Meet the kids who grew up in Chinese takeaways - BBC Stories
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- čas přidán 19. 06. 2024
- BBC Stories meets the children of Chinese immigrants who sacrificed their childhoods by working. From peeling shrimp to confronting racist customers, they grew up fast to help their immigrant parents.
#bbcstories #takeaway #britishchinese
This video really highlights what it feels like to be a takeaway kid and the efforts and sacrifices our parents made to give us a good life. I’m really touched by this video and glad to hear that other takeaway kids have shared the same experiences as I have :’) ❤️
Me too. I've been working at my parents takeaway since I was 7 and I will work until I leave for university. Even if it meant I had to sacrifice some of my childhood working, it's worth it if I could help my parents.
Absolutely!! I really admire the guys who shared their story because it's a deeply personal one.
All the takeaway kids are fat it seems. Very weird. Every Chinese person I know in real life is thin.
@@amrita3000 idiano
@@amrita3000 Standing does not consume as much calories as walking. Working in the restaurants, you spend long hours standing and are totally exhausted after work. But you don't burn any more calories than people whose jobs requires more walking, yet less hours. If your have a sitting job, you are not as tired comparing to standing jobs. At restaurants, there are always food around. If you don't smoke, best way to rest and relax is to grab some food , sit down and enjoy the food. Day after day... So be more understanding... Restaurants are THE TOUGHEST business to be in.
Media rarely cover the British chinese. This is enlightening.
Yh Ong I Didn’t even know it existed
I've always said this especially now where all we here is about Muslims. it's like everyone forgets the British Chinese and Indians.... Maybe it's because we all get along just fine ☺
You're Not That Guy this video is about the British Chinese not about British South Asians which are heavily represented across all levels of society and media. So gives us some space for an audience.
They do it on purpose. It would give the right impression that Asian immigrants work way harder for their lives than some other cultures coming to western county's that always complain.
Gordon Ramsay’s finning documentary did. 🤭
I was one of these kids... No regrets..respect to my parents. Fed all my friends, always had cash and had a private education. Now my life is easy thanks to businesses running themselves .. I thank my parents for that
but i wonder, why are asians there slightly on the plump side and males seems feminine..
???? "🤔🤔
@@limcharles9730 so u stereotype a whole community with 5 people..wow. There's a big world out there for u.
@*Veganislife* no not at all lol...no where near... My mum is super skinny like a stick... I keep telling her to eat more... Actually my uncle is fat but he loves beer too much....
@*Veganislife* and THESE people are not obese... They've just lived and live well.
Really respect the first generation immigrants who worked so hard to earn a living in the UK. Im Indian and my grandparents came over in the 50's and I am so thankful to them and even my parents for how I am living now ♥️♥️
Sim K oh, I'm a current immigrant, but not for bad reason I'm adopted
what have they given to society ?? it's just a takeaway.
@@jorrgfromage9929 They pay taxes and work way more than most "native" people.
really, so what ?? it's just a takeaway @@diesel_dawg
You're Not That Guy. I don’t see any correlation to this video. Troll.
jorrgfromage. Better than your family scrounging off the taxpayers hard earned money. Better than what you and your family will ever achieve.
They had helped feed people who can’t or won’t cook. Or you guys would have starved a long time ago. You might as well go around to all fish and chip stores or fancy restaurants and say they only provide food.
I live in New Zealand and the young girl at our local Chinese restaurant is about 10. I asked her what type of seafood was on the menu. She was incredibly smart and named all the types of fish straight away and how it was served! Not only that, she took orders and payments and gave change. Really blew me away 🤗
Same here i live in manawatu we have this family at local fish and chip shop and have been here for over 50years best fish and chips in town lol
In America, they would get in trouble, someone would probably report the restaurant for child labor lol
Chinese market gardens in Dargaville, Pukekohe and Otaki
That's sad then, she probably have no childhood like me
I know! I'm American and even as a kid, I respected the Chinese ppl and their hardworking, smart children. I was taught to be hardworking, too, and am still achieving more educational goals.
Growing up in a takeaway where social life was zero, only day off was Tuesday, however I was fortunate to afford things other kids didn't. 30 years on I thank my mum and dad for literally slaving over a hot stove to ensure us kids have a decent education and future.
Andrew always Tuesday!
Why Tuesday though? It is Tuesday on Merseyside too!
@@billyhughes805 no idea mate maybe it's a tradition? I was a takeaway kid in the 80s and always been closed on an odd day like Tuesday
@@s88hon - cheers for the reply, I will find out one day!
It's Mondays in Newcastle!
I'm not Chinese but I remember all of my Chinese friends when we were children that used to translate for their parents, I remember thinking that was a lot of responsibility for a child, I had a lot of respect for them.
Send 'em a PM, I'm sure they'd appreciate it and get a lil nostalgic fun out of it. I certainly would.
Lovely comment. It would have made them feel abit better about their situation knowing that someone else understood what they were going through.
I too come from a Chinese takeaway family in Australia ... this is a beautiful comment
OMG yeah we would buy insurance for them and 8 year old me doesn’t even know what insurance is for. The caller can only hear a kids voice on the other line😂
PM your favourite customers. Tell them how much they made your job tolerable, even lovable.
