“男的要让女的，姐要让弟“
Context: Whenever my sister and I used to fight, my dad would always tell us that “the boy must let the girl, but the older one must let the younger one.” So in the end, we shouldn’t actually be fighting at all.”
After thoughts: Similar to China’s traditions and beliefs about familial roles, the man is viewed as the head of the household and should be respected. However, the elders of the families are also well respected.
Interviewee: My dad always said: always under promise and over deliver and never over promise and under deliver.
Interviewer: What does that mean to you?
Interviewee: That’s who you should be as a person. Show them you can do better and impress them. Say what they are content with and then do more.
After thoughts: This is similar to many Chinese motifs on trust and friendships, especially “guanxi” the basic dynamic in relationships with others. Reciprocal favors are the key to “guanxi” and failure to reciprocate is considered unforgivable. This is central in Chinese society and describes the importance of personal connection between two people.
“I have something a teacher told me that I have always said to you…and that is, if you want to dance you have to pay the band.”
Interviewer: What does this mean to you?
Interviewee: That means whatever you want in life, you have to put in to get out. Nothing is going to come free to you. nothing is free. if you want to do something, you have to do it. It’s not free. That wis something that I always live by.
“Every rose has it’s thorn”
Interviewee: My grandmother used to say this to me. Not everything beautiful is perfect and everything that is beautiful has its flaws. Sometimes the most beautiful.”
The informant is Persian. A similar proverb, believed to be from Persia, says “he who wants a rose must respect the thorn.” Here the idea of imperfection is expressed and teaches people to love and respect one another despite individual differences and flaws.
“Okay so I remember when we played volleyball back in high school and the other team served into the net we were always told “to not celebrate the other teams failures” because that shows our character.” Like celebrating over something they messed up isn’t something we should do…we should celebrate something that we did well and worked for.”
After thoughts: It’s very easy to get caught up with winning but it’s important to not forget values. This is similar to many motifs on “character” which includes the many qualities and characteristics of a person. Character is much more than just reputation, but instead is what we want others to see.