aunt Chao, Ru-Fen

Name: Chao, Ru-Fen

Origin of ancestors: Shandong ,China

Birthplace : Taiwan

Occupation: operating a snack shop

 
¡§As long as respecting each other and thinking for the other, and keeping your partner's habits and thoughts into your life, it's not a problem because of different origins of provinces.¡¨
 

Around 7 am every morning, after aunt Chao and her husband who are married for ten years send two kids to school, they go to ¡§May & May¡¨ breakfast shop at Wolong Street and start their day. They sell egg pastry, sandwich, milk tea, soybean milk, etc. as breakfast and change to fried rice and meals at lunch time. They need to clean up the shop and prepare tomorrow's meals after closing the business around 2 pm .

Aunt Chao's father is a soldier. He joined the army at fifteen years old during the civil war, and left the army after nineteen years of service. Aunt Chao's mother was born in Pingdong Taiwan , how did they know each other?

¡§My parent's matchmaker is my grandma!¡¨ aunt Chao said with a laugh, ¡§my grandma knew my father first and thought he has a good character. She introduced her own daughter to him.¡¨

They got married and have six kids. The salary for a soldier was little at early stage, and not much pensions for retirement. You were on your own to raise six kids, which is not easy.

¡§My father is a standard soldier¡Xable to bear hardship against difficult environment and never fall back. Since his service year is only 19, one year less, he cannot have the lifelong pension like other soldiers. He raised us by himself after leaving the army.¡¨ When aunt Chao talked about her father, she showed pride on her face. ¡§My father often told us that we can only earn our own money, shouldn't take money that is not belong to us, not even one cent.¡¨

Until now, six kids of Chao's are all have their own families and businesses. Money is not a problem anymore, but grandpa and grandma Chao still work hard. They not only help around at the snack shop but also do recycling works.

¡§What's the impact on kids due to grandpa Chao's military character?¡¨ Jim asked out of curiosity.

¡§My father's discipline to us is also militarized. For example, you can never prop up your head with your hand; you cannot lie prone on the table while eating. If these happen,

 
aunt Chao is chatting with us at home.
 
Aunt Chao, Ru-Fen is at the breakfast shop.
 
Aunt Chao at work
 
Take pictures together in front of the breakfast shop
a slap is coming without warning. You have to stand and sit like a rock. On weekends, my father wakes me up at 6 am and have me write 500 words first.¡¨ Aunt Chao said ¡§my father acts like a soldier after retirement.¡¨

Aunt Chao's family is also another good example of the fusion of races: father was born in Shandong , mother was born in Pingdong, and herself married a man from Taipei .

¡§Based on aunt's personal experience, is there anything makes you feel uneasy when you are married a person with different background?¡¨ Andy asked.

¡§Living style and concept are influenced by different background. But I don't think it's a big problem, as long as respecting each other and thinking for the other, and keeping your partner's habits and thoughts into your life, it's not a problem because of different origins of provinces.¡¨ Aunt Chao said affirmatively, ¡§my parents and ourselves are good examples!¡¨

After aunt Chao's interview, we all have a feeling: those who like emphasize racial consciousness should listen to what aunt Chao just said.

     

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