My Dad Calls 911 If I Don't Call Him Back: Jimmy O. Yang

Summary

The speaker humorously reflects on the different ways love is expressed in his family, comparing his father's frequent calls to his friend's lack of communication with his dad. He also touches on the challenges of being perceived as Asian rather than American, despite living in the U.S. for almost 20 years. The speaker's anecdotes include a funny interaction with his dad about his parents' marriage and his own experiences being asked to speak Chinese at Chinese restaurants, highlighting cultural misunderstandings.

Takeaways

• 😅 The speaker finds it annoying but also understands that his dad's frequent calls are a way of showing love.
• 😳 The speaker contrasts his own relationship with his dad with a friend's who hasn't spoken to his dad in 3 weeks, highlighting different family dynamics.
• 😄 A humorous story is shared where the speaker's dad would call 911 if he didn't call back within 3 hours, emphasizing the importance of communication in his family.
• 💑 The speaker's parents have been married for 38 years, and he finds their long-lasting relationship beautiful.
• 😅 The speaker's dad humorously suggests that his mom married him to escape China, indicating a playful and unconventional expression of love in their family.
• 🤔 The speaker feels American despite being an Asian American, but acknowledges that others may not see him as fully American due to his ethnicity.
• 😕 The speaker expresses frustration with being seen primarily as Asian rather than American, and the assumptions people make about his background.
• 😓 The speaker dislikes being asked to speak Chinese or order in Chinese at restaurants, especially when it's unnecessary or inappropriate.
• 😅 A friend's expectation that speaking Chinese would get a better deal at a Mexican restaurant is met with the speaker's sarcasm, highlighting cultural misunderstandings.
• 😆 The speaker humorously compares the ease of entering Mexico to a Costco, using exaggeration for comedic effect.

Q & A

How often does the speaker's dad call to check on him?

The speaker's dad calls him around 20 times a day.

What does the speaker's friend do differently regarding communication with his father?

The speaker's friend hasn't talked to his dad in 3 weeks despite living with him.

What is the speaker's reaction to his friend's lack of communication with his father?

The speaker is surprised and uses humor to express that if he doesn't call his dad back in 3 hours, his dad would call 911.

How long have the speaker's parents been married?

The speaker's parents have been married for 38 years.

What does the speaker's dad say about his marriage when asked if he still loves his wife?

The speaker's dad humorously says he married his wife to escape from China, implying it's more of a good deal than love.

How long has the speaker been in the United States?

The speaker has been in the United States for almost 20 years.

How does the speaker feel about being seen as Asian before being seen as American?

The speaker feels that even though he considers himself fully American, others still see him as Asian first, which he finds annoying.

What is the speaker's reaction when people react to him being from Hong Kong?

The speaker finds it annoying and unimpressive when people react in a stereotypical way to him being from Hong Kong.

Why does the speaker dislike going to Chinese restaurants with some friends?

The speaker dislikes it because his friends expect him to speak Chinese and order in Chinese, even when it's not necessary or appropriate.

What is the speaker's experience when entering Mexico from the US?

The speaker describes entering Mexico as easier than entering a Costco, as there is no ID check and it's like walking through a big revolving door.

What does the speaker imply about his identity as an Asian American?

The speaker implies that despite being in the US for almost 20 years, he still faces challenges with his identity, as people often perceive him as Asian rather than American.