All cultures have their own quirks, traditions, or common practices. As anyone who grew up in an Asian household can attest to, there’s a lot of “weird” things that we do, or as I like to call it, “innovative”. Many of these weird things are in effort to be resourceful, practical, or frugal passed down from our immigrant parents.
It is on us to educate our kids of these things so that they can be normalized rather than scrutinized. If you practice some of these weird things, teach your kids to be proud of them because they serve a useful purpose. In doing so, ensure that you do not portray any negative connotations with it because the last thing you want to do is make them feel embarrassed by it. If you don’t practice these things, educate yourself and your kids so that you can appreciate these practices rather than be judgmental.
Prepare your kids now so that they do not go into cultural shock when they visit their friend’s house and find out what the dishwasher is actually used for! And don’t let them feel like they’ve been shortchanged all their lives and report us for child labor because we do not pay them a fair wage on a weekly basis, aka an allowance.
Here are some of the amazing things that we do in an Asian household:
1. Dishwashers Aren’t for Washing Dishes
Did you know, dishwashers are actually used to wash dishes? Growing up, my parents believed the dishwasher is a wasteful appliance for lazy privileged people. It wastes water and electricity. Plus, it’s much cleaner doing it the good old fashion way – by hand (aka my hands) and it is an extra storage space for dishes. Therefore, I have never once in my life used a dishwasher. Even when I moved into an apartment with all utilities and water covered, I still could not bring myself to use it because quite frankly, I had no idea how to. All my life, whenever I talked about doing chores with non-Asian friends, they were always baffled as to why we would torture ourselves like that. On the other hand, I always thought anyone who uses a dishwasher is privileged and wealthy.
I am 33 now, and it isn’t until a few weeks ago that I finally decided to fact check my parents. Turns out, the vast majority of sources say it is actually more cost effective to use the dishwasher. My fellow Asian suckers, we’ve been lied to all our lives! Now go use that dishwasher and do not feel guilty about it. You’re welcome!
2. The Oven is Forbidden
The oven is on the same boat as the dishwasher. I was never allowed to use the oven because it consumes too much electricity to make food that is either too sweet or too dry for my parent’s liking. Therefore, it is also just another fancy storage for pots and pants. One of the biggest reasons why I never bake is because I need to unload the 500 pots and pans my parents managed to stuff in oven before I can even start using it!
3. We Dry Clothes on Clotheslines
Our parents grew up without laundry machines, so they are used to drying their clothes on a clothesline. This practice has carried over with them to the states. Along with the dishwasher and oven, the washing machine is another “wasteful” appliance. Thank goodness my parents actually use the washing machine. However, whenever possible, they would hang dry their clothes rather than run the dryer to save money. I think we can assume that any appliance that is not a dire necessity does not need to be used, just like the air conditioner!
4. There’s Always a Drawer or Bag Full of Plastic Bags
It is absurd that people would buy plastic bags just to put their garbage in when we receive plastic bags from grocery stores! So, hoard those bags you get at your local supermarket and use them to line your trashcans at home! Every Asian household will have a drawer or a box or another bag of bag collection. Now that many states are banning plastic bags in stores, Asians around the country are having a huge internal struggle on actually needing to purchase trash bags.
5. No Shoes in the House
This is a practice that makes complete sense. We step on so much c**p all day long when we leave the house. Why would anyone want to track that into the house and onto their bed, especially if you have young kids who will eat anything off the floor! Outside shoes should be left at the door.
6. A Cabinet Full of Takeout Containers
Similar to the drawer full of plastic bags, all Asian households have a cabinet full of plastic takeout containers. When we order takeout and receive food in any type of plastic container, as long as it’s in good condition, we wash them and use them over and over again. Saves money and saves the environment!
7. One Big Family
It is common for Asians to live with their parents even after they have kids, especially after they have kids (free childcare you can trust!). Traditionally, the eldest son and the family lives with the parents because he’s the one that carries the burden of the family name. This tradition has evolved over time and now, it may not always be the eldest son. However, it is very common to have a three-generation household.
It may be stigmatized today to “live with your parents”, but this is a common practice in Asia. If children move out, it usually isn’t until they get married. The American Dream may be this beautiful house with your immediate family and multiple cars. However, the Asian dream is to have a house full of people, especially grandkids.
Although this is less common now and most modern Asians live separate from their parents, it is still a normal practice.
8. Allowance? What Allowance?
Growing up, having an allowance was a foreign concept. It just does not happen. If you want something, you need to earn it. As much as I envied my friends who received money every week or month from their parents just to spend, I do not plan to give my own kids an allowance. As long as their basic needs are taken care of, they need to earn anything they want. This taught me to be smart with money and spend wisely.
9. Deceiving Containers
You know those butter cookie tins? 9 out of 10 of them do not have cookies in it. If you find one in an Asian household, I can confidently tell you, it’s a sewing kit inside.
10. Dinner/Meals
All cultures have their own unique practices when it comes to meals. In general, most Asian cultures share similarities. Here are a few to name the least:
- There’s ALWAYS rice. Steak for dinner? Rice please!
- We eat family style.
- There’s always soup.
- Everything is cooked on the wok.
- There’s always fruit after dinner. That’s our dessert.
A common theme for most of these is an effort to be frugal or practical. Teach your kids to appreciate the Asian culture or be proud of it. Most importantly, teach them not to judge those who are different than them.