What did you mean when you said you needed to “seem ambitious” to Taiwanese friends? Why is that a thing?
Ummm… Capitalism?! 🤷♀️
That’s it? You think it’s just Capitalism?
Mmm…? Maybe influenced by Americans?
Is it only Americans though?
Mmm… does Japan have this sort of mentality too?
Sort of…? I don’t know, I’m not Japanese 😅
Well… I think so…? In a lot of Capitalist societies? You can’t just be a bum?!?!
No… you can’t just be a bum… but the way you say it… like it’s not even to Aunties or acquaintances, you’re even hiding this part of yourself to the closest Taiwanese friends? I don’t fully understand…
Hmmm… … … (shrugs shoulders) it’s just our culture?!
Is it?!?
Well… … we always have to be striving for something… maybe… for a sense of… self-worth?
So, you not even wanting more responsibilities at work, you don’t have self-worth?
No. My pursuit of self-worth is now in the path of studying Cybersecurity. There’s plenty of self-worth there. To be simultaneously doing a retail job, and “being open to responsibilities” makes me — super strong — I can take on anything — it’s a very STRONG FACE. This woman is superwoman! She could even get married, pop out babies, juggle two jobs and get a PhD!!!
(Shaking his head) Why… would you want to present that persona to even the closest Taiwanese friends?
Because they talk to THEIR parents. And their parents talk amongst themselves to people who know my parents…
But what’s the point?!?!?
… … 😒 … … the point is probably… bragging rights….
Bragging rights?!
Yeah?! Don’t people in your culture brag amongst themselves?!
🤔 Not… exactly… like that…
So these are subtle differences.
Can you… break it down for me? Just a little bit more? I’m still confused…
…
…
…
Even though Taiwan theoretically appears to be a somewhat relatively egalitarian society… there remains, to some extent, a level of classism that does exist…
It’s subtle… similar to my experiences in Australia, it’s very subtle… but it still exists…
Striving for something, that ambition, that ability to achieve and do anything — it is a justification… in some respects, it earns respect…
You have to be “hard working” — or at least appear to be — to be “respected”… otherwise, you’re just a moocher. Just a leech in the system. That’s very much frowned upon… and not usually spoken about in those words, not even in Mandarin…
How is it usually spoken about?
I don’t know, subtle metaphors?
Hmm… so… no bumming…
No… that’s why you need to FIND A JOB if you lost absolutely everything and came to live with me and my parents. You’ll still have to go out and push trolleys or any other legitimate occupation to earn “clean money” — it’s also frowned upon to be in the Mafia or anything like that!!!
😅😅😅
Yeah… you still need to be hard-working. So you can always pick yourself up if you suddenly lost everything.
Maybe Taiwanese have a subconscious “bracing themselves for the worst” constantly — due to past colonisation, as well as current “threats” from mainland China… maybe…? 🤷♀️ That’s my interpretation of it…
So none of the stuff that we ever did even comes anywhere as close to being as “shameful” as being a bum? In Taiwanese society?
(Nodding) something like that, yeah… I guess? 🤷♀️
Lol… but you’re such a bum in reality, you’re so lazy! You always wanna be chillin!!! 🤣🤣🤣
(LOL) 🤣🤣🤣 That’s whyyyy I said “seem” — I have to at least “SEEM” AMBITIOUS!!!!!!!!
🤣🤣🤣
This really tickles you?
Yesssssss!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Okay love… enjoy more… contemplations for today… 😏💕
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH 💋🔥
Love you too 😘❤️
Virgo Sun Pisces Moon 