Every culture has their own perceptions of beauty. While there are similarities, Asian and Western cultures often have very different beauty standards.
Certain looks are often favoured in Asian cultures. In Western cultures and for many Caucasians, the ‘ideal look’ can be very different.
Having lived in both Asia and Australia, I’ve noticed different people and cultures measure beauty differently. What is attractive and beautiful to someone may not be to someone of another background.
Writing a book takes a lot of time and effort. You don’t write a book overnight, let alone publish one and become an author in a day.
Whether you are writing a novel, self-help guide, travelogue or memoir, it can take months, years or even a lifetime to write a book. Depending on the nature of the narrative, some books take longer than others to write.
As a writer or author, you might feel frustrated, annoyed and discouraged at how long it’s taking you to write and get a book out there.
There are times when you’ll encounter people who are up for a chat and will talk away. But you don’t want to talk and want to avoid them.
You might wonder: how do you stop talking to someone without being rude? How do you end a conversation politely, especially if the other person won’t stop talking?
Sometimes you’re in the middle of something and talking isn’t ideal. Perhaps you’re avoiding the person talking to you altogether. Or you’re not in the mood for talking and it’s just bad timing.
Giving gifts on birthdays is a universal custom all around the world. It’s such a normal part of birthdays and birthday celebrations today.
Why do people give birthday gifts? How is the act of giving presents important on birthdays?
Birthdays symbolise the anniversary you came to this world. They mark the significance of your existence, contributions and unique personality – and perhaps what others have sacrificed for you, which you may not always agree with.
The recent rise in Asian hate crimes is alarming. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, many Asian communities are facing a lot more racist attacks and discrimination, fearing for their safety.
Asian-American health workers have been spat on and accused of spreading the ‘Chinese virus’ in the US. Six Asian women were killed in the Atlanta spa shootings this year. In New York, an elderly Asian woman was kicked on the streets as bystanders watched on.
Such harassment has also been felt here in Australia. 8 out of 10 Asian Australians reported facing discrimination during the pandemic. Chinese Australians experienced verbal and physical assaults going about their day.
You probably have been asked the question, ‘How are you?’ a fair bit in life. On some occasions you may have wondered how to answer it.
It’s a classic, common question you hear when meeting someone for the first time. It’s a question someone uses to introduce themselves to you and start a conversation. It’s a question where your friends ask when you’re catching up.
There are different variations to ‘How are you?’. For instance people also say, ‘How are you doing?’, ‘What’s going on?’ and ‘What’s up?’ and mean the same thing.
Mabel Kwong 