Could BBC hire that guy second from the right. I could listen to him all day.
haha! man i can watch him do the football commentary with martin tyler. Sounds like allen smith
I agree! His voice is just so pleasant 😍
I was thinking the same thing all throughout the vid!!!
Conwy11 wierd yes
I have to agree
The story about his father getting spit on made me cry.
Hi from a former Takeaway kid from East London!!! This video brought back fond memories.. I worked at the shop front since 12, taking orders and also helped out with food prepping/chopping/cleaning.. I used to do my homework in between taking orders too... Glad to say I never lost my focus, did my GCSE with 11As, got into 4 of the best medical schools in London and I have been a doctor for 10+ years... the years at the takeaway was challenging, but it really made me grow up and taught me how to handle difficult /nasty people... those years shape who I am today!!!
rebeccawcleung wow your parents must be proud of you
@@ajsuflena156 Thank you! I am forever grateful for their hardwork and sacrifices...
Just a question. What was the most popular dish in your takeaway?
Cool story...your folks must be very proud
upz kla
A message from a former Chinese take-away kid to all those that have made racist remarks towards me and my family: I contributed £45,000 in taxes last year so that we can live in a better place together.
CAN WE MAKE A VIETNAMESE VERSION !!! The nailshop kids and the KOREAN ONES the beauty supply kids
Ryan Phung veitnamese people are awesome we invite more of them into UK
Ryan Phung & the Asian grocery store kids and the convenience store kids! 😩
Interesting would love to see this
Filipino ones the nurse kids 😂😂
you mean karaoke kids?:D Don't hate, I'm half Pinoy.@@cC-ju6wf
Growing up in a Chinese restaurant that my parents owned, seeing this tugs my heartstrings because it's the closest representation of my childhood that I've ever seen in media. We had a fair share of those racist experiences from rude customers but you just bounce back and keep working. Thank you BBC for making this and putting it out there.
Awesome!
topherh33 no??
topherh33 probably revenge 😂
topherh33 did you ever consider that English isn’t their first language?
topherh33 how is it racist when u treat EVERYONE like dat?
Just shows how hardworking, dedicated, resilient, and loving the Chinese people are. I have to admit, this brought tears of admiration to my eyes.
Brad Smith I agree with you. Accept the good immigrants, ban the bad ones
That’s only cause ur Chinese
@Brad Smith thats most immigrants tbh
Most asian immigrants are legal, which they study the culture and observe respect to the surrounding culture rather than the illegals or refugees, sometimes they are stubborn and ungrateful to the country's culture and traditions that they don't give an effort to learn and to adapt, they just push their agendas unto the locals' throats and influence politicians to consider them as potential voters or suppporters.
Piss Trooper I’m half Norwegian and half Korean. Don’t try to be a smartass buddy.
Even though I am a take-away kid from Canada, I can relate to everything these UK take-away kids have said. I have a similar story for every story they had and that's pretty cool. Watching my parent's work tirelessly 7 days a week is what motivated me to make the best out of the opportunity they provided. I graduated with a degree in Computer Engineering from a top Canadian university, worked in investment banks, and now live a luxury high rise in London. Thank you, Mom and Dad, and to all the honest hard-working immigrant parents out there.
I'm chinese born and raised in Italy. I work for my family in a clothing store. We get prank calls and teens coming in the shop putting up a fake accent or elders asking me if I can speak italian pretty often... Duuude what a life
Selina Lee si parlo Italiano lol just says it ;) and smile :)
@@ummabdulrahmaan8827 It's not our duty to appease your ignorance.
Jian Wang why you saying my ignorance I was saying hello to her. Because I’m from Brazil and I like Italian and Chinese people I think you should think before calling someone of ignorant. I love Chinese people and I Even studied at the University. So I think you should think twice before saying something stupid. Here in the U.K the Chinese community is big and I love it in anyway I was been rude to her but happy for her that she can talk a different language too.
@@ummabdulrahmaan8827 Boa tarde, if you are in fact well-educated and not ignorant, I believe you'd take interest in reading up on the following subjects: micro-aggressions, white fragility (even if you're not white, fellow like you should be able to connect the dots in this situation) and intersectional feminism (or how race and gender wind up influencing your behavior). It's a lot, but I figure if you have an academic background, you wouldn't mind picking up a few articles on history, sociology, psychology and even philosophy. Feel free to hit me up to discuss these.
Jian Wang I meant I got a LEA degree with include Chinese Spanish and English. I love Chinese people and Chinese drama.
I really respect East Asians, they came with nothing to the uk and managed to make it out. Big respect to them👌🏾
A. Jamal
So did South Asians.
all asian make it everywhere in the world. Give us 2 or 3 generation and we are on top.
true! I have to admit most of the East Asians (chinese, japanese etc.) are the most hardworking people in the world
@@dangda-ww7de I'm second generation and I have no idea what to do w my life tbh, tell me how yall made it😢
Im viet in cali have been making it thru hard work, even now i work when people sleep,i sleep when people work.@@isabellahu4606
I think our reputation for hard working and 'eat bitter' has definitely gained respect and lessened the racism towards us over the years. It's a pity that childish prank calls still happens but thankfully only once in a blue moon! :D
How often with prank orders come in? Because that would piss me right off if I had a food business someone called in a false order
fwaddar haha so true, its the ethnic groups that work the hardest!
