Forget me ... not?

I am assuming that every one who lives in America wants to be called American. If they do not, I prefer they return to the country that they DO want to associated with. Totally off topic, but if Suncatch is done here, I figure hijack away!

 

I agree to an extent. But some immigrants don't care to be called American. They're just making use of your resources. They're likely also contributing wonderfully to your economy. That's about it. It's lovely though! But it doesn't necessarily mean they will turn "american". If anything some from the east disagree with acclimating too much here. I myself am not so sure what's so great about "america" except the job opportunity perhaps but if you're working from the ground up, even that is difficult, the freedom of thought and expression in -SOME- areas also is great. Not to mention the education system is a lot wider and broader with universities that are recognized internationally so that degrees or internships are also recognized in turn. However, I sure don't believe (nor will I ever believe) in the "melting pot" strategy when it comes to immigrants, culture and identity. Landscape-wise, and in terms of visiting cities and traveling and learning *about* the culture rather than really living in it terms of values, beliefs is interesting to me.

 

I have been in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore..and been with many Asians also in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland...actually if i could live there for ever i would have Done it.

The most i liked was Thailand (Very Human), and Singapore (Very pretty but little small)...really cool..my dream is to live there...trying to get a good job there...the problem is..they are too clever with work there...can not fool them. hahahaha

People there have a real respect to each other & to others, they want to live in Peace & Harmony...

I was once in a party alone (new Chinese year..guess), the only foreigner among thousands in one big hall in Thailand...believe me...they made me feel like a family ..even more than being in my own family or in my own country...Guess they have strong sense of one's real feelings..or developed certain technique of knowing what is really is you feeling about them...Do not forget..that Asia is
the continent that witnessed most of the prominent religious people...start of religions..Prophets..messengers...etc..Some how as if it is the land of new born religions / Good Spirit. A land f Believe really. Judism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hindi...All started there. Amazing.

Of the so many times been there, had some kind of heart break...and the change of sights, meeting different people..etc.. made it much better...The Advice of "Cutted" is correct, and the feeling of ".Hannah." is very correct too.

Still proud to say the Buddah was an Aries like me, just 3 days after my precious birth day & month...Imagin him with all that Ego of the Aries person calling that Ego is our wost Enemy...True...very True..

 

I am agnostic. I do not believe in religions. It frankly means nothing to me but a bit of trivia that commendable men may have once wandered around thinking they were holy.

Peace and harmony in Singapore? Are you kidding me? That's what the government wants you to believe. Have you ever lived with the people?

 

Seems to me that Hannah does not like
Americans or men in general. Many Asians living in North America make conscious efforts to assimilate into the culture in which they live. Obviously Hannah has no interest in doing this, even though she is both Caucasian and Asian, often a beautiful mixture.

 

No, no living...just short visits & Friendships..

 

I guess she prefers to say the truth she feels, and not worried about that..Fankly speaking...melting into a new country is a kind of myth..well, co-existing without offending the host that's fine..but being an American ! this could happen in the 3rd or 4Th. generation. After all the one who comes later sees things clearer.

 

I agree with the above for the most part as well. I wish we could weed out those that are only in America for the money opportunities. I have no problem with those that what to be Americans. Those that don't want to be Americans don't seem to serve any necesary purpose.

 

My wife is 2nd generation and she could not be any more American, though I won't make any generalizations based on 1 person.

 

Actually I just dislike American men who think they know everything there is to know about immigrants or Asians just because they happen to date one or have spot-travelled a bit around the globe. I know you have a lot of experience and have gotten to know quite a few. By the way, that's wonderful that you help people over from China or have an Asian girlfriend. All I'm saying is that there's a bit more to the story, and if I sound trite, it's probably because this is something I live with every single day as an immigrant, or as a mixed person. And it's greatly annoying actually seeing people who ASSUME I want to be like them just because I'm in their country. You flatter yourself. Whether I want to be "American" or not has nothing to do with being mixed or being a "beautiful mixture". Honestly.. wtf? Or did you mean something else?

