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Are you from China? I'm American, and doing this would be completely out of the norm for my culture.

by TbobbyZ 8y ago

rahimnathwani 8y ago
"...close to family..." "Are you from China?" Probably.
- TbobbyZ 8y ago
  My family is from Europe. I've never been there. Grown up in America my whole life. Is it possible to have family living in a country you are not from? Yes..
  - rahimnathwani 8y ago
    Replying to your pre-edit comment ("Growing up in America my whole life, it would be nuts to move there.'): I moved to China when I was 35. Before that I had always lived within 10km of where I was born (except for some years at university, which was 100km away). I am not ethnically Chinese. I had one acquaintance in Beijing. Whether or not my decision was 'nuts' is just a matter of perspective/mindset. "Is it possible to have family living in a country you are not from? Yes.." I didn't say it wasn't possible. But it's very very very rare for someone who is not Chinese to move to China to be near family. Why? Because 90% of foreigners who live in China don't know whether they'll be here 2 years from now. So it wouldn't make sense for their family members to move to China to be near them (except for a spouse/SO of course).
    - scruffyherder 8y ago
      Yes the typical English teacher is here on some "exotic dumplings tour", or just made a mistake thinking that anime is from here... But my family started going back and forth in the 1800's out here. The real shame is that of the land that is worth anything was sold for next to nothing long before my parents were born. I know I'm not typical, but really anyone can do it.
prawn 8y ago
Might be the reason you should just do it regardless.
scruffyherder 8y ago
My family floated around a bunch, so we really don't "belong" anywhere. I grew up a foreigner in my birth place.. actually I haven't been there in over 10 years as I don't have any ties to the place .. I speak the language, but don't have any real connection. I'm surprised about travel and adventure being out of the norm for Americans thought. If anything the tiny villages where everyone has the same last name is all too common in China.

Are you from China? I'm American, and doing this would be completely out of the norm for my culture.

rahimnathwani 8y ago

"...close to family..." "Are you from China?" Probably.

TbobbyZ 8y ago
My family is from Europe. I've never been there. Grown up in America my whole life. Is it possible to have family living in a country you are not from? Yes..
- rahimnathwani 8y ago
  Replying to your pre-edit comment ("Growing up in America my whole life, it would be nuts to move there.'): I moved to China when I was 35. Before that I had always lived within 10km of where I was born (except for some years at university, which was 100km away). I am not ethnically Chinese. I had one acquaintance in Beijing. Whether or not my decision was 'nuts' is just a matter of perspective/mindset. "Is it possible to have family living in a country you are not from? Yes.." I didn't say it wasn't possible. But it's very very very rare for someone who is not Chinese to move to China to be near family. Why? Because 90% of foreigners who live in China don't know whether they'll be here 2 years from now. So it wouldn't make sense for their family members to move to China to be near them (except for a spouse/SO of course).
  - scruffyherder 8y ago
    Yes the typical English teacher is here on some "exotic dumplings tour", or just made a mistake thinking that anime is from here... But my family started going back and forth in the 1800's out here. The real shame is that of the land that is worth anything was sold for next to nothing long before my parents were born. I know I'm not typical, but really anyone can do it.

prawn 8y ago

Might be the reason you should just do it regardless.

scruffyherder 8y ago

My family floated around a bunch, so we really don't "belong" anywhere. I grew up a foreigner in my birth place.. actually I haven't been there in over 10 years as I don't have any ties to the place .. I speak the language, but don't have any real connection. I'm surprised about travel and adventure being out of the norm for Americans thought. If anything the tiny villages where everyone has the same last name is all too common in China.