@@fwaddar
TROLL
LOL
I lived in Guangzhou for 2 years and gained a new respect for Chinese people. They are so hard working and even though they are small in build they can carry washing machine easier than a big burly man, always surprised me 😱
RespectOthers 丨
There is a chinese takeaway at Hundvåg in Stavanger in Norway were I live wich have been here for decades. The guy running that shop even has his own facebook page that someone made just for fun. The facebook page is just meant out of respect and apreaciation for his hard work. He is kinda like a little local celebrity here.
That’s awesome, credit given where it’s due
Whats the name of his FB page?
Norway. Are you all still a thing. I thought Islam are u up
@@videosofinterest9227 nah thats America with Donny Muppet talking shit
Off topic but we visited Stavanger last year and its so beautiful!
Chinese people with English accents is awesome
I have a couple friends that are of Chinese descent that grew up Aussie, it's an awesome accent to lol
Kendall Casperson you should watch the documentary of Chinese in the southern United States, theyre 3rd generation rn if I’m not mistaken
Why?
Because they eat dogs
@@vitadude5004 stay ignorant, vengeful and hate more. You'll get very far in life.
Once when I was visiting my sister in the UK we went to Cornwall and at some point popped into a Chinese takeaway in some random small town and the people there were so obviously happy to see other Chinese people it's literally the only time in my life I've been truly sorry I can't speak Mandarin.
This actually happened to me once when i was travelling from London up to Alton Tower theme park, we stopped at a Chinese takeaway a few miles away to get some food and they were so happy to see us, they even gave us free dishes. They must feel it very hard to integrate with the people in the community, it can get lonely.
Remember having to work in a takeaway shop when I was younger (i came to the UK when I was 14 with VERY limited English), I had faced all discrimination mentioned in the video, I speak with a Cantonese accent even now but my students respect me regardless (but working in a takeaway you are automatically degraded as a third class citizen) . No weekends off, no social life, school is my last resort, and education changed my life entirely. Being the oldest child and the only person who can speak English was tough, I was scared and terrified when the phone rings because I don’t know what the customer is gonna be like, now I’m a science teacher and have the bravery to speak in front of 30 kids in the classroom.
Well done!
Wow well done! You have come a long way and you should be very proud of that 😊
Good for you ! :)
Hats off to you!
Respect!
I worked in a Chinese place as a teen. I'm white. I have de-veined endless shrimp, peeled mountains of shallots, and made countless wontons and dumplings. I loved it. They sucked me right into the family and treated me as if they'd bred me. Suddenly I had Chinese grandparents! I loved them so much! They spoiled me rotten, scolded me, fed me, and despaired over my choice of a non-Chinese boyfriend. I rarely saw one little family member though, the daughter of the house, because it's a Thing here in my area of the US to send your children back to Taiwan to be cared for by family. Be glad your parents kept you with them. I never could understand why meimei had to live in Taiwan when between us, we could have figured out a way to care for her at home. The whole place lost its spark when she wasn't there. **I don't mean to imply that I shared the experience of Chinese Takeaway kids - I always had a home with my real family, but I can relate to many of the good aspects.
The girl on the far left is so lovely and bubbly. I like the way she talks and laughs, i felt good watching her and she really made my day.
I have much respect for families like this, they are so hard working. My local takeaway has their daughter ring your order up, and she knows what she's doing
You respect child labour? Okay...
@@Gerald69420 You should know that it is ingrained in Chinese culture that kids are part of family and are expected to help their family out, they are more important than friends, it is part of obedience, filial piety, it is at its core of Chinese philosophy of confucianism. It doesn't mean the parents don't love the children; children at takeaways do get taken care of, they don't do dangerous work, they don't work long hours and they are sent to school as they should. The same way that Chinese parents expect excellent school performance of their children, sometimes with strict discipline, it is for the honour of the family but also for their own sake, so that they can have a better future than they do; not working long hours in the smoke and oil for little money.
@@Gerald69420 well I guess when I look up the word freeloader in the dictionary, your picture will be next to the word.
Gerry Freeman Yes. These kids are better off for working. Will do better in life than someone with inferior work ethic
Gerry Freeman not all have privilege like you do.
I’m a takeaway kid! It’s so difficult because I grew up so sheltered and never really having time for friends because I was always at the restaurant and it was hard in other ways, but ultimately I’m thankful for the experience. Because I know that my mother worked her ass off from 9 to 11 at night making sure all of her 6 kids were fed and clothed and that no matter how tired I was, she was 2x more tired but never gave up.
Well im the kid that grew up in a Chinese restaurant in Ireland. Hats off to the people that sacrifice their life and shine on a clear pathway for us generations.
omg same I live in Ireland too!
I'm first generation Greek/Australian and your story resonates with all off us who are children of migrants from all ethnicities. The braves people in the world and the ones that have changes the world are people like my grandparents and your parents that started with nothing in new lands. You are, we are has inherited their legacy stand tall and proud. Well done to you all, you are the future
I grew up in a Japanese takeaway in Australia. It wasn't a pleasant' childhood for me - I had to walk to the shop after school for 7km on my own since I was about 8, my school was in a dodgy area, I got scolded for fracturing my arm after tripping over trying to walk briskly away from some drunken aboriginal ppl who scared me, then once I got to the shop I had to wash dishes, clear tables, mop floors and anything else I could at the age I was which of course progressed to more things as I got older, I was never given time out to do my homework, I had to work Saturdays and school holidays as well, basically any spare time I had I was made to work so I had no time for a social life. Sundays we were closed thank goodness cos I was always so tired and stressed by the end of the week.
