ABC? Nope MBC...

Being a Malaysia and growing up in a multi-ethnics country is a privilege. A Chinese descent, I would always tell people that I am Chinese Malaysian. I am proud of my heritage as a Malaysian. I learned to speak in three languages fluently, amidst Malaysian ‘slang’ and also few other dialects.

            However, while growing up in Malaysia, I have also been labeled as  ‘ABC’ (American born Chinese: not sure why, when MBC might be more appropriate since I am born in Malaysia!), banana (being yellow on the outside and white inside), OCBC (Orang Cina bukan Cina; translated as A Chinese who is not Chinese) and what’s not! I have learned to take all that in my stride but sometimes I don’t feel comfortable when people, CHINESE, gave me a ‘kind’ of look when I said I don’t read and write Chinese! They always said how you could forget your root! *You know who you are!

            Since moving to the States in July 2010, I am comfortable here because everyone speaks what I understand. United State being culture melting pot of many nations and peoples, English is the common uniting language. Being a Malaysian who speaks three languages and few more dialects, people are always amazed with our abilities to speak more than one language. However, I faced one stereotype here, since I speak English differently from how a Chinese (from countries whose native language is Mandarin) speaks, people (read Chinese) thinks that I don't speak or understand Mandarin at all!

          I can't count number of times people are surprise when I spoke in Mandarin and they will stop what they are doing and look at me strangely and amazed! Many times, I have used that to my advantage. Once, I uttered something in Mandarin to distract my opponents in badminton to distract them from the game and won that crucial point! Many times too I have keep quite and just observed the conversation they are having!

           Here is one situation during the course of my work. I wanted to collect some East Asian DNA and I asked from some people I work with in the department. After explaining what I am doing and what I am going to do, here is the conversation that took place.

Me: So, would you help me by spitting some saliva in this kit? It's painless took about 5 minutes!

Chinese 1 (turned to her another friend and started to speak in Mandarin):  I don't want give him this sample. Not sure what he is going to do.

Chinese 2 (relying in Mandarin): Yah, me too.

Chinese 1 (turning back to me and replying in English): Let me think of this and will give you the samples later!

Me: Ok (and at the same time in my mind thinking, no you don't! Don't you think I don't understand?)

            I felt like answering them in Mandarin and look at the smirk in their faces, surprised that I can understand all their conversation all these while! However the sense in me hold that back and just smile and said thank you!

That is not just the first time I participate in 'silent' conversation and smiling in my heart!