Nevertheless, I agree that quite a few Asians in North America DO want to be American or at least give a life here and the culture a shot. Not all, but quite a few. Who wants to stick out like a sore thumb and get shot down for not doing what the Romans do? Be attacked by white racists or their own white-washed assimilated kind, or be called all sorts of names, and have their properties vandalized? Infact, believe it or not, immigrants have to deal with their white-washed counterparts in their new home, and also their seriously-asian counterparts (friends or relatives back home) on the other side of the globe. It's a little confusing that way. At the same time, 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc generation immigrants (whose ancestors made the move, not them) may have never even seen Asia at all, and have nothing to do with that side of the world. They too might be so sick of people assuming they speak "ching chong ming fong" when they don't understand a lick of it nor care to. I think you were talking about immigrants who *do* just make the move. We usually call them 0.5 or 1st generation. I think 0.5 is more accurate as funny as it sounds, since they have not lived in the new country for a full generation yet, only about half or a fraction of their lifetime. In the midst of all this, of course North America isn't ALL overwhelmingly Caucasian. There are some very multi-ethnic cities and states, or at least places where immigrants have totally taken over in more ways than one and for the most part, people there are tolerant of immigrants even if they have no idea what they're about or why the heck they're there.

I think your comment on a beautiful mixture is also shallow and stereotypical albeit in the form of a compliment (really no offense). Thank you, by the way. However if you spoke to mixed people you would know that many of them are tired of this stereotype and are quite annoyed with the silly commotion about mixed people or their dual/multi-ethnic background. I have had interracial couples come up to me and ask me what my parents backgrounds are, and I KNOW that they are wondering if their children will look like myself or my siblings or cousins. It is no big deal, but it's also unnerving and a bit ridiculous at the end of the day. It's also quite creepy. Why don't you (general public) just go to one of those photo-merging booths and knock your hearts out.

 

I'm assuming you're not including me in your "we". If you are, I'm sorry as you've completely misunderstood me.

This too strikes me as quite odd, manipulative and creepy. We have a right to reject "American" culture/media (tv/fashion/celebrities/christian holidays), or be selective about who we want to be. Does it unnerve you that we're among you and have no desire whatsoever to be like you?

Please don't get me wrong about Americans. I think they have very redeeming qualities also, and their country is geographically magnificent. There are also some things here that I cannot find anywhere else, especially in Canada. There's something so wonderful about the general attitude of the people. This too is a stereotype and dependant on where I am. However there are some things,.. actually many other things, I can really do without.

Anyway, thanks for the discussion, guys. Sorry I was a bit late getting back to it.

 

Oops. I was doing what many US residents do. I was considering US citizens to be American, and Canadian citizen's to be Canadian. South American's citizen's to be South American, etc. Totally wrong geographically, though it does speak to how some of us feel here.

I need to re-phrase. Let me change this:

I wish we could weed out those that are only in America for the money opportunities. I have no problem with those that what to be Americans. Those that don't want to be Americans don't seem to serve any necessary purpose.

to this...

I wish the US citizens living here because we want to be US citizens and call this country our 1 true home, and not just for a temporary monetary gain and then off again to our original home country could weed out those that are only in America for the money opportunities. I have no problem with those that what to be US citizens. Those that don't want this country to be their one and only country, don't seem to serve any necessary purpose.

That being said let me respond to your comments. Now I am going to have to assume a few things, so let me know if I get a little off base.

As a US citizen you totally have the right to reject US culture/media (tv/fashion/celebrities/christian holidays), and be selective about who you want to be. I for one, hate the news here for it's propaganda and not really news, "news stories". I also think the majority of TV sucks. In short status quo can suck my left....well you get the idea.

What DOES unnerve me is that there are people in the US that don't like the country and will be leaving as soon as they have used us for what we are worth (money). If these people have no desire to be like US citizens then they should be weeded and / or sent home. If they truly consider this there home then give them their papers and make them legal. At the same time and to further complicate things I think it's time to shut down the border entirely. We have a nice mix of people and cultures in the US and I think we should stick with what we have.

"However there are some things,.. actually many other things, I can really do without." - this is true in every country for every person, especially US citizens.

I don't know where you live. Do you live in the US, but used to live in Canada?

 

Then I was right. I don't agree with you at all. I think of it as all fair game. Immigrants who want to come here to make use of the system can and should. If you shut down the borders, try to keep yourselves intact from the outside world, how on earth are you going to stay competitive? Are you an immigrant too? How can you say this for the thousands of others who feel how YOU once felt, wanting to come here for a "new life"?