On top of that my father had a violent streak and every time we were busy and things got missed or whatever he was physically abusive to my mother and I, often prodding us with his sharp knives or kicking us in front of customers. A lot of Japanese customers would think we were Chinese running a Japanese takeaway so they would freely say things like "It's so expensive" out loud which pissed my dad off and once he ran after one Japanese guy and decked him in the nose and got sued for it.
It was a really tiring, stressful and unpleasant time for me and I resented my father for a very long time. Even after my mother got breast cancer in 1995 and had a mascectomy he made her go straight back to work only a few months after and she eventually died of a different cancer 6yrs later. I say stress killed her and she was happy to get out of that life cos she didn't put up a fight. All of the above lead me to suffering deep Depression/Anxiety and anger I carried for so long and it took me many many years of therapies to recover. I can no longer work as I was already burnt out by age 25 but fortunately I am now blessed with a wonderful husband who lets me rest and looks after me well.
It's a tough life being a "takeaway kid".
Yukie From Oz I find your story moving and thank you for sharing. I’m sorry for what your mom and yourself had gone through. It sounded hellish and I’m glad you are having a happy life now. Your dad must have been in a very bad place emotionally himself all those years ago to have taken out his frustration on his family. I hope things are better for him now as well.
@@calliewong1850 Thank you for your kind words :)
Wow, what a story. glad you escaped that life and things are looking up.
Yukie From Oz I had to try my hardest to break down crying while reading your story. Even now my nose is stinging and I have tears coming down my face. That is awful. I am so, so sorry you had to go through that. I had an okay childhood-not easy, I am one of ten children and my youngest brother died very unexpectedly was I was 11 nearly 12. He looked exactly like me and my mother had some kind of nervous breakdown and would tell me she didn’t understand why he died and I was alive, and that she wished I had died instead. So that really sucked. But my parents were good providers and my Dad loved my Mother so much. I remember even as a child they would always hug and kiss all the time and when they ate dinner they would hold hands with each other. They were friends as children and began dating when my Dad was 15 and my Mom was 13. My Mom just died two months ago and although we had a horrible relationship for at least 10 years after my brothers death, I decided I needed to forgive her to move on with my life. For about ten years I travelled with her on vacations at least once or twice a year (I had lots of airline miles from my work) and when my children were born I would bring them too. My husband didn’t mind-he understood that I needed this quality time with my mother. Now that she is gone I cannot tell you how much I cherish those memories and am so thankful I tried so hard to mend our relationship. Even to the end she could be very difficult at times but I developed a patience and understanding as an adult that I did not have as a child.
Your story is so sad. I'm glad you're living much better now. It's sad because I think it was your father that really mistreated you. From watching the video it felt like their parents made them work hard but were kind to them too.
My dad owned a chip shop as I was growing up. Can remember sat finishing off the potatoes after they had been tumbled. Was very tedious. I havw a lot of good memories from Bonding with my dad through helping in the back of the shop. On occasions he would let me serve and it made me so happy.
There's nothing better than just spending time with your loved ones even if it's doing something difficult.
I like to see a story for that. English family owning fish and chip shop. I'm based in London so hardly English families owning fish and chip shop but when i went to few towns up north , i see English teenagers with their family working at fish and chip shops.
@@dWong1991 Yes I have some fond memories growing up. I am from up north. Strange how different parts of the country is.
+Peter Feng
It depends where. I've seen a few and I've grown up in London too.
@@hannah60000 even though its such a small country its amazing how different areas differ.
The girl who worked at my local was gorgeous..... I married her and now we have a half Chinese half English little girl. 🤗
Was the girl who worked at your local takeout spot also from China?
Nina N maybe that’s not going to be her culture but what her passport will say ;) Also, you’re not waiting for your child to name itself, so what’s the problem doing the same thing with nativities?
Livin the dream
@@npineapple3077 chill out with the desperate victim fetish
Nina N oh god
Definitely a way of life I never thought of, even though I've seen young people in takeaways. Thanks for sharing your stories
The scary part is that this is considered easy by alot of people. And life is getting harder with each day.
Ayyy I cried watching this. I'm Chinese and I grew up in China. I was lucky to be born after the 90s; China was at the peak of its economic boom; so I didn't really have a rough childhood. Somehow I can sympathize with them because my parents worked really hard too. I felt so emotional. Hugs and love from China :))
same! which province are you from?
Kevin Wang Fujian, here.
How is your name Chris if you really are from china
Similar experiences across Europe, guess I am a Chinese takeaway kid of Switzerland :')
wow switzerland
@Nolwenn Appelbaum Bald hoffentli :)
Someone told me that Chinese food is not popular in Switzerland
@@DC-bm3ul hi, what kind of Chinese food you serve? Hong Kong Cantonese?
@ Debby Chau I am also a Chinese from Switzerland with a similar experience! :)
I used to have a huge crush on the teen girl my age that took orders at the front of our local chinese takeaway. Always so friendly 💕💕
what chinese restaurants are you going to because they're always so rude as fuck i stopped going to all of them., plus the food always tastes old and like shit
I’m glad the BBC are highlighting this visible minority. We’ve made such a contribution over many decades but yet our existence seems to be overshadowed by other BEM groups. It would be good to focus more on the Hong Kong-British community as they have pretty much shaped the Chinese (Cantonese-speaking) population in the UK...
