Was my grandfather born in the U.S. or China?
Oct 20, 2010 1:32:05 GMT -5
Post by douglaslam on Oct 20, 2010 1:32:05 GMT -5
Thanks Laohuaqiao, and your username is spot on. For 老華僑 like yourself with extensive knowledge, perpetuate the memories of earlier generations of Chinese overseas. They were true sons (and daughters, too) of China, hard working, resilient, diligent, copped all the hostilities in the chin, and squarely shouldered their responsibility as providers.
I am fortunate to have met many old timers. I learned of what they had gone through or heard stories about the past from them. The old timers' struggle is the stuff of legend. For examples; there were no laundries in China, yet they flourished in North America. Then there were the chop suey houses.
One old timer used to tell me how some early pioneers, who had very poor English skills, used to carry two baskets on a shoulder pole, selling sewing needles, cotton threads and the like to sustain a meagre livelihood. Stories from older Australians: how they, as children, used to throw stones at the Chinaman with a pigtail who sold fruit and vegetables door to door. To me, this is inspiring stuff, and makes me proud to be a member of the same tribe.
Through the Forum, I learned so much, and many members have extended me their friendship. Geoff, for instance, though we have not met, yet, I have met his cousin one Harvey Young about twenty years ago in Glen Innes, a country town in NSW. Harvey Young came from one of the pioneering families in regional NSW. His family established the biggest import/export and retailing business in the town. The success of the Young family as well as many other regional general store owners, owed in no small part to their business ethics.
The store owners would answer the knock on the door, however unwillingly in the middle of night , to sell his customer just a box of matches. It was the Chinese storekeepers who would stand by the farmers in droughts and hard times, extended them credit to see them through. When the good times returned, the farmers didn't forget who their saviours were.
I salute and admire our 老華僑.
I am fortunate to have met many old timers. I learned of what they had gone through or heard stories about the past from them. The old timers' struggle is the stuff of legend. For examples; there were no laundries in China, yet they flourished in North America. Then there were the chop suey houses.
One old timer used to tell me how some early pioneers, who had very poor English skills, used to carry two baskets on a shoulder pole, selling sewing needles, cotton threads and the like to sustain a meagre livelihood. Stories from older Australians: how they, as children, used to throw stones at the Chinaman with a pigtail who sold fruit and vegetables door to door. To me, this is inspiring stuff, and makes me proud to be a member of the same tribe.
Through the Forum, I learned so much, and many members have extended me their friendship. Geoff, for instance, though we have not met, yet, I have met his cousin one Harvey Young about twenty years ago in Glen Innes, a country town in NSW. Harvey Young came from one of the pioneering families in regional NSW. His family established the biggest import/export and retailing business in the town. The success of the Young family as well as many other regional general store owners, owed in no small part to their business ethics.
The store owners would answer the knock on the door, however unwillingly in the middle of night , to sell his customer just a box of matches. It was the Chinese storekeepers who would stand by the farmers in droughts and hard times, extended them credit to see them through. When the good times returned, the farmers didn't forget who their saviours were.
I salute and admire our 老華僑.