I was born in Taiwan, my family moved to Saudi Arabia when I was one month old. Studied in 4 different countries including Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Singapore, and Australia. Ask me anything.
[AMA] I'm a Taiwanese Australian who grew up in Saudi Arabia ask me anything
Ltherealsamlin on 13/02/2018 - 00:29
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How did your family end up in Saudi Arabia?
What made you study in so many countries? And what did you study?
We went to Saudi Arabia due to my dad's work.
We moved back to Taiwan shortly after 911, because there were a lot of terrorists attack each day, especially around the embassy area. Our compound was even attacked by a suicide car bomber, end up killing an American diplomat family.
So I'm back in Taiwan for grade 7 & 8. The education system in Taiwan is really f**ked up, kids my age (13): goes to school at 7:30am, finishes school at 5:30pm, go to tutor class and get home around 9pm. My dad thinks it's super unhealthy and messed up for kids my age and sent me to an international school in Singapore
Same reason why we moved to Australia from Taiwan :)
oh and btw I studied IT and I'm a software engineer now
What was living in the SA climate like? Hiding in aircon indoors all the time? Did you get any exercise outside?
I can't remember the exact celsius degree for winter but it gets super cold at night/morning. I think there was a 50 degrees day in a summer which was insane.
Nah we do a lot of outdoor activities, football is really big there. Occasionally my dad takes us to the desert for a day out. It was amazing.
Mate, 50c over there is tolerable, as it's dry heat. Here in Sydney it could be 30c, but the humidity kills it.
Who are the worst tourists you have encountered in all of those countries? Are we all going to end up like them someday?
Chinese from mainland China (dirty, litters, and loud af). Drunk Aussies are up there too (disrespectful, racist, and aggressive).
So it's the same the world over then.
Did you or your family endure any racism?
Not much, as I went to American school it's really multi-cultural and most of the kids there are from a more educated family which helps. As a diplomat in SA my dad gets a green car plate and when people see green car plates it's pretty much a "don't f**k with them", we've never been pulled over by the police.
Believe it or not, here in Brisbane, racism is wayyy worse.
Do you live in the Southside?
I do! Which part do you think is the most racist?
no I'm in newstead
That's Queensland alright.
Id find that hard to believe. Saudis treat their hired help from philippines, india etc worse than galley slaves. Not just my observations either, if the report by four corners two days ago has anything to do with it.
Thats because the religion and culture (same thing there) equates infidels as less than human.
What is your overall view of Islam?
I'm not muslim, I don't mind it, there's good and bad people in every religion and country.
His question was actually what you thought of the religion, not the followers.
hes not muslim, how can he comment on the religion? its like asking someone who hasn't ate an apple to give you a review on an apple
@eXtremist:
The question was about his opinion not his review. His opinion can be formed with knowledge of the religion.Must someone subscribe to a religion to have a view on said religion?
Do I suddenly feel some magical shroud being lifted when I pledge my faith?
Ps. Muslims have a very strong opinion about every other religion or non-believer.
@tshow: "Muslims have a very strong opinion about every other religion or non-believer" is that a stereotype you have created?
@eXtremist:
Those who disbelieve shall be overcome and gathered unto Hell -3:12Among the hundreds among hundreds of passages that I did not create.
And you have nothing to rebut other than to try and make a side spectacle about stereotyping?
We are asking about the religion that guides the lives of the place OP lived in. I'm sure he has an opinion of it but unfortunately, people like you will spew all sorts of accusations to censor an opinion.
Religion is a mental illness caused by brainwashing.
@tshow: i can pull similar quotes from any other religion books. its funny that you take things from context.
@eXtremist: Sane people tend not to argue about who has the best invisible friend.
Username checks out, of course.
You dont have to be a member of a religion to comment on it, any more than you need to be a member of a politcal ideology to comment on politics.
What most people dont appreciate is that religion is politics taken to the next level, where everything is now justified as being by god etc.
