"What are you?" When people ask me about my or my family's background, my answer always depends on who's asking. I'm either Taiwanese, Chinese, CBC, or Canadian - making me a racial paradox.

By Nationality, I'm Canadian, and that's the answer I almost always give when I'm away from Canada. When asked within Canada, or by a Canadian, I assume they know I'm Canadian and so I usually reply with Taiwanese. If asked when in China, I usually say I'm Chinese or my parents are from Taiwan (without saying I'm "Taiwanese", to avoid sparking unnecessary controversy) - I tend to just agree with them that we are all alike, although I may not think we're anything alike.

My three choices are also convenient labels to make myself the same as or different from the people I'm talking to as desired. If I'm with my Taiwanese friends, I'm Taiwanese "like you", but I'm a CBC. While proud to be Taiwanese, I'm selective in choosing which Taiwanese characteristics I want to be associated with. I pride certain Taiwanese values and traditions, but take a strong Western views and dislike so many customs here in Taiwan. At the same time, I wouldn't follow the "Westerner"'s family value system either. By race, I'm Chinese, but I'm not Chinese. I'm Canadian, like all Canadians, but of a Taiwanese background, which makes me different from many. So where does that leave me? I guess that's what makes a CBC... a bit of everything, not fully anything.

CBCs (a term I use loosely to include many Canadian Born Asians) definitely have their own culture. In some ways, they're a race of their own, while not necessarily being of the same ethnic race at all. Fluency in their ethnic tongue is rare, and they often can't stand hearing new immigrants speaking their native language amongst themselves, not willing to assimilate into their new environment. Unfortunately, many CBCs suffer from poor English abilities as well, not having the chance to speak at home. At least in Vancouver, CBCs' friends are often other CBCs (or CBAsians), usually with room for a Caucasian or two (or some mixes) who are oddly open to the idea of being "the white guy" and joking about it. Of course, English is generally the main language spoken, but so often you'll hear Chinese words come up, because quite frankly, those are the only words we know to describe certain things. Typical CBC activities are a mix between Western and Asian activities (sports and outdoor activities, bubble tea, karaoke). CBC's also share an understanding of family values, strict parents, traditions they consider dumb and unnecessary, and other traditionally Asian anecdotes. In an abrupt end, that's my babble on CBCs.

A short page describing Chinese Canadians speaks about our roots, not in family, but those in immigration.

What are your thoughts?