Cultural Differences
Added 2018-05-23 14:46:33 +0000 UTCHey Laowinners!
People often ask me about the cultural differences between my adopted home of China, and my home country of the USA. These are constantly highlighted in my videos, but what about in my relationship with my wife, Vivi?
Vivi and I tend to see eye to eye on most things. Unlike many Chinese person with western person relationships, I have spent enough time in my wife's country to understand China very well, where as she went to school in Macau and lived there for 7 years, speaking only English in University, and working at foreign companies. Therefore, we are not strangers to each others cultures. However, certain things do creep up from time to time.
I grew up in the countryside, so it was normal for me (in my mind) to take my daughter out in the backyard to help my mother plant her garden. Olivia loved it, and it was a very cute sight to see. Olivia loved the idea that her small seeds would turn into food someday, and almost treated them like babies, with her as their mother.
When Vivi came out to see what we were doing, she was very uncomfortable that her daughter was barefoot in the dirt, planting vegetables. She didn't understand that the dirt here, is not like the dirt and fetid runoff that courses through China's streets, full of disease and bacteria. I am sure she knows the difference deep down, but to her, children should not be getting dirty outdoors, and she makes sure that Olivia is both organized, and clean at all times.
In many ways, I am very thankful, as I was a messy kid, and didn't have a ton of discipline when it came to keeping my things in order. Olivia already has traits of being very on track, clean, and organized. I like this, but at the same time find it very funny that in my wife's mind, kids should be sheltered and spotless.
Should make for an interesting childhood.
Thanks so much for your support!