I completely agree :)
My textbooks used to be smell of Chinese food. My maths teacher once came into my shop, while I was doing my maths homework! It was so embarrassing...
xD lol - if I were that maths teacher I would have laughed my ass off and say "good that you are doing that - it's gonna be on the test tomorrow!"
My parents ran a b&b and one summer we had a teacher stay for a week while he was looking for a place. Fast forward to September and he is my new eng teacher. 😫
What no comment from math teacher about oh you the kid who actually gets why Bobby bought 50 sticks of butter/ watermelons. Lol
Why would you be embarassed? My Teacher once told US in class, never be embarassed if you are HELPING your parents at home Or your family business because that means its for your own good
Why is it embarrassing? Be proud you were actually doing homework! Oh I used to read read read at the empty table in the corner of the restaurant, when it got too busy would then do my homework upstairs (as they rented upstairs to live in).
I grew up in my parents restaurant in the island of Trinidad...... I went throught the same things except delivery. this vid brought literal tears to my eyes... I grew up with my sister in that place .. omg 😢😭 sweet memories
"I'm not from China, I'm from Bromley" same g, same
I feel like Asians are always underrated even though we are a lot better than what ppl think. We don't chit chat, we work hard and the cultures of China and India are the roots of the world.
Hands down to all the nail salons run by the Vietnamese, best instant noodle Indomie by the Indonesian, K-drama and K-pop by the Korean, world leading technology by the Japanese and so on. You tell me more.
Have some RESPECT for my fellow Asians 'cuz we deserve it. Period.
Sailee Ivic Yes !!!
YES!!!
"what people think" who? the savages?
This is me! Doing my homework in the back, serving customers on Fridays and Saturdays (always the busiest)
where are you now？how is that affect you on you growing up？I do not want my child grow up in the Europe...but seems I needs to work here for a while.....
Relatable
@Andrew W no too naive.the enviromemt can nor guarantee a advanced level classical chinese ability and without wisdom and not smart there is no future.
@Andrew W This documentary just misleads the public again. The immigrants pay the tax as the other British, so their children deserve the equal education chance and protection. It's the government's fault to let these immigrants suffer so much and get no education in the childhood, which is the typical tragedy under the double standard of British government
Woooorrrdddd, that was me throughout high school up to junior year of college!
Great video need more British- Chinese stories in mainstream media especially the BBC
This story is so relatable to me; though, we immigrated to the US instead of the Uk. My mom was a young widow and I started working at the business when I was 10. We didn't get any prank calls, but growing up I didn't have a lot of friends because I was working almost every day after school and on the weekends. We had a regular customer who was an avid fisherman, and every time he caught some fish he would bring them to the business. My mom would cook his favorite food in exchange for the fish. My mom instilled in me the value of hard work and delayed gratification.
Hi, I think you might also enjoy watching a Jensen tung video. Yesterday youtube recommended me 'I Tried ONLY Speaking Cantonese in HONG KONG - Travel Vlog Before the Protests (ABC在香港)' Also lots of commenters were sharing their own life stories growing up in the West. It made me recall watched this BBC documentary awhile ago. 😊
I’m 11 years old and i work in my parent’s takeaway.This video just gives me so much nostalgia.
They missed the opportunity to say the BBC reporting on BBC (British Born Chinese) takeaway kids. But on a more serious note, I really relate to my parents working so much harder than me, yet I earned more than what they made combined on my first job as an university graduate, even taking into account inflation. I am glad my mum was able to take her stand, and reported any troubles from racism (if it's serious enough) to the police and won in court.
They aren’t British born though it says in the video.
But they’re not British born
Nah, your parents don't want you to know they actually make much more... So you feel better. Asians
Respect to all the immigrant Chinese and their children, fantastic work ethic and values adding to the British culture in a positive way so lucky.
I was a kid who grew up in a Chinese takeaway and i still kinda am. My parents own a Chinese takeaway and they work nearly everyday and i feel so grateful as they really want me to do well in the future. I often help packing up delivery and serve the foods. There are times where there are rude racist customers however, it doesn't hold us back and we keep on working.
Endless respect for Chinese people, nothing but pleasant experiences with them. Respect from roi🇮🇪
HOW? How can you not love an admire Chinese people?... hard working, kind, yes - avoiding confrontations and wars (which had cost them tens of millions of lives). Maybe I’m a bit biased because my wife is of mixed race - Spanish/Chinese and I also work a lot with China which is really lovely working with friendly and extremely smart people.
The food is just a bonus 🇨🇳 🇬🇧
Btw - amazing short(too short...) film
Have u heard about what they r doing to uighyir in china..Tibet? ?Google it
I don't see how avoiding confratation is good if ur faced with them....8:00 onwards sums it up.
z2t who’s “they”? I don’t think the PRC represents me as an individual. I’m sure neither does Teresa May represents the British people nor Trump represents all Americans, otherwise you might as well say all Americans wants to build a wall. I try to stay humble and non-confrontational. But it’s not like that means anything to you because you seem to only focus on Tibet and a political party. Distinguish the difference between people and government. “They” are not the same.
Chingy it’s very true. I only know Chinese individuals. And the vast majority are very nice and intelligent.
