Comments on: Follow up http://american-family.org/2010/02/05/follow-up-6/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:57:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: L. http://american-family.org/2010/02/05/follow-up-6/comment-page-1/#comment-143533 L. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:17:07 +0000 http://american-family.org/?p=2634#comment-143533 Okay, let me add my own two cents, from my own special circumstances: I get this all the time, too, here in Tokyo, whenever I'm out with my (biological) kids and they say something appropriately polite/correct in Japanese. People act surprised, and then the white lady is complimented for her good mothering. The odd thing is, I usually hasten to disclaim it, and say they must have learned the Japanese from their father, because I only speak English to them, NEVER Japanese. I am all too eager to shove in their faces what I personally think a good mother does, which in my particular case is emphasizing her native tongue rather than letting the Japanese brain worm eat all of their English. I know my situation is different -- but the tribal recognition/approval part is similar. Okay, let me add my own two cents, from my own special circumstances: I get this all the time, too, here in Tokyo, whenever I’m out with my (biological) kids and they say something appropriately polite/correct in Japanese. People act surprised, and then the white lady is complimented for her good mothering.

The odd thing is, I usually hasten to disclaim it, and say they must have learned the Japanese from their father, because I only speak English to them, NEVER Japanese. I am all too eager to shove in their faces what I personally think a good mother does, which in my particular case is emphasizing her native tongue rather than letting the Japanese brain worm eat all of their English.

I know my situation is different — but the tribal recognition/approval part is similar.

]]> By: Denise http://american-family.org/2010/02/05/follow-up-6/comment-page-1/#comment-143378 Denise Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:26:33 +0000 http://american-family.org/?p=2634#comment-143378 We also experience the "checking in process" since my DH is Korean when we enter Korean businesses or other Asian owned businesses. Our youngest child was adopted from Korea so I am also happy that she and her big brother are claimed and acknowledged by the Korean owners/patrons too. I enjoy reading your blog because it is hard to find families in the same kind of situation as my own family's makeup. Thanks and keep on blogging. We also experience the “checking in process” since my DH is Korean when we enter Korean businesses or other Asian owned businesses. Our youngest child was adopted from Korea so I am also happy that she and her big brother are claimed and acknowledged by the Korean owners/patrons too.
I enjoy reading your blog because it is hard to find families in the same kind of situation as my own family’s makeup. Thanks and keep on blogging.

]]> By: Lee http://american-family.org/2010/02/05/follow-up-6/comment-page-1/#comment-143262 Lee Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:52:17 +0000 http://american-family.org/?p=2634#comment-143262 We had a similar exchange at Target today with the woman who worked at the check-out. Sadly, Ellie doesn't know much beyond hello, goodbye and thank you, but the woman was delighted to exchange even just a small conversation. I agree that while interactions with random strangers can bother me, it honestly never bothers me when Chinese adults attempt to interact with Ellie. We had a similar exchange at Target today with the woman who worked at the check-out. Sadly, Ellie doesn’t know much beyond hello, goodbye and thank you, but the woman was delighted to exchange even just a small conversation. I agree that while interactions with random strangers can bother me, it honestly never bothers me when Chinese adults attempt to interact with Ellie.

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