Dennis143 Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 (edited) deleted Edited August 20, 2005 by Dennis143 (see edit history) Link to comment
Randy W Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 (edited) deleted 148263[/snapback] Remember that there was a long period of time (from the 40's to the 80's) where immigration to China was not permitted. The original immigrants (19th and 20th centuries) tended to be from Guangdong province and speak Cantonese. They formed what most of us (and probably your SO as well) think of as Chinatown. The newer immigrants tend to be from the Beijing-Shanghai region and came over on student or work visas. The ones I know at work all have advanced degrees and do not live in Chinatown, and, in some cases, nowhere near other Chinese people. Not because they want to be away from other Chinese, but to live where they choose to live. If she doesn't speak Cantonese, she may not feel at home at all in Chinatown. I think it's a prejudice (against the early immigrants or Guangdong people in general) on her part, but there may be some truth behind it. Edited August 20, 2005 by Randy W (see edit history) Link to comment
tonado Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 No problem with South Pasadena. All the people there are upper-class and well-established. I think your SO is worry about living with newly arrived Chinese (like Chinatown) who try very hard for a better life. Sometimes, they live in poor neighborhood and they do anything to survive (like grow their own gardens). Link to comment
Dennis143 Posted August 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 (edited) Chinatown is in downtown Los Angeles. It is an area that was established many years ago. It has become a tourist attraction, much the same as Chinatown in San Francisco, etc. However, in the last 20 years there has been a huge influx of Asian immigrants who have set up residency in the San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles County. This area of Chinese, and different Asian, immigrants are in communities adjacent to South Pasadena. These are newly arrived Chinese immigrants and I sence that Jie's feelings are much deeper than just poor Chinese who grow their own gardens (there is no space to grow a garden in LA Chinatown). Most newly arrivals are upper class Chinese or families who pool their money to live in a home in this area. To afford a home in LA, you have to have money. The average home in the San Gabriel Valley can fetch close to $600,000 now (ugh!). Sorry, but your theories don't mesh.... Edited August 23, 2005 by Dennis143 (see edit history) Link to comment
tonado Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 (edited) Chinatown is in downtown Los Angeles. It is an area that was established many years ago. It has become a tourist attraction, much the same as Chinatown in San Francisco, etc. However, in the last 20 years there has been a huge influx of Asian immigrants who have set residency in the San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles County. This area of Chinese, and different Asian, immigrants are in communities adjacent to South Pasadena. These are newly arrived Chinese immigrants and I sence that Jie's adamant feelings are much deeper than just poor Chinese who grow their own gardens (there is no space to grow a garden in LA Chinatown). Most newly arrivals are upper class Chinese or families who pool their money to live in a home in this area. To afford a home in LA, you have to have money. The average home in the San Gabriel Valley can fetch close to $600,000 now (ugh!). Sorry, but your theories don't mesh....148281[/snapback]Maybe she worries about gossips between Chinese people. If people pool their earning to own a home, then the place would be crowded. She just wants peace and quiet in the neighborhood. I guess you got to move out of LA since Chinese is everywhere there. Is she anti-Chinese immigration? You got to ask her since your thread doesn't tell enough. Edited August 21, 2005 by ttlee_99 (see edit history) Link to comment
LeeFisher3 Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 Have you considered this might be a carryover from the things that have been said about some of the girls at 001? Link to comment
Randy W Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 (edited) Well, you know how vulgar those gardens in San Marino can look!! http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/lachen/laughing-smiley-011.gifhttp://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/lachen/laughing-smiley-011.gifhttp://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/lachen/laughing-smiley-011.gifhttp://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/lachen/laughing-smiley-011.gifhttp://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/lachen/laughing-smiley-011.gifhttp://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/lachen/laughing-smiley-011.gif Edited August 20, 2005 by Randy W (see edit history) Link to comment
Dennis143 Posted August 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 (edited) Well, you know how vulgar those gardens in San Marino can look!! http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/lachen/laughing-smiley-011.gifhttp://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/lachen/laughing-smiley-011.gifhttp://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/lachen/laughing-smiley-011.gifhttp://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/lachen/laughing-smiley-011.gifhttp://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/lachen/laughing-smiley-011.gifhttp://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/lachen/laughing-smiley-011.gif148319[/snapback]yes, Randy, I have to turn my head, everytime I pass those San Marino gardens. Especially, those Huntingtons! LOL Edited August 20, 2005 by Dennis143 (see edit history) Link to comment
david_dawei Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 (edited) I have heard chinese talk about other chinese in this way.. but frankly, I have also heard some americans talk of americans in this way. I think it depends a little on where you grew up and what cultural conditioning you were exposed to. Sounds to me that she saw or knows that side where 'anyone will do anything for a buck or to get ahead.. even if it means doing it to a friend'. And I recall the 'cold apartment as a safe refuge'... I think she sees you as her warmth and safe refuge, not the chinese people she is a part of. You are her security now. She sounds very sincere to me, and wants to have a life with you, in the comfort and quiet of your home.. and maybe wants some distance from that side of China she will be leaving. edit down per request. Dennis.. you quoted me, so you have to edit the quote box if you want something out of it... Edited August 20, 2005 by DavidZixuan (see edit history) Link to comment
Dennis143 Posted August 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 (edited) I believe that you have probably summed it up nicely for me David. Thanks Edited August 21, 2005 by Dennis143 (see edit history) Link to comment
Dennis143 Posted August 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 (edited) ....... Edited August 21, 2005 by Dennis143 (see edit history) Link to comment
david_dawei Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 I think it goes back to the survivalist and protectionist attitude that comes out of living in a culture of poverty and dog eat dog, which is created by the control of the government. If it were not for their philosophical base, one can only wonder what dispair levels they would also have. Money talks and one can see the 'corruption' in many areas in china.. although it seems so customary to them, to say, pay a police officier two packs of cigarettes in order to drop some fine. And what's most interesting is that they will drop the fine for so meager a 'gift'. Networking is way beyond just woman meets man; it is almost a requirement to get anything for many. I was fascinated how my SO got my visa extended through 'her network'... It's who you know and what they can do... There are more traffic laws broken every second in china than probably every day in the US... and the cop directing traffic in china is encouraging them to do it 'quicker'. So, there are many issues that some chinese hold relative, and i have seen this to include the law and even trust. I think that most of our SOs are able to distinguish what you have to do depends on where you are... and we're lucky that whatever 'corruption' they were exposed to, it was a pragmatic option at the time, which will not be needed in the US. Unfortunately, for many others, it is baggage they carry with them whereever they go... Link to comment
Yuanyang Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 From people I know here and there many Chinese tend to be 'regionalistic' similar to the way the US use to be with Yankees, Southerns, Westerners etc... Link to comment
Dennis143 Posted August 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 From people I know here and there many Chinese tend to be 'regionalistic' similar to the way the US use to be with Yankees, Southerns, Westerners etc...148492[/snapback]That is certainly true Bob. I was suprised to learn this from chatting with my many Chinese friends, most of whom are from the North. There definately seems to be a bit of a north/south thing going on. It will probably take me a few years with her to finally understand what her thinking is on this. And, I suppose that's part of the excitement of this process too. Thanks Link to comment
tonado Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 From people I know here and there many Chinese tend to be 'regionalistic' similar to the way the US use to be with Yankees, Southerns, Westerners etc...148492[/snapback]One of the problem is the difference in the speaking dialects. Link to comment
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