I know, I know, my Chinese is not that good....

I started a blog on a different website a few years ago, but then got busy and then lazy, etc. Anyway, now I'm back hopefully with a more dedicated work ethic. :S

What I want to write about is life in a foreign country from the perspective of foreigner, but unlike the conventional “fish out of water” stories, my perspective is one of a guy whose family background is rooted in this foreign country, basically it’s from the perspective of an American-born Chinese (or, as we’re cleverly called, ABCs).

While you might doubt that the experiences of an ABC is not that much different from any other foreigner here in Taiwan, I’m here to say that there are some differences that are both frustrating and interesting. For example, (one from the frustrating side) when I, as an AMERICAN-born Chinese, speak Chinese and, admittedly, speak it badly, I immediately get ridiculed by (mostly by people that know me; strangers, for the most part, aren’t that mean). I mean, without fail, someone will go “man, your Chinese is terrible.” Ok, I know I like the part. I look Chinese, but I was born and raised in the US. And while there are plenty of ABCs that speak perfect Chinese, there are those like me that can’t speak it at all. Like, people, figure it out and get over it!!! But when a white foreigner speaks Chinese just as badly as me, he’ll get an over-enthusiastic praise like he split the atom or something. I know that the over-praise is born out of appreciation that a high and mighty foreigner took the time to learn and speak Chinese, but, come on, how about a little love for me? I know I’m an ABC and my Chinese should have been decent to begin with, but the fact is it isn’t. So, again, how about a little love and encouragement my way? Last time I checked, telling someone they suck at something every time they did it isn’t exactly the greatest motivation tool.

As I mentioned before, I started a blog on another site, so in the next few days or so, I’ll post up some of my old entries.