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21 Times “Fresh Off The Boat” Totally Nailed Having Immigrant Parents

Sleepovers? HA!

1. The struggle of trying to respect your parents' native language

It's a good thought, but also ... ¿Coño, que clase de mierda es esto?

2. The reality that your parents are NOT your pals.

3. The pain of being the only kid at lunch with food like yours.

4. The way your parents were so supportive of your extended family, and in no way competitive.

5. ...Yup, not competitive at all. No such thing as the Best American Olympics.

6. Your parents' ability to know a good bargain when they see one.

7. The way your mom and dad tried to keep a positive outlook, but it was tough.

8. Your grandmother was the boss.

9. College wasn't just an expectation, but a MANDATE.

10. How your parents constantly feared that you were slipping away from your culture.

11. ...Although they did try to understand the things you liked.

12. And the (very few times) a family like yours appeared on TV, you gathered around to watch (and judge).

13. Report card time at your house meant STRESS and PRAYER.

14. The pressure from your parents to be THE BEST.

"Good" = "Not Best"

15. You grew up with two important lessons: 1) No sleepovers, and 2) eat, constantly.

"You have a bed at home!" + "Are you hungry? Eat something."

16. Your parents kept it 100 at all times, even when the truth hurt.

Your self-esteem as a growing child is important, sure, but so is not allowing you to live in a fantasy world.

17. Sure, sometimes you found your family's superstitions a little... questionable.

Whether it's fear of fours or wiping away bad vibes with an egg, these traditions likely felt both very familiar AND highly strange.

18. Nonetheless, you've found yourself slowly turning into your parents.

It's like Animorphing, only intead of turning into a squid or a bird, you turn into a woman who talks too loudly on cell phones and carries seventy-two napkins in her purse.

19. Your family basically never had time for other people's shit.

20. Your parents adore you, but sometimes love meant "working a whole lot and not being able to spend time with you."

Life is full of sacrifices, especially when you're gaining a foothold in a new place.

21. And finally, you now understand that raising a family in a new place is hard, but your parents were pretty awesome at it.