Tag: culture

  • Hi, I’m Asian. I’m Paying In Full And By Cash

    Hi, I’m Asian. I’m Paying In Full And By Cash

    I always pay for my purchases upfront. When I shop for my groceries and chocolates, I pay for them in full. When I buy something slightly more extravagant such as a bag, chair or laptop, I also pay in full. Upfront. I thought everyone paid in full for what they bought – with the exception…

  • Why Some Of Us Wear Shoes At Home

    Why Some Of Us Wear Shoes At Home

    Recently, I fleshed out a few reasons why many Asians tend to leave their shoes at the door and go barefoot at home. In reality, some of us don’t share this love of taking our shoes off before going indoors. Some of us especially in the Western world don’t recoil in horror at the thought…

  • Why Do Asians Look So Young Sometimes? Or Most Of The Time?

    Why Do Asians Look So Young Sometimes? Or Most Of The Time?

    It’s no secret many people of Asian ethnicity look younger beyond their years. As I’ve written, sometimes this can be a blessing, and sometimes this can be an unwanted trait. I’m sure many of us have wondered at some point, why, why on earth do Asians look so young? How do they do it? Interestingly…

  • What Exactly Is “Ethnic”? Is The Word “Ethnic” Relevant Anymore Today?

    What Exactly Is “Ethnic”? Is The Word “Ethnic” Relevant Anymore Today?

    Do I see myself as “ethnic”? Someone of “ethnic background”? I’m a Chinese person living in Australia, so I should, shouldn’t I? Depending on where you are in the world, the definition of “ethnic” seems to vary slightly. The dictionary definition of “ethnic” actually forms a firm basis to think about this word. This concept.…

  • Hi, I’m Asian. Come In, Leave Your Shoes On. Or Not

    Hi, I’m Asian. Come In, Leave Your Shoes On. Or Not

    When I lived at home and an odd job or two needed to be done around our place, my mum welcomed the likes of contractors, plumbers and furniture delivery men into our Melbourne flat. When she opened the door, these Caucasian handymen and tradesmen always politely asking, “Do we take our shoes off?” And to…

  • Why Males Are The Favoured Sex In Asian Cultures

    Why Males Are The Favoured Sex In Asian Cultures

    “Your Arts degree is useless. You studied the wrong degree, made a very wrong decision there. You finished your degree, and you still can’t find a job. Should’ve studied something like commerce or dentistry. Like your brother. Maybe he can get you a job.” That’s what my mum says to me all the time. It’s…