As you may know, I was born and raised in the United States of America, and my parents are from the Philippines. Therefore, I am American and Filipino. My nationality is American and my ethnicity is Filipino...for whatever reason, some people don't really understand this.
Back in my homeland, people who don't really know me usually think I'm Chinese. Here in the Philippines, people think that I'm half Filipino and half Chinese or Korean. Some think that I'm half Filipino and half American. Others think that I'm not American because my parents are Filipino. I tend to "blend in" more in the Philippines than in the USA--that is until I start speaking the only language I'm fluent in: English.
When I'm abroad and people ask me where I'm from, I respond with something along the lines of I'm from America. Then I get a confused look from them, and understand that I need to clarify/add on that my parents are from the Philippines.
I went to the eye doctor (in America) a couple of days before Thanksgiving. I was sitting in a waiting room and was playing with my phone. A guy (probably around 60 years old) in the waiting room decided to flat-out spark a conversation with me:
Guy: So, do you have Chinese food for Thanksgiving?
[He seriously asked me this.]
Me: Uhmmm, no. I have the regular Thanksgiving food, and usually ham...I'm not Chinese? Sometimes we have Filipino food?
Guy: Oh, ok.
[I go back to playing with my phone.]
Guy: Where's your homeland?
[Seriously?...if I have an accent (and I do), it's most definitely an American one.]
Me: Uhhh, you mean me, personally?
Guy: Yeah.
Me: ...I was born in Detroit. Or do you mean where my family is from? They're from the Philippines.
Guy: Oh, ok. Have you ever visited your homeland?
[I cannot make this stuff up.]
Me: ...Yes, I've been to Detroit...I've been to my family's homeland, too.
Guy: Do you know where my homeland is?
Me: No, where?
Guy: Africa. I've never been there before though.
I've been asked "What are you?" many times in my life, which I'm totally fine answering...but I don't think I've ever had this blunt/ignorant of conversation.--It's a good thing that I'm a tolerant person haha.
Peace. Love. Happiness.
--TR
Good Morning! A moment in time on a beautiful Saturday Morning 5 July AD 2014. So good to have met you, Toni - and, in a brief time, learn of your travels, passions, hopes and dreams for the future! I had to go over in my mind the places you have visited - instead of around the world with Magellan - it's around the world with Toni! Whew! To hear your dynamic descriptions of your travel adventures - brought back fond memories for me - especially your being in the audience in Vatican City to see the Pope. You are so right in your writing of the great value in travelling! I will look forward to accessing your blog - and reading your descriptions of your philosophical feelings - and the descriptions of what you see and do. Trusting, of course, your elaborating on your description of the place you visited and the place I call home - "quaint"!
ReplyDeleteAkros! Best wishes to you and Louis!