Pandering To The Stereotype
October 11, 2009 | Filed under Family & Friends, Life
Because our family isn’t quite stereotypically Asian enough, my parents have brought back the following items (amongst others on their shopping spree) from their three week vacation visiting family in Hong Kong and China:
- Soy bean drink maker
- Plastic covers for our television/DVD player remotes
- A bobble head toy figurine for my new car (more later)
We do our best to pander to stereotypes. My mother also deemed it necessary for the modesty of her only daughter to purchase these two items for me (see photo on right). The camisole, as she thinks the tops and dresses I wear are too low-cut, and that I need to wear something more modest underneath them. The cardigan, because I shouldn’t go out with bare arms unless it’s a forty degree day. Of course, I’ll probably only ever wear the camisole by itself, and will continue to go out with bare arms, but at least she can now feel like she’s done her bit to make me a lady.
My brother on the other hand, got an LG KM900. Recommended retail price: $799AUD. I don’t know what a thirteen-year-old needs a high tech mobile phone for, but he asked for it, so of course, he got it. To recap – he got a $799AUD mobile phone, I got a bobble-head toy figurine and two tops that cost $30AUD all up. I know love for a child isn’t reflected by the amount of the gifts bestowed upon them, but fuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.
Anyway, bitterness at blatant favouritism of the male child aside, I put a deposit down on the new 2009 model Mitsubishi Colt VRX yesterday. It has pretty much all the same features as the current model, but has had a slight facelift in the shape of the exterior to bring it in line with their Lancer model. I bargained it down to $18,990AUD from about $22,000AUD, so I’m happy enough with the price.
It’ll unfortunately be about two weeks before the new model comes in, so I’ll be vehicle-less for a week – I’ll get a free loan car from the dealers after the 18th until the day it arrives (probably around the 30th). One week shan’t be too much of an issue – I should be spending the next week and a half finishing up (or you know, actually starting) my last assignment of the year anyway, rather than zipping around in a new car!
15 Responses to Pandering To The Stereotype
Leave a Reply
I reserve the right to edit or delete your comment as I see fit, though I only delete comments from anonymous commenters, or people with multiple aliases. Using a genuine name/email combination will ensure that your comment is approved.
Yikes, that must really suck – you should’ve asked for some kind of flash phone… then sold it! ;) … I kid, I kid. But seriously, at age 13, aren’t they meant to still be outdoors running around chasing after balls in the playground?!
As for the car, it’s certainly not my cup of tea, but it looks like a convenient vehicle to park and wont be petrol guzzling :)
Amanda on October 11, 2009 #
I’m amazed at the difference your parents make in the value of the gifts you both received. Even though love isn’t measured in gifts and money IMO it’s just wrong to make such a difference. But I guess as long as you’re OK with it who am I to complian..
Chans on October 11, 2009 #
Wow… Unless they got an *incredibly* good deal on the phone in HK/China (because, really, my parents somehow always find things that are supposed to be expensive, but get them from tiny stalls at a tenth of the price), that really bites. What does a 13 year old need with a phone that can do more than place a call?
And that car looks so teeny tiny. I’m always a fan of small cars, since I parallel park so much. :)
And (my last and) I thought my family was the only one that used plastic remote covers.
Michelle on October 11, 2009 #
Haha. Our mums are alike when it comes to the stop-revealing-so-much-skin thing. And dayyyyum, that phone is awesome.
Rilla on October 11, 2009 #
soy bean drink maker!! lol… my mum got one of these and thought it was such a good idea at the time – we can make healthy soy drinks right in our home! But two years later, we’ve used it about what… twice? Hopefully your family drinks a lot more of these than mine ;)
kat on October 11, 2009 #
Reply to the first comment: if he were outside he’d be called a yob with irresponsible parents.. If he were inside playing video games then he’d be lazy/overweight and the parents would be irresponsible. You can’t win.
Ann on October 11, 2009 #
Yeah, my brother and I have been struggling with the favoritism crap for a long time. We both know better, but struggle with ti anyways.
And congratulations on the car!! Super cute!
Mar on October 12, 2009 #
Wow, nice phone! Your parents totally owe you something nice..,
Like Michelle, I thought *my* family was the only one that used plastic remote covers. :P
Kaylee on October 12, 2009 #
Omg when my parents came back from HK, they brought back this machine thingy that seals plastic covers onto remotes and stuff.
Katy on October 12, 2009 #
Hmmm…interesting souvenirs…never heard of any of them actually. ^^;
And your brother getting a phone…X.x
Noellium on October 12, 2009 #
My brother found a thank-you card that I wrote my mum for giving me some money for household things, and basically put his hand out to get his share. For the first time ever mum told him to bugger off. :p
Macca on October 12, 2009 #
No sleeves unless it’s 40˚C out? Your mother would kill me.
Arielle on October 13, 2009 #
I meant, ‘sleeves unless it’s 40˚C’. Bah. Bloody typos.
Arielle on October 13, 2009 #
My mom, surprisingly, isn’t like that at all. Maybe it’s because she wears the same stuff I wear. :P I actually like what you’re wearing, I’d wear that. Not being able to go sleeveless unless it’s 40 out is ridiculous though.
The price of your brother’s phone made me jaw literally drop to the floor…
Regina on October 13, 2009 #
Pingback: Jingwen » Blog Archive » You Can Catch More Flies With Honey