The Outgroup Homogeneity Effect.

[ladislav]

Groups near us look different. Groups far from us look the same.
To an average Caucasian person, all Orientals look the same. He can't tell the Chinese from the Japanese from Filipinos, from Thais, etc.
Some people capitalize on that. In mid-America, Cambodians open up Japanese restaurants, and Burmese people open up Thai restaurants. Chinese students dress up like samurais and work at sushi bars. Hey, an average white ( or black) person can't tell the difference.
Likewise, to an average Oriental person, all white people ( and- predominantly- white countries) are the same. To many of them, for example, even Russia and America are the same country. Yes, siree!
When I was in Kiev, Ukraine, I saw many ads from China recruiting English teachers. These were cheaper than Americans but looked American enough to be hired. Chinese parents loved having Ukrainians teach their kids. They looked like English speakers.
One Filipino person told me, "USSR is just like the United States. "
President Putin and President Biden look the same to them.
But not only that, Iran and America to many of them are the same country.
Since America is the most vocal of all ( predominantly) white countries, any white person ( even an Iranian) is assumed to be an American.
And people capitalize on that. To an average Filipina, a porener, an American and a white man are three identical concepts. All wealthy beyond measure, all English speaking, all worthy of love and respect.
Thus, they enjoy the smiles, the flirts, and the overall popularity for being " Americans" even if they are Iranians.
If you are not American, do understand that all the welcome you get from a stranger on Philippine streets and all the interest you get from the local ladies is more often than not because they think you are an American.
Even if you are a Macedonian.
They can't tell the difference.
So, enjoy the ride, and don't forget to say, " God Bless America!"