“Identity crisis”

Posted by Cynthia on December 18th, 2007 | Categorized as General Forum | 376 views and 11 Comments

Besides the fact that TCKs rarely knows who they really are and where they are from, have anyone ever thought what it would be like if you weren’t physically who you are?

I think it’s normal human behavior to think how things would be different when you’re not who you are - when you’re someone else. But I wonder as a TCK if that’s any different from someone who is a non-TCK?

I’ve always been fascinated by the Western world. I’m into Western history - Greeks, Romans, the Vikings etc. My favorite period of history is the Medieval ages (no I’m not gothic or whatever they call people who are interested in that kinda stuff in the States LOL). I’m also into the Victorian era. I’m into anything but the Asian part of the world. Ironically, I don’t know much about the Asian history and I’m never interested in it. And I still am not.

With that said, when I’m traveling I tend to feel more “homely” when I see other non-Asian people. It’s as if they are MY people…like I belong to them, not the other Asian tourists LOL

And this got me thinking, has any non-Asian people find that seeing Asian people make them feel “homely” like they belong to them (I use “Asian” here because I am Asian but I can’t relate that well with them - unless you’re a rare Asian amongst a group of non-Asians)? I think I’ve only met this kind of person once. A Westerner actually feel like they can connect better with someone who is not of Western descendant.

I wonder if this is the result of us not belonging anywhere and the more different everything is the more we feel like at home. I don’t like to be the same…if you know what I mean…

Cynthia Yang

Born in Taiwan and grew up in Indonesia, Thailand and China. Went to the US for college and have been working between Shanghai and Connecticut ever since. Fluent in Mandarin and English and can understand basic conversation of Thai.