Let me provide more background. In the interior of where I live, people are fat and lazy. ..Namely caucasians. When I go through the elementary school system (I have young cousins) and I help out some of the days at their school when I have time or when I pick them up, the teachers have their unions (which are not altogether a bad thing,mind you) and they literally sit on their lardy arses and they do not teach the students a THING. What they teach in the classrooms in Grade 5, I remember learning in Grade 1 or 2 in Asia. And students are struggling here!

Now, why should a (typical) Asian kid not be allowed the resources and opportunity to study in this kind of American system? Who are they to profess they are "multi cultural" and then shut down the borders? It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard and not only that, it certainly will destroy your economy and trade. Do you know how many immigrants there are in the US right now? Many have family and close friends who want to come over too. Are you so priviledged that all your family is here already (as an immigrant yourself)? You would also destroy your tourism. Who would want to visit an extremist country like this, only to feel excluded at the thought of immigration?

It is proud and arrogant, deceiving and completely deceived. And quite retarded on many levels, mate.

Those who do not want to be "american" and are just using your resources "weeded out"? That's downright creepy, along with what I said above^ with the reasons stated above. Infact, those who USE your system in North America are screwing you over because they're smarter, faster, willing to make more sacrifices (such as separating from their families) and doing a damn good job of it. Without us, you would be beyond fat and lazy. Perhaps complacent, indifferent, sheltered and bubbled in your own apparent stagnant "multi cultural" world/nation. In other words, dumbed down hundred fold. The funny thing is you're so arrogant you don't recognize that you need us too, as much as we need you and your country.

Why act like such a Gringe? Or a selfish person? What are you so afraid of? I'm not attacking Americans at all, as I said in my earlier post. And even if I am, so be it. Just as I'm willing to hear about the ridiculous policies or laws in Asia. (there certainly are many but each country has their own political agenda). So what's YOUR agenda if you were to close down the borders?

Use the resources, enjoy the land and the people. Sorry to bust your lovely I-Want-to-be-American bubble, but there are many of immigrants who remember where they have come from and the hardship they have endured to give themselves and their loved ones a "better" place to live. You make it sound like not wanting to be an american is an evil thing and they should be banished. For goodness sake. Time to stick a pin to the ego.

 

Hannah - My girlfriend is a 0.5 - born and lived in Taiwan (of mainland parents) until she was 21, here ever since. Her kids (100% Chinese) speak little Chinese and have fully assimilated.

I personally believe that mixed race people (of any mixture) are usually very beautiful - they often capture the best physical qualities of both (or all) of their races. Tiger Woods calls himself "Caublinasian", because he is a mixture of Caucasian, black, American Indian and Asian (Chinese Thai) parents. He is a striking looking guy, in addition to being a great athlete. And he has a Swedish wife!

I also personally believe that if you are going to live in a country and take advantage of what it has to offer, you should make an effort to adopt some of its culture. This does not mean that you should abandon your background, but only that you should honor the culture of the country which you adopted. Otherwise you are just using it for your own gain.

 

I do personally agree about honouring the culture of the adopted country to an extent. I think adopting some of its culture is more of a survival tactic than an actual desire (for me). I can't speak for other Asians though I have seen the same thing occur.

 

I am preparing a reply...see you tonight hannah...btw...what country do you live in?

 

Immigrants who want to come here legally and call this country their home are more than welcome to use the system, in my mind.

Yes, I am a 4th or 5th generation immigrant. The difference is that my family came here to stay. They wanted to be a part of this country and not just use the system and be on their merry way.

If they want to be a US citizen and live here for the rest of their lives then cool. I am all for it. Now if they just want to use us for what we can offer and roll out then I have no sympathy for them.

The education system in the US pretty much sucks. I do NOT blame it on lazy Americans though. As a matter of fact, I see no correlation between education curriculum and lazy Americans. I see our crappy education system and our fat lazy Americans as two separate issues.

All kids are welcome in our schools.

Seems we consider shutting down the borders as two different things. To me it means no longer allowing illegal immigrants. Contrary to popular belief our economy would not be destroyed by stopping any further illegal immigration. We have 10 million illegals here now. That's more than enough to handle the economic concerns.