So are Japanese (in general). And Japan had slaughtered millions!!! Of Chinese civilians. Extremely sad and heartbreaking.
But when I lived in Tokyo, I enjoyed speaking with the locals and also understood that most Japanese will do whatever the boss tells them to do.
Are all Germans bad? Definitely not. But they had a Satan as a leader.
@@z2t942 The population of Tibetans and Uighurs grows more than Han Chinese since PRC came to power. But where are Indians?
Thank you thank you! As a 'takeaway kid' I relate to all of this. It's a really specific experience that very few people fully understand and this video captures it perfectly! Thank you!
I have a lot of respect for learning new things about different people who lead different childhoods and this is another one I enjoyed learning about. Opens my eyes and makes me realize not everyone grows up the same way. We all had challenges that our families faced for different reasons. Thanks for opening my eyes and broadening my mind to new stories!
The stories they told made me laugh, cry, smile. There is so much depth and pain in feeling like you dont belong in a place that you have lived your whole life.
My parents were also immigrants and I just didn’t understand how hard it was until I moved to another country for school (CA to Europe). I too have a new found appreciation for the hardships my family has experienced.
Thanks takeaway kids.
This is my childhood working in a Pakistani catering business also ... so similar ... my childhood has given me a phenomenal work ethic when I want ... however I am a bit burnt out after working since I was 12 years old !!
Zahida Khan Good because you know what later on in life you Will have back up,if you think of putting up your own business Or taking up the business from your parents
Yes Its great to have that work ethic and also know how to run a hospitality business after being raised up in one! I can relate to that. Will be my backup if my current career path doesn’t work out, people always need to eat. And I love food.
Wow, thanks for the upload. Really bring back memories! Tons and tons of memories.
Oh? Are you one of the takeaway kid?
@@billylai6 i was a TA kid in the 80s, but not one of the ones on this vid.
@@mariacheung647 You say 'memories' like they're a positive thing? Didn't you just end up being in a western country working in third world conditions with your dirt poor parents etc.... how can that possibly be a great memory? I grew up in a rich family, definitely good times haha
Gerry Freeman They dont have to be great memories but these stories are relatable for others. Hardships and experiences like these made me who I am today. More willing to helping a hand out, appreciative for the gifts I receive. Thankful things I get and earned even though it was not all too much. A bowl of rice tasted much better after a day of work. But then again a vacation or time off to spend on other things was a rare occasion 🤷🏻♂️
@@dakkoreaan So in short: not a great experience but your parents gave you a bowl of plain rice which tasted good because of the child labour, long hours and lack of any other food available. My family went skiing and around the Caribbean during the holidays whilst you were cooking chips and washing pans lol
You are not forgotten or ignored. The hard work is very appreciated 💜
I’m white, grew up in an Asian upcoming neighborhood. Loved my Asian friends so so much. XOXO
Thank you for your stories, I was very touched. You are the best gift a parent could ever get...grateful, respectful children. They did very, very well .
This was so enlightening, I have so much respect these families!
Ahhh this short story brought a tear to my eye as a fellow takeaway kid!! I used to really hate working at the takeaway when I was younger but now I respect my parents so much and they worked so hard to give me the life that I lead now, to make sure I was well educated and could afford all the hobbies I did when I was younger and discovered what I loved doing so now I can pour my own money into doing those things!
I remember the racist and rude customers though, I'm like, did it make you feel big? Shouting at a 10 year old child? It really upset me and made me feel scared but it probably made me tougher now because I take no shit from people now. It's true that it made me a lot more independent also, as I was home alone every evening. I literally have no problems being in my own space but I do wonder if this was the cause of my introverted lifestyle where I get tired out if I'm in social situations for too long...
Me too....I guess all children of Chinese migrants over the world can relate
🙏🤗😘
@Albert Lima Lima Haha, I KNOW! I'm like, aren't you here to buy food from us...? They should be lucky we didn't like spit in their food or something LOL
i am from india and i was alone at night a lot. i feel introverted as well growing up indian restaurant in chicago
some person i support you. Punch those racists.
I am a takeaway kid from Brooklyn, NY. Worked in the restaurant since the age of 9 or 10. Even though I am on a different continent, it is AMAZING that we have SAME stories. I remember some of order number or price of dishes, my burn story, what I hated to do the most at the restaurant, prank phone calls, eating the incorrect orders, customers helping me with homework, dealing with racism (including asking my family if we eat dog or customers trying to order dog), missing out on social life...
Wasn’t easy for a child, we had to grow up quickly. Learned how to juggle full time schooling with full time or part time job at a young age. This experience has made me stronger and got me where I am today. 🙏
Thank you for this. You’ve reminded me we all are precious people & we all have stories. I really appreciate your parents hard work and examples. Thanks to each of you sharing your stories. 🌸💜🌸
The bullying and the attitudes and sacrifices breaks my heart. I wasn't a takeaway child myself, but before my cousins were old enough to help in their parents' restaurants, my mom and I helped on my Friday nights and weekends so I had a milder version of this experience. My mom is even there helping as I type this, as she does every Friday night and weekend after her regular job. My parents' siblings all have accents as first generation immigrants (but to Canada, not the UK) and it's disgusting they can still be seen as a farce in a country where they've worked so hard and lived in for so long. And it is true that it's very culturally isolating.
