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Why We Love Summer. And Why Some Asians Don’t
When we think of summer, we think of sun. The beach. Blue skies. Cool drinks. Our swim suit coming off as we swim in the strong yet warm ocean waters. Summer’s my favourite time of the year in Melbourne – December through to February – for many reasons. I’m sure I’m not the only one…
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When To Hug Someone. And Why Asians Don’t Always Hug
Hugging. Some of us like to be hugged, and some of us don’t. I don’t mind being hugged. Don’t mind giving hugs either. Crushing bear hugs. Soft two-second hugs. Group hugs. One arm hugs. Whether we hug someone or not depends on how we feel about them. And how they feel about us. We hug…
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Why We Get Names Wrong
When I was born, my Malaysian parents named me Mabel (may-berl). They also gave me a Chinese name, Li Teng (lee ting, 丽 婷), which is my middle name on my Australian passport. I’ve always went by my English name. Growing up, my parents called me Mabel at home. I introduced myself as Mabel when…
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When Is It Okay To Wear Cultural Costumes?
A few months ago, I was wandering through Bourke Street Mall on a summer’s Saturday afternoon and spied some buskers wearing traditional cultural attire (photo). I wondered if anyone saw this scene as racist. I stopped to watch. It stuck me as odd that they were wearing sunglasses with their outfits. There are two scenarios…
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Why Asians Don’t Say “I Love You” To Their Parents
“I love you, mom, dad.” That’s something we hear children and adults alike say to their parents in movies and TV shows. And in everyday life, of course. But funnily enough, be it in reality or the fictional worlds, the phrase of affection “I love you” is rarely uttered by Asians to their parents, whether…
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Why Asians Use Lots Of Plastic Bags
“Here’s your change and receipt,” said the Woolies cashier. I pocketed the slips of paper and stood still. She pushed the two boxes of Shapes biscuits and one packet of Freddo Frogs on the counter towards me. I waited. Where’s a plastic bag to carry my things in? That was what happened on one of…
Mabel Kwong 