Japanese?

Throughout Laos and Cambodia, a lot of people asked where we're from.  Once we got to the part where we said we're from California, a lot of people then proceeded to talk about how a lot of people from their country are now living in California.  Often, though, there would be major hangups about being Chinese-American.

***

"Hello, where are you from?  Are you from Malaysia?"

"No, America"

"But originally, where are you from?  Japan? Korea?"

"We're Chinese"

"But you look Japanese!"

***

"Where are you from?"

"America"

"But you are originally from..."

"We're Chinese"

"CHINESE?!" (deep furrowed eyebrows) "But you look Japanese!"