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Reasons Why The Question “Where Are You From?” Is Offensive. And Not Offensive
Time and time again, some of us get the question, “Where are you from?” We might dislike this question, or we might not. It’s a matter of perspective, or rather how we’re feeling in a moment in time that we decide if we like or hate the question there and then. Chances are if we’re…
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Why Some Asians Are Hoarders. Versus The Trend Of Minimalism
Some Asians are hoarders. That is, some of us Asians like collecting things, accumulating things over time up until we struggle to find somewhere to put away all that we have. Most of my childhood and adolescent life, my Chinese parents were fond of bringing things home even when we didn’t need them. Our house…
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Reasons Why Some Asians Dress Modestly And Conservatively
When it comes to fashion and clothing in Asian cultures, modest and conservative styles are more acceptable. Skimpy, figure-hugging, translucent and transparent clothing tends to be frowned upon, or at the very least not the go-to look for quite a few Asians. Modest dressing is my kind of style pretty much every day. But that’s…
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Chinese Dining Etiquette And Table Manners
When it comes to eating in Chinese culture, there are dining etiquette rules to be mindful of. Chinese table manners hold a lot of importance and are symbolic of Chinese traditions. Adopting good dining etiquette can help one connect with Chinese family at home. It can also help leave good impressions with Chinese colleagues over…
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Your Dreams Vs. Unsupportive Asian Parents: Finding Your Way
We all have passions and dreams, which our parents might not always agree with. In a stereotypical Asian family, artistic and creative dreams tend to be frowned upon, and we might have second thoughts about chasing them. Writing is something I love. Seven year old me rushed home after school and wrote fictional adventure stories…
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Swearing And Cursing In Chinese And Cantonese: The Profanities We Say, And Why
Swearing in Chinese culture is always a colourful affair. Some vulgar, curse words in both Chinese language and Cantonese dialect get straight to the point, while others are more subtle and rather hilarious. When I was growing up, my parents threatened to slap my palm with a ruler if they heard me uttering a profanity…
Mabel Kwong 