Sunday Night Interview

As the son of generally well established first-generation immigrants, I did not have to live an immigrant life. It had not even occurred to me to ask about my parents' story, about what it was like to "start anew." It's clear now that their story is every bit a part of my story.

Me: "What was your first impression of America?"
Dad: "Spacious. There were no tall buildings, and everything was so spread out."

It's no doubt that we Americans comfortably enjoy the vast amount of space we have, especially between houses. I've lived in my neighborhood for six years now, and I don't completely know the names of my next-door neighbors. I attribute this to when we do actually see each other, the thought of having to awkwardly shout across the lawn with the chance of being inaudible anyway discourages any interaction altogether.

Me: "What was the most interesting part of America?"
Dad: "Hooters. And Twizzlers- they taste like rubber hoses. And the large sizes of everything."
Mom: "The large scale natural scenery, like the Yellowstone National Park and Grand Canyon."

Regarding Hooters, I dared not ask further- "there are limits to what even interested persons can ask of each other." Nonetheless, largeness is clearly a motif in American culture. While the grandeur overproduction and mass-consumption of all things American may be seen as glutinous and savagely-grotesque, this was, in my parents' eyes, one of the most alluring qualities. Perhaps, this was a repulsive kind of interest, the kind of disgust that you can't help but continuously probe at until you become used to it.

Me: "In terms of all the American liberties, which is your favorite right?"
Dad: "The fact that a basic human right was the Pursuit of Happiness. Back in Taiwan, you know, it was about responsibility and contributing to the country. I felt this was a big difference."

To my dad, America is where you can contribute to the country without compromising personal happiness, where you can happily sing karaoke in the comfort of your home, where you can barbecue all-American hotdogs on lazy summer afternoons, where you can gulf down a large bag of popcorn while watching Star Wars in IMAX 3D, where you can live in a utopian community with an exceptional education system, where you can enjoy the simple luxuries of Somerset Mall and the cheap goods of Walmart... . There's a lot to celebrate.