While informed opinion makes for interesting discussions and can potentially provide new perspectives, uninformed opinion serves as terrible entertainment at best and hurtful and divisive comments at worst.
Eliciting uninformed opinion is unethical and malicious, and is the current default standard for journalism in the West. Which is why we have so many FAKE NEWS PEOPLE!! FAKE NEWS!!!Eliciting uninformed opinion is unethical and malicious
Who are you to say if someone is informed with their opinion?
Those who disbelieve shall be overcome and gathered unto Hell -3:12
So what about that statement? Doesn't affect you if you don't believe it.
@eXtremist:
So I given you a quote to dismiss your allegations of stereotyping (which was taken out of context) and now you're accusing me of taking things out of context?All religious books are absurd to me. There are so many damning literal quotes with nothing but "out of context" to defend it.
But congratulations, you've successfully made another person uncomfortable to voice their opinion. Typical religious defence - stop intelligent thought in its tracks.
Due to your painfully ridiculous accusations that keep shifting as they are proven false, I'll ignore you now.
@MrB:
I never said it affected me. Muslims can feel free to think I'm going to hell. That's their opinion. That's exactly what I'm saying.The religion has an opinion on other religions and non believers.
Likewise, other religions and non believers are perfectly entitled to have an opinion of it.
@tshow: read the full book before you open your mouth about any religion otherwise you're going to sound stupid
@D C: my username means what? its a username not a personality or profile, your intelligence checks out.
Figured you wouldn't answer my question straight up but thanks for confirming :)
Can only assume the neggers are in the same boat.
How many beheadings did you see?
0
What is your true indentity (the one inside you)? Do you ever have the time that consfused you? As you grow up in a few countries and cultures. Ta
I was confused as to where's my hometown before I've moved to Australia, I'd like to say Taiwan but I've only lived there 4 years in my life (2 years pre-school, 2 years middle school) and doesn't really know much about Taiwan.
As of now, I identify myself as an Australian with Taiwanese background. Australia is my home and Taiwan is where my parents live. Australia is also the place where I've grown into a man. Still battling with racism every now and then though, esp the bogans here in Brisbane.
What does the racism look like and how often would it happen? I am a WASP so have never had to deal with it here, it's such a foreign concept to me.
It's the small things that get me. Old people and drunks are the worst, drunks just do the ching chang crap which is totally laughable, while old do the " I'm going to talk really slowly because he's Asian", and act all surprised when I can answer them fluently, then hits me with the your English is really good where did you learn it bs.
@therealsamlin:
I'd pay no attention to racism like that. They are usually from people who are in and will probably stay in a lower station in life.To be fair, Taiwanese people just assume that any Caucasian person will not know how to speak Mandarin. And if they do, will also be surprised and ask all the usual where did you learn stuff. I don't think that's racism, tbh.
The bogans are just bogans…
@bl1027: My thoughts too… for these old people, for most of their lives and for the majority of Asian people they met they did need to speak slowly and clearly otherwise they couldn't have a conversation. It's not being racist, isn't it being considerate/ thoughtful?
Go to France and try and speak French to someone in anything but perfect French to see a comparison.
while old do the " I'm going to talk really slowly because he's Asian", and act all surprised when I can answer them fluently, then hits me with the your English is really good where did you learn it bs.
What's bs is you getting offended by it.
where do you live now?
Brisvegas, I'm planning to move to the states EOY or early next year!
How many languages do you know and at what level of proficiency? What do you use most at home?
English - full professional proficiency
Mandarin - full professional proficiencyMy English accent is a hybrid of american/australian and hint of Asian. However most people think I'm either white or aboriginal (not sure why) over the phone.
I have a slight Mandarin accent due to not being able to speak it much.
I use Mandarin at home with my parents and English with my mates.
out of all those countries which ones have the best, mcdonalds, burger king, kfc, pizza hut/dominos?
fingers corssed australia for all, or im gona have to get a new passport.
