This reporter had lunch and a lively discussion. Thursday with a group of nine guys in Quincy House. Six of them were roommates. Seven were science or economics concentrators or pre-meds. Three planned to attend medical school. Their median GPA: 3.625. their mean GPA: 3.6. All Wore corrective lenses.

Admit it. Your impulse to categorize is kicking in "Science concentrators... pre-meds... studious...and Quincy House, these guys must be Asian." they are but they're secure enough not to mind your inference. Over chicken sandwiches and fries with tampico seasoning, an admittedly non-random sampling of Asian manhood--roommates Dan. Khoi, Andy, Alfred, Larry, and Albert, and lunch buddies Albert, Clarence, and David--good-humoredly talked stereotypes, the media, relationships and women.

What is the stereotype?

Albert Kim `94: We're seen as weak, submissive...Daniel H. choi `94: Effeminate...

Andy Nguyen `94: Glasses, skinny, weak, always in Cabot [Science Library], plays volleyball.

Khoi T. Luu `94: I think it depends on your context of comparison...To the outside world, we're week. Within the family and community we're sexist, and wife beaters.

Is the stereotype true?

Dan: five years ago or more, I think most Asian males fit the stereotype. We're part of the new generation of Asian men. We're well groomed. We take care of our bodies and yet retain our studiousness and ambition.

Clarence S. Kwan `94: It's true and it sucks.

Albert: It's not true and it's harmful anytime you have a monolithic view of a group.

What about the alleged sexism?

Dan: I think a lot of Asian men are sexist, especially Korean men. The idea of male dominance gets passed down [through the generations].

Clarence: I think Asian men are better lovers, Caring, giving.

Dan: Clarence, man, these are random stereotypes.

David: Haven't you seen The Lover? [the film based on a novel by Marguerite Duras about her affair at age 14 with a 27 year old Chinese playboy]