Why are Koreans racist against their own people if they don't know how to speak Korean… in America?

Well, I'm half Chinese, born in an English-speaking country (Australia) to a Chinese father who has never been to China himself and also was born in an English speaking country (South Africa)- and I still don't get away with not understanding Chinese either!

I totally get you with the restaurant thing, I'll go in and they'll say how pretty I am etc- then they ask if I can speak Chinese too... and that's when all respect towards me goes flying out the window. If you're even half-Chinese and don't understand Chinese, well you get treated like crap too, because, I guess, they assume you hate yourself. It's hard to learn Chinese, I would if I could, but it is hard. Especially when no Chinese person I know can be bothered teaching me any Chinese when I ask them- and I've asked!

My thinking is, restaurant-wise, as long as you're respectful, and teach yourself to eat with chopstix, learn a phrase or two- the prejudice won't be as bad.. also, I try not to speak loud or at all...

How can they tell if you are Korean though? Preferably from your last paragraph?

Anyways, that is like China as well. Maybe these people are traditional so expects you to speak your native language fluently and embrace your culture and heritage.

I also heard they look down on westernised Koreans especially those who cannot speak fluently, its sort of like they feel you are a let down to your own people because you speak perfect English (or whatever language) than your own.

Self haters are the worse but I wouldn't say anyone who cannot speak their native language are self haters or whatever but that is probably what they think of.

@Your comment,

Same here, I hate self-haters and few Koreans preferably western born like you have told me this as well, they feel native Koreans think western born who cannot speak good Korean are a let down to their people and culture. Its similar to Chinese people as well, I know many western born Chinese people who cannot speak their native language or are not good enough and many Chinese consider these people as "Banana's" and think western born prefer to be a westerner than Chinese.

thats actually true for chinese ameicans too. I'm chinese american and I've seen chinese foreigners/immigrants not respect chinese americans who speak chinese. immigrants have more pride in their culture. They come from a country where they think all people who are korean should celebrate korean culture to the fullest. To them, speaking their native language is one of the most basic things you should know. Otherwise, you're seen as a disgrace. I've known chinese americans who are unable to use chopsticks. They are seen as a disgrace and a disrespect to their culture. As a korean american, it should be in your interest to try to learn as much korean as possible. Perhaps talk more with your grandparents or your older aunts/uncles from korea. And they can teach you to speak korean. Have pride in your culture. If you naturally have pride in your culture, you don't need to force yourself to have pride.

edit: Lashing out at someone just because they said you lacked pride in your own culture just means you feel its correct to not have pride.