Living as a member of the Filipino-Chinese community has its perks, one of my favorites is the amazing Filipino-Chinese fusion of dishes Iโve come to love. Best of all, the little red envelopes (am-pao) with money are always a big hit for me!
But of course, with everything in life, there are crazy sides to things. Being Filipino-Chinese, one of the funniest hurdles I had growing up, was having friends (or girlfriends) who have overprotective Chinese parents. Iโm choosing to just laugh at those childhood experiences and label them as that stemming from a parentโs concern. Here are the top signs that you or one of your friends has overprotective Chinese parents.
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Signs you have Overprotective Chinese Parents
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You are expected to get straight Aโs in school.
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You were expected to grow up and be a doctor or engineer.
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They tend to nag a lot, and somehow link everything back to your schooling and career
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They are ALWAYS trying to get a discount
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You have a curfewโฆ. even if youโre already 30-years-old
Overprotective Chinese Parents – โWhat time will you be home with my kid?โ
Me – โSir, Iโm not sureโฆโ
Overprotective Chinese Parents – โI want you to be home by midnight!โ
Me – โUmmmโฆ.. you know weโre 30-years-old right?โ
Overprotective Chinese Parents – โIt does not matter! It is dangerous out there!โ
Me – โAnd you know your kid is a boyโฆ. well, a man?โ
Overprotective Chinese Parents – โOK, be home by 1amโ
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You are only allowed to date other pure Chinese people
My grandma: โIโm so happy youโre dating a Chinese girlโ
Me: โActually, sheโs Japaneseโฆโ
My grandma: โโฆ.โ
Me: โ.โฆโ
My Grandma: โIโm old, forgetful and my eyes are weak, letโs just say sheโs Chinese so I can die happyโ
Me: โโฆ.โ
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They give you a million dating restrictions then they complain that youโre not married yet.
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The first thing they ask your friends is โDo you speak Chinese?โ Then immediately give you a look of disappointment and disgust after you tell them that you canโt
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At one point in your childhood, you had a really really bad bowl shaped haircut, whether you were a boy or a girl!
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You had a good luck fish
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Your parents were always trying to give you deep quotes and sayings to guide your life
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You have a million relatives and you are expected to remember all their names
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Your aunts, uncles, siblings and family members, each with a different proper Chinese title which will again be different depending on what part of the family you are from.
โDid you greet your gua-ma and your si-hiya? How about your popo and your di-chi? Also say hi to your koko and kaw-fu and a-pe and a-ko. Oh and say hi to Uncle Jimmy too.โ
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You have to call everyone else older than you, your uncle our auntie, whether or not they are actually related to you.
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You always have to wear red on birthdays
Happy birthday Yaoโฆ
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Finally: Your overprotective Chinese parents gave you everything they could through their hard work and perseverance. They been around the block and know the dangers of the world and do their best to protect you. They know their work will never be done until they see you settled and safe. Their clothes are 20 years old, but they sent you to college and spend all their money on you. They may be too stoic to say, โI love you,โ but you know they do, and you wouldnโt change anything! Thanks, Mom and Dad!
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