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（不知原文是不是用中文写的）
Being Chinese
by
Chan-Lui Lee, Ph.D.
Honorary Life Member & Past President, AFS-Melbourne, Australia
Proud
to be born an Overseas Chinese。
Proud to be born a Chinese. Each and
every race has their own Pride and so long as they do not infringe into
others’ right, I don’t see any problem of them taking their own PRIDE,
wonder why some Malaysian politicians are so taboo about this?
Why do
Chinese people work so hard to succeed in life? Here is the plain
truth.
Why do Chinese people work so hard to succeed in life? Chinese
people do not go about bombing, terrorizing others and causing
religious hatred. We live peacefully with everyone on Earth.
Here is the plain truth about being Chinese.
#1.
There are over 1 billion of us on Earth. We are like photostat copies
of each other. You get rid of one, and five magically appear (like
ballot boxes). Yes, it is scary, especially for us. We acknowledge that
we are replaceable, thus we do not feel that we are particularly
'special'. [Chinese believe that] if you think you are smart, there are
thousands more people smarter than you. If you think you are strong,
there are thousands more people stronger than you.
#2.
We have been crawling all over the Earth for far more centuries than
most civilizations. Our DNA is designed for survival. We are like
cockroaches. Put us anywhere on Earth and we will make a colony and
thrive. We survive on anything around us and make the best of it. Some
keep migrating but others will stay and multiply.
#3.
NOBODY cares if we succeed as individuals or not. But our families take
pride in knowing we have succeeded. Yes, some will fail. We take
nothing for granted. We don't expect privileges to fall on our laps. No
one owes us anything.
#4.
We know we have nothing to lose if we try to succeed. Thus, we have no
fear trying. That is why Chinese are addicted to gambling. We thrive on
taking risks. All or nothing.
#5.
From young we are taught to count every cent. What we take for granted
like money management, I have found out recently, is not something other
cultures practice at home with their children. It surprised me. But
truth is not all societies or cultures teach their young this set of
skills because it is rude to them. Yes, most of us can count because we
are forced to and the logic of money is pounded into us from the
beginning of time (when mama tells us how much she has spent on our milk
and diapers).
#6.
We acknowledge life cycles. We accept that wealth in a family stays for
three generations (urban myth?). Thus, every 4th generation will have
to work from scratch. i.e. first generation earns the money from
scratch, second generation spends the money on education, third
generation gets spoiled and wastes all the inheritance. Then we are back
to square one. Some families hang on to their wealth a little longer
than most.
#7.
It is our culture to push our next generation to do better than the
last. Be smarter. Be stronger. Be faster. Be more righteous. Be more
pious. Be more innovative. Be more creative. Be richer. Be everything
that you can be in this lifetime.
#8.
Our society judges us by our achievements...and we have no choice but
to do something worthwhile because Chinese New Year comes around every
year and Chinese relatives have no qualms about asking you straight in
your face...How much are you making? When was your last promotion? How
big is your office? What car do you drive? Where do you stay? You have
boyfriend? You have girlfriend? When are you getting married? When are
you having children? When is the next child? When you getting a boy? Got
maid yet? Does your company send you overseas?... etc...etc... etc. It
never ends! So, we can't stop chasing the illusive train -- we are
damned to a materialistic society. If you are not Chinese, consider
yourself lucky!
#9.
We have been taught from young that if you have two hands, two feet,
two eyes, and a mouth, what are you doing with it? "People with no hands
can do better than you !"
#10.
Ironically, the Chinese also believe in giving back to save their
wretched materialistic souls. Balance is needed. The more their children
succeed in life, the more our parents will give back to society as
gratitude for the good fortune bestowed on their children. Yes, that is
true. And that is why our society progresses forward in all conditions.
Nobody pities us. We accept that.
No one owes us anything. We know that.
There are too many of us for charity to reach all of us. We acknowledge that.
But that does not stop us from making a better life. This lifetime.
Opportunity
is as we make of it. So, pardon us if we feel obliged to make a better
place for ourselves in any country we call home. It is in our DNA to
progress forward for a more comfortable life.
But if history were to be our teacher, look around the globe.
Most
countries have a Chinatown (seriously) but how many governments or
countries have been 'taken over' by the Chinese people? Don't be afraid
of us overwhelming your majority, we are not looking to conquer. If we
have moved away from China and Chinese governed countries, we are not
looking for another country to administer. Our representatives are only
there to look after our collective welfare. They are duty bound.
We
prefer to blend in and enjoy the fruits of our labor. We enjoy the
company of like-minded people of all races. After all, we are only
passing through a small period in the history of time... so, use our
skills and we can all progress forward together.
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