Once you hear swear words fly through the air in an angry tone it is apparent that you are in an argument with another person. However, once you realize these foul words are said in Tagalog, you know you're in an argument with a Filipino parent. In situations like this I feel so angry to the point where I explode and take part in the argument. If you're Filipino then you know what happens when you shout at your parents. Yes... a butt whooping.
At the end of an argument I feel so heated to the point where i really forget why i was angry in the first place. It's the little things that usually bug me. They seem to just pile up on me until I just collapse and turn into this "Incredible Hulk" mode. Unfortunately for me, my dad is a "Bigger Hulk". At that moment I know I have already lost.
Sometimes I feel these temper tantrums are necessary because they help me realize that I need to just calm down and know my place in the family. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents, but sometimes they don't make sense. It's hard to agree with someone when they've lived a totally different life where you know their lifestyles aren't even on the same level for comparison. In the end I guess I have learned one lesson... butt whooping hurt, so I'm not going to argue anymore.
I know exactly how you feel. It's terrible.
ReplyDeleteThis piece may be harder to relate to for a non-Filipino audience, but if your audience WAS primarily of Filipino descent, then your connection to something we all know to be true creates this emotional appeal that draws a Filipino reader in as they sympathize with your anger.
I notice you address your audience often, even in your other blogs. If not for essays, then for the purposes of good writing it's a useful method to get personal with your readers and connect to them on an emotional stance.
^ Which is good! :) (I forgot to add that. My mistake)
ReplyDelete