During his junior year in college, he dated a white guy for a few weeks before being casually dumped when the relationship was about to get serious. I think the only reason he dated me was because he was intrigued by my 'exoticness' and when I didn't fit the stereotypes he expected, he lost interest. Traditionally and historically, gay Asian men are seen as young, thin, submissive, and exotic. It's hard to quantify what makes people attracted to others. There's racism, preference, stigma, and stereotypes.
Looks are everything.
No one just wants to be friends, unless they're attracted to you. The desire to fit in has led Alex to downplay his Chinese heritage and appearance. I know my culture. But because Asians are still seen as foreign in the gay community, whenever I meet someone I want them to just think of me as a person, although all he might see is an Asian guy. I wanted to transcend that.