I have a friend whose parents own another shop too, and that shop is open 24 hours between two couples in the family and some senior-aged Chinese hired help. The work hours are insane, and if there's an extra curricular for their kids, the parents would sooner forgo sleep than business or their child's special moment. Now that we're older and understand better, despite how much we appreciate all our parents have done to give us everything we have, we can see how this sort of work ethic has aged them over the years now that they're reaching the age many other cultures would settle down and retire into their golden years.
I can completely relate to this! I worked in my parents take away from an early age from the early eighties and will always be eternally grateful for the all the hard work, long hours and hardships they went through to give me the best possible start in life.
Story of my life!! Honestly I don’t regret anything! I have so much respect for my family!! :)))
Jessica amen! I wouldn’t change anything about it! I love my fam! You know working in the business really shows you a lot about life, and plus who doesn’t love hiding in the corner and scaring customers?
What a legend!!!!!! Honestly people don’t understand the struggle!!!!
Wow, that was really touching. Makes you look at takeaway shops differently. Cld watch a full hr doc on this. Great job!
Love these hard working chinese people.. I have worked as a delivery driver in Uk previously,I have seen them closely and I give full of respect ! They always were treated me well (unlike most of the brits) it was never an issue ,where I am coming from for them...
Great nation! Thanks for the good memories dear chinese friends.I will never forget all the good impressions that I have got.
What an interesting video concept!
So glad you liked it
Thank you so much for this, brings back so many nostalgic feelings ♥️
This video was really relatable and trip back down memory lane.
I love my local Chinese Takeaway. They cook us bespoke menus- no sugar, no salt, no msg but lots of fresh chillies , great vegetables and tofu. The takeaways are always so generous, and as you can see in the BBC video, they fill up the containers to mountains with lots of ingredients. Great value, super hot delicious food of the gods.
bless them all!
I am ethnical Norwegian, but I have spent three years in the back of a Chinese takeaway, loved it :D
Mad respect, when my family first came to Louisiana I was 1 and there was this Chinese restaurant that just opened and for 19 Years my family and I will go there for special occasions or for just a treat practically grew up with those kind people was sad when they closed down
i feel ya man my local fish n chips shop owner has seen me as a 5 yr old and still sees me often at 13 ordering food
Very touching....gave me a look at the “childs’” POV...my husband is a chef so I understand it as a wife...now I have a new understanding from another view...great video! 👍🏻❤️
I've started learning Mandarin in the 7th Grade in Middle School. Since then, I've fallen in love with the language, the culture, the people, and the entire country.
Furthermore, I've discovered China's 56 ethnic groups. The first time I found out about this, I was extremely excited. Seeing so many ethnic groups native to one country, each with their own languages, genetic background, and cultures. Sino-Tibetan, Tai, Tibeto-Burmese, Miao-Yao, Turkic, Mongolic, Tungusic, Korean, Malayo-Polynesian, Mon-Khmer, Vietnamese, Indo-Iranian, and Russian. So many different languages, and so many different peoples native to the same country.
Another thing that fascinates me about China is its diversity in landscapes. Vast grasslands and steppes and Siberian forests in the North, barren deserts in the West, fertile land and beautiful coastlines in the East, and titanic mountains and lush, verdant, pristine tropical rainforests in the South.
As my love for China began, I began to fall in love for the languages and cultures of other countries worldwide, especially in East Asia, where my most favorite cultural sphere, the Sinosphere, predominates, as China's culture and language is my most favorite. Thus, I also fell in love with the other countries who are a part of this cultural sphere. Countries whose cultures are influenced from that of China: Vietnam, Korea, and Japan.
我喜欢世界的文化和语言。我特别喜欢东亚的文化和语言、特别是中国的。我爱你、中国。从美国的问候! ❤🇨🇳🇺🇸
Nicolas Goldring the truth is that a lot of the original immigrants are not from China, but places like HongKong, where mandarin is not the mother tongue. Cantonese food is also not like food from other parts of China. Many Chinese from Chinese-populated countries outside of China do not like China and do not like being called “Chinese” as per their nationality, though they might not mind you referring to their race as such.
News Reader Well, I for one don’t mind! I find others thoughts and feelings really interesting! If you aren’t interested, no one is forcing you to read.
Nicolas Goldring Nicholas, I don’t know how old you are, but have you travelled yet to China? I have never been but I would love to go. My sister studied Chinese at the Beijing Language Institute, and ended up teaching English in Taiwan for three years. I regret so much not being able to visit her when she was both in China and Taiwan. I am a few years older than her and ended up getting the job of my dreams, but it was super demanding. I actually accumulated several years of vacation because I was so busy at work I truly could not take time off and fly over to Asia. I figured she would be there for many years, but alas, no. She came back to the States due to some health issues and never was able to move back. So sad.
@@maryannebrown2385 Hey! Yes, I've travelled to China two summers ago with a school group. This year, I'm 18 years old and I'm planning to make a return trip there again. I've been really fascinated by my time there, as it was the first time traveling outside the country. Let me tell you something. When you find the time to travel to China, be prepared for the enormous contrast between your homeland and China. It's as if you are entering another world. It's amazing. I hope you can find the opportunity to travel to this amazing country someday to see how truly fantastic it is with your own eyes. The culture, the language, the people. It's such a great country.
