This month, every Sunday was my rest day. For the first time this month, I went to a fancy mall, during the middle of the month.. Before, my team and I headed back to home, we had to visit grocery shop because where we are staying, there is NO American Grocery Store nearby.
I’m not a coffee person, but I did want to try the famous Central American Coffee so I stopped by coffee alley. I know NOTHING about coffee, so all I could do was stand in front of the alley. Luckily, a nice lady, who was checking coffee, came and asked me what kinds of coffee I wanted. She knew so much about coffee like which brand has nice price and quality. She taught me a lot.
During conversation, she asked me where I am from. My answer is fixed “I’m from Korea.” She seemed to be confused by my answer. She said “You have an American accent!” Soon, as conversation continued, she took back what she said, but I took the words “American accent” as a commendation. I have struggled with my English for eight months, I still do. Even for few minutes, a strange woman thought I spoke American English. It means my English is has improved!
By the way, my one and only Brit mate, Beth, has also struggled with it. As time goes by, her unique & special Brit accent is going away. Not only her but also other American mates’ accents sounds like they are getting mixed together.
Wherever I go abroad to places that are not in Asia, I’m always asked “Are you Chinese?” and people say to me“Ni hao.” which means “Hello” in Chinese. Some Asian people think I’m one of them like Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese.
Most of people identify others based on something outward appearance, skin/eyes/hair colour, accent, looking, and the way to talk or act.
Because of my Asian appearance, people assume I am Chinese; my dear team-mate, Banele, strongly rejected the fact – I’m not a Chinese. I’m Korean. – for more than half of the first month we were together. Because of confusion between my accent sounding American and my-Asian appearance, this lady got confused.
I want you to identify yourself based on who you really are. The actual you. I hope you not to find yourself from some changeable things, like appearance, favour, even how people think of you.
I know it’s really hard. But it is more than WORTH IT!
