Overheard this conversation in the living room as my yandao brother returned home:
Taf: Oh I'm not coming home for dinner tomorrow
Mum: Again?!?! (clearly agitated) Can eat out after receiving your pay eh?
Taf: ...
My Mum regained her composure within 5 min after my brother stood ground. She must have realised that she has got no leverage on us or has reasons to justify her sudden expression of her displeasure.
I guess, she has been turning us into model kids to the extent that she has been too pampered. I can understand the parents' desire to have meals with the kids but the fact is that we are committed in so many areas that meals with the folks shouldn't be taken as a "given" but as an "occasion". Certainly, parents wouldn't want to see kids without any interaction with the outside world, such that they are at home all the time; at the same time, model kids like us do feel obliged to spend some quality time with our parents when we still have the opportunity.
Yet, the unfortunate thing is that the balance perceived by both sides can be quite different and this is where the tension comes in.
I guess I have the better deal because I left home for my studies and through which, I am receiving more respect from them than I probably deserve. And from respect, the freedom. I'd say that I was rather proud of my yandao brother for standing ground earlier and I hope the older folks will have the enlightenment that it is about time to develop some good hobbies for themselves because we may eventually end up with overseas postings where they can't possibly even attempt to fret over us.
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