Singapore, you can get chilli cheese fries at KFC over there, it's chips with sour cream/chees/sweet chilli. Amazing.
KFC in Singapore is amazing. They were doing honey sesame fried chicken for Lunar New Year and it was incredible.
For a nation that loves fast food, our fast food variety sucks (quality is good… For a fast food).
Bring back the hot and spicy. - every chicken lover (not the "make-love" kind of lover)
….. but. we still do have hot and spicey…?
Where in straya are ya?
@mangostickyrice:
Actually, I have heard of this fabled KFC that defies all (Victorian) sensibilities.
What is the quality of life like for the locals? Massive inequality?
I never get to hang with the locals so I don't know much. But there were A LOT of good cars on the road: rolls royce, bently, lambo. You name it. One of my childhood friend's dad was the designated doctor for a prince and he lived in a mansion with security and helicopter pad - so the prince could visit him in his helicopter
while in saudi, did you ever feel the need to rip the handbrake whilst driving on the freeway?
I'm pretty sure OP is too yound to drive a car back then. Or unless the Saudis allows 7 grader drive a Lambo? :P
nope but there's no speed limit, my dad was going 200km/h in his Cadillac on a daily basis. It's funny how some Arabians hate Americans but love American cars: GMC, Cadillac, and Lincoln…etc
OP, can you speak Arabic?
just the vulgarities :p.
What's the kebab like in SA?
This place I went to made these tiny little chicken kebabs. Bloody hell, I would absolutely smash these things. Just watching them being made was satisfying.
AMAZING. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. They have this thing called "shawarma" and it's literally one of the best thing I've ever had. It's basically kebab with pickles and fries in it but it tastes 10x better than what we have here.
Second that. It is disappointing that they don't serve it here. All they need to do is replace the lebanese bread with some "kuboos" and garlic sauce. I wish I could visit a restaurant which serves middle eastern dishes including the "kabsa" and "mandi"
they have it here, go to a place called Jasmins
people in the west have no idea what they are missing out on. the turkish kebab/gyro is dominant over the arabic shawarma.
heavens above, i miss them shawarmas!
Did your mum have to wear an abaya? Did she cover her hair? How was she treated?
Yea she had to cover her hair but not her whole face. I'm not sure how she's treated when I'm not around but when I am around it seems pretty normal?
I've been to Saudi as well. Please tell me you tried albaik chicken? :p
How'd you like maccas there?
Were you ever curious about entering Mecca or Medina?, as you probably know, non Muslims cannot enter. I have to admit, I giggled when I saw the big signs that read "no non Muslims beyond this point"
EDIT: Did you also try Texas chicken in Saudi? Bloody hell, it destroys kfc.
texas chicken in kl. one of the few good fast food joints.
kfc was soo bad thereMy parents are one of those super religious Christians so we've never been to Mecca
ah my bad - wrong comment
How often do you shower and also should I wash my car?
when's the last time you washed your car
Only after trying a weight loss drug and ensuring you have finalised a list of items to bring back from your first trip to the USA following your recent divorce.
Do you find people racist against yourself?
if yes, from all the countries you grew up, which one do you find the most racist against yourself?
If none all them, all good then :)What are the best perks of being a family member of a diplomat in a foreign country?
Flying first class, business class is the minimum. We have our own special gate so we don't have to wait for custom. Prolly lived in 10+ houses in SA because as a diplomat you get an allowance for rent/cars/travel/maids, the amount of allowance goes up depending on how long you've stayed in the country and your role. So whenever my dad gets an allowance bump we move to a bigger place. The biggest place we've lived in was a 4 level house with 15+ rooms and 2 maids, not to mention the pool and tennis court that came with it.
hi
Hi :)
What are your thoughts of the bloke with the AMG ?
good on him! Heck I'd want one too
@The Land of Smeg:
I typed ME, stupid Samsung auto-correct seems to prefer (just checked) MI on my phone. :)