Hey ... you’ve got the ‘look’

ANI AMIRKHANIAN

It never ceases to amaze me when people say to me, “You don’t look

Armenian.”

The first question that pops into my mind is, “And just what is an

Armenian supposed to look like?” It’s as though there’s a special

built-in genetic code that Armenians are programmed with to “look,”

well, Armenian.

When I hear this statement from an Armenian, I know exactly what

they are referring to. To “look Armenian,” roughly translated, means

having dark hair, thick eyebrows (sometimes attached), moderately

dark skin and a large nose -- all physical characteristics that I

lack. As a result, I get surprised looks from people when they find

out I’m Armenian.

Many people assume that I am the product of one Armenian parent

and one Caucasian. But as the product of two Armenian parents, I am

one of few Armenians who doesn’t have the typical Armenian “look.”

It always amazes me how physical features are used as a means to

separate people into categories. Certain physical characteristics

might very well imply that one is of a certain ethnic group. And race

plays a major role when it comes to establishing and maintaining

cultural identity.

I won’t exaggerate when I say that I have felt out of place around

Armenians.

When I walk into an Armenian- owned business, I always sense that

the Armenians around me assume I am of a different nationality,

because I don’t look like a typical Armenian. A lot of times, people

seem less inclined to speak to me and ask if I need help when they

don’t know that I am Armenian. But as soon as I start speaking the

language, all heads turn, and I immediately become part of the group.

I also remember the time I first met a co-worker who happened to

be Armenian. I only saw him once or maybe twice a week, so it took

him about a month to find out I was Armenian -- even after he knew I

had an Armenian name. We didn’t speak Armenian when we first met, and

he just assumed I was Caucasian.

Granted, many people feel more comfortable associating with those

of the same ethnicity and language. It’s as though there is an

instant bond between two people who can communicate in the same

language. But sometimes, at that instant, the bond is between people

who “look” similar. Armenians, as a whole, have dark hair and thick

eyebrows. As a result, these physical attributes have served as a

means for Armenians to recognize each other in passing.

I will also be the first one to admit that I think I can spot an

Armenian a mile away, even one who is lurking outside of the Armenian

community. Although many Armenians, especially women, attempt to

redefine their looks by coloring their hair or thinning their

eyebrows, there is still something that stands out and distinguishes

them as uniquely Armenian.

I suppose there is no escaping the features we are born with, even

though many people try to manipulate the way they look.

What surprises me is, many Armenians don’t realize that not all

Armenians are born with the stereotypical physical features. There is

the assumption that an Armenian with light-colored hair and a fair

complexion is born to at least one Caucasian parent.

But then again, are all Caucasians fair skinned?

Blue eyes, blond hair and pale skin are not as common within the

general Armenian popula- tion, yet the combination of two or three

tends to cause some confusion for people who expect to find only

dark-haired and dark-skinned Armenians living in their community.

So the question here is, do Armenians themselves perpetuate their

own stereotype?

I am very much inclined to say yes, they do. The stereotype is so

evident that it manifests into the general population, as well. It is

becoming more common to hear non-Armen- ians say, “I met someone who

‘looks’ to be Armenian.”

Someone once told me that centuries ago, Armenians were born with

red hair. I have known some red-haired Armenians, but I can be sure

that if one of them walked into an Armenian market and spoke in

Armenian, he or she would turn heads.

* ANI AMIRKHANIAN is a resident of Glendale, a graduate of USC and

a freelance writer. Reach her at anisaccount@yahoo.com.