s sometimes exhausting.
But at the end of the day, it’s ours. And if nothing else, at least we get to celebrate twice as many holidays.
