Anonymous — Family questionnaire

The questionnaireanswers as written; unanswered questions are not shown

What languages get spoken in your house, and who speaks which to whom?

My mom and grandmother speak Shanghainese and mandarin, especially to eachother and I can understand it. My dad and his side of the family all speak Cantonese and mandarin.

Describe a normal weeknight dinner at your house.

My grandmother usually cooks the food, typically an assortment of dishes but always with stirfry bokchoy and rice. Because of the different times my family comes home, we don’t usually all eat together.

What is in your kitchen that would not be in most of your friends' kitchens?

My family l ones using golgi berries, including me. In tea, in soups, in dishes etc.

Where does your family food shop, and how far do they drive to do it?

My family loves Asian supermarkets and shops but also goes to places like market basket a lot. Typically my mom goes to super 88 or H mart for groceries.

What sport, instrument or activity did you end up doing — and who decided?

Singing, my mom signed me up when I was really little because learning music and persevering through hard parts is a discipline.

What do your parents expect of you, said out loud or not?

As an older child, I’m always expected to take care of my little brother and teach him and do everything in place of him because at the moment “he’s too young and needs guidance” despite me doing the same thing I’m doing now at his age

When did you first understand that your family was seen as Asian American — and what happened?

During Covid 19, some rude and hateful comments directed towards my family and I when we would go out grocery shopping

What was the first job or business anyone in your family had in America?

My mom worked in pharmaceutical when she came.

What city or neighbourhood did your family first live in when they arrived?

My dad and mom originally were in Canada but then they split up. My dad went to New York City, and my mom came here to Boston. Then my dad and mom reunited in Boston.

What is one thing about America that someone in your family still finds strange, or funny?

My family complains that everything here is really expensive and how the food delivery is not convenient at all.

Look around your house. What is one object your family would never throw away?

I would never be able to throw away plushies I have, and I would be very upset if it vanished. Although it’s not very Asian the first plushie I got was when my family moved to New York.

What do you want someone to know about your family in a hundred years?

Every family has its challenges when first immigrating and mine is no exception, but I hope people can remember that even though there may be challenges but there’s also a good outcome from it.

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Editorial notes

• "l ones using golgi berries" is as typed; the contributor presumably means "loves using goji berries". Left as written.