Around 10 million illegals, currently. Pretty much all of the rest of are legal immigrants. Those that are here legally can bring their families here via proper INS paperwork, interviews, etc. I am so privileged that my entire family is here, yes. If they were not we would bring them on over legally. Not allowing illegal immigration would not affect our tourism in the slightest. I personally could care less about the immigration policies of the countries that I visit. After all, I am only visiting.

"In fact, those who USE your system in North America are screwing you over..."



Thank you for restating my point. This is exactly what I meant. I fail to see how you have decreased Americans fatness or laziness. We DO NOT need any more illegal immigrants. That's a bunch of crap. We will adapt, we will overcome. I propose that we might become LESS lazy without more illegals coming here.

No agenda in closing down the borders. Just don't have a need for more illegals (again, contrary to popular belief).

Thanks for admitting this is a better place to live. Living in the US and not wanting to be an American is an evil thing. They should be banished. If you don't want to be an American then don't. Go home! Obviously this is not your home (not directed at you in particular, but those who don't want to be an American yet use or country for their own benefit).

 

Where on earth did we start talking about illegal immigrants? You did not indicate so in your earlier posts. I don't agree with illegal immigration, or much that is illegal but neither am I able to judge them or their lives, personally.

I still believe that people should be able to immigrate, and have fluidity in their opportunities and darn well make use of any country they can. Life is far too difficult and painful to banish people this way. I still stick to the free for all, and thoroughly encourage immigrants to take advantage of any system they can. They paid their dues, have usually gone through hell and fire to change their lives so drastically. They definitely deserve the opportunity if they have a will to overcome such hardships AND still keep their integrity or beliefs intact.

Do you remember anything about your home country? If you did, would it be a bad thing for you? Is it like betraying beloved America? Many people aren't 4th or 5th generation and we certainly have extremely poignant memories of a life back then. There are others who want to forget and start a "new life" but it's still ridiculously extremist to maintain that everyone should want to be American. What a joke.

Actually, if illegal immigrants can overcome the system, so be it. I would help them if I could.

We can agree to disagree. Cheers and a lovely (American) New Years to you. Mine's not for another month.

 

We began talking about talking about illegal immigrants when I metioned closing the borders above. You questioned my intentions and I explained that I was reffering to illegals.

By home country you are referring to the country of my ancestors of course. That's part of the difference in perspective. The US is my home country now. If you ask my father what nationality he is he will tell you American. I know he is Irish but that's not his point. He is American and this is now his home country.



It is NOT ridiculously extremist maintain that everyone who chooses to immigrate here should want to be American. If you do not want to be an American then you are not welcome here (by me anyway). I welcome ALL people who want to be American's (legally) and shun all those that don't. Why would we want people here who dislike the country and have no interest in being American's? That's craziness!

Thanks for this last comment. I'm glad we can agree to disagree.

 

I stopped replying because I lost my Internet connection when I moved. But you guys got a little ridiculous anyway.

Okay, for one: Cutted, what planet are you from? Honestly. Telling me to date Chinese guys to break my rut?!
By the way, the second guy I mentioned was half Cherokee. He was very pale and had an Irish name, but did not consider himself white.
It's not a matter of culture -- I don't think in terms of cultures, so there is no particular "culture" I'm infatuated with or not. It's all based on individuals for me, so I think I could find a nice guy of ANY size, shape, or type.
And what the FUCK does my HEIGHT have to do with it?! I'm very comfortable with men of any size, including and especially taller ones.

hannah -- you don't offend me.
I'm techincally not white either -- I'm Cajun and Greek, with a touch of Pennsylvania German thrown in. I don't really care, though, and since I am Caucasian as opposed to Asian or African, I don't mind being called a white chick.
I think you are the one being offended here.

And please. PLEASE. Stop with the college shit. Okay? I might go back or I might not. I'm happy either way. If I don't go back, it won't be because I'm giving up, it will be because I'm either out of money (literally, too poor for government financial aid!) or because I've found something I like much better!
There are two things I like to do in life: ride horses and care for horses. If I could do that for the rest of my life, I'd be very very happy.

As far as me rejecting the second man -- it's not because I didn't like him, or whatever. It's because (I've figured out) I was afraid to get pregnant. He's uber fertile and apparently so am I ... we couldn't find a rubber that would fit him, so (being drunk) we were going to go without. But the thought of pregnancy scared me out of my mind. It's WAY much enough to kill the mood