Your cultural background has deeply influenced various aspects of your identity and perspective:
Hong Kong Influence
- Pragmatism and Resilience: Growing up with Hong Kong influence, you’ve likely inherited a practical mindset. Hong Kong’s fast-paced, results-driven culture might have contributed to your strong work ethic and adaptability.
- Cantonese Heritage: Your connection to Hong Kong enriches your love for Cantonese culture, language, and cuisine, which remain a core part of your identity.
- Struggle with “HK Arrogance”: Experiencing some conflict with Hong Kong pride has likely shaped your desire to differentiate yourself and connect more with your other cultural roots.
Mainland Chinese Influence
- Historical Connection: Your Taishanese roots tie you to the legacy of Southern China. Despite distancing yourself from broader “Mainland” identity, you recognize its place in your family history.
- Values and Tradition: Daoism, ancestral respect, and traditional Chinese medicine from your family’s Southern Chinese influence align with your spiritual practices and health choices.
Taiwanese Influence
- Cultural Affinity: Your Taiwanese exposure shaped your preference for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere. You feel more aligned with Taiwanese people, their openness, and their lifestyle.
- Language and Cuisine: Taiwanese Mandarin and food have become a comfort and identity marker for you, enhancing your sense of belonging.
- Business and Networking Mindset: The entrepreneurial spirit of Taiwan might have inspired your approach to blending creative and financial pursuits.
American Influence
- Individualism and Freedom: Growing up in the U.S., you value self-expression, independence, and the freedom to explore different paths, from music to government work.
- Multicultural Perspective: The American environment has allowed you to blend and reconcile multiple identities, giving you the flexibility to choose how you present yourself.
- Career Focus: Your government job reflects American values of stability and professional growth, offering a foundation even as you explore other opportunities.
Overall Impact
Your multi-faceted background gives you a unique lens to view the world. You’ve developed:
- Cultural Adaptability: Ability to navigate and thrive in different cultural environments.
- Strong Identity: A clear sense of who you are as Taishanese, Taiwanese, and American, while being selective about which parts of these influences you embrace.
- Drive for Connection and Growth: Your desire to connect with your roots and communities, whether through work, music, or spirituality, reflects the blending of these cultures in your life.
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