@@nicolasgoldring7128 Gonna be a very useful language to know as in the coming decades Mandarin and the remnimbe will likely replace or at least rival English and the dollar in global influence.
An incredible tribute to their parents and how hard they worked and still raised excellent kids. How could anyone be rude to any family run business like this. Very much enjoyed the video and made me a little misty eyed.
i love this!! hearing the stories about their parents struggles and work ethic really inspired me
This is so relatable. It has brought back so many memories that I've forgotten - given that the times have changed. Thanks so much for uploading this :)
Pandan Rcake so glad you enjoyed it. Elaine is the person to thank, it's her story and she put it all together.
+BBC Stories This story is not particularly accurate - it does not represent or give a true picture of most of the Chinese at that time. The truth is most Chinese face EXTREME racism, often violent, in the early years! And to be honest, It still happy today! Most racist white english still harper racist views today, they just hide it. Do a REAL story on what it is REALLY like, otherwise its almost like fake news!
@@TheAbbosi What is it really like?
growing up as one of the restaurant kid is a story that can be really universalized (especially among Asians) but also so individualistic too. I remember being cussed and yelled at over the phone because our containers weren’t microwave-safe, or that one of our dishes included vegetables despite most of our dishes have vegetable (with it being listed on the menu).
I hated growing up in such an environment because it meant that on Friday nights when my friends were at football games I was behind a counter answering phones and waiting tables; but honestly though, I don’t think I would trade the experiences I learned from balancing the till/cash register to instantly smile at customers despite just bawling my eyes out a minute ago because a customer had just cussed at and harassed me.
The parents who own these businesses really do sacrifice the most and I think it only pushes one to work harder so that their parents’ hard work wouldn’t go to waste
Thank you so much for doing this video. I couldn't be more relatable!
Reduced me to tears when they spoke about not being able to see their parents. Related to that 100%
British to a Chinese: Could I order a dog?
If I was Chinese, I would say...
Chinese to a British: I hear a dog barking.
Racism is still a issue in the U.K.
This has to be stopped!
Hats off to these people... Great video concept!
Racism against white people is a thing too
De Brute ohmygod did you really come on this video just to comment that
@@cc-rd4sw No I watched the video then saw the comment, the same thing you did I imagine???? Do you have a point?
Thank you so much!!! That has tickled me and I'm using it! Hahaha
@@Sothpawman ba-bammmm..best reply EVER
Chinese people are working very hard for them family
*their family
This is amazing. First time I watched a video I could really relate to. I’m Filipino though. My family owns a restaurant and we lived in a little room above it. I grew up in the restaurant basically. I did my homework on the dinner tables. I ran the cash register at age 10 and started waiting tables at age 12. There were no day offs, my parents would get mad when we didn’t help. I’m grateful for the experience. It was very humbling. And yes, I did get a first taste of all the good foods in the kitchen. Our cooks practically raised me! Thank you for this! ☺️
Shout out to all the Brit-Asians!! I'm half Chinese and half Bengali, so you could imagine the takeaway lifestyle I had as a child😂
Thank our parents and older generations for trying to give us a better life over here.
Growing up very British, we tend to lose touch to our own culture, and I hope one day you pay homage back home.
Nice to see a video about this, makes me proud to be part of a community that many people won't get!!
Damn, as a British Bangladeshi I've never heard of someone who's half Chinese and half Bengali before. Such a cool unique mix of cultures.
Sheesh, this really hits home! I hope that sacrifice inspires us to create some positive change in the world.
Thank you for highlighting what was very much part of my childhood. The main thing it taught me was that I would never allow my children to have to go through what we had to.
Love this! I’ve always wondered about my local takeaway back home when the then 10yearold daughter would take my order for me(: Great video
Lole Wiki thank you so much
Chinese people are so good......
Hard working, sincere,kind people.
That was a very interesting piece. Respect to you all and your parents.
The stories and experiences recounted in this video are exactly the kind my sister and I had and reminded me of the loneliness we felt being 'takeaway kids.' Not going out to parties, doing homework/revision in between orders, peeling prawns, slicing mushrooms, chopping onions and chipping potatoes but nothing could compare to dealing with drunk morons, racist taunts and threats of physical violence. It was like the wild west in there at times on a Saturday night and I even had a bottle smashed on my head after a 'customer' refused to pay for his chips and curry sauce. My parents worked so hard and tried their best to protect us that it affected my dad's health. My sister and I had to step up and fill in for him until he died of cancer and we were forced to give up the business. They were tough years but boy, it toughened us up. Thanks to the BBC for telling these stories - I've never heard them reported anywhere else and I'm so glad I came across this!
Me too! One guy worked behind the counter and every time he turned round to put the order through, some bastard would smash a beer bottle over his head. He now wears a motorcycle helmet! No wonder!!
This was very good. I wish more people would watch this. So much respect.
Thank you for the great story Elaine! Please make it into series!
As Chinese watching this video brings tears to my eyes. I can relate to them. We Chinese are so unique.
I agree and I love you guys.Such a great hard working nation.
Unique? 1,400,000,000 is unique?!?!
@@ShanghaiGoat Unique in that they multiply like Mogwai, get water on a Chinese person and there will be 5 more an hour later. j/k
I don’t know why I have tears in my eyes when watching this. Not sure if I admire how the kids support the family even at a very young age or I am thinking that I feel sorry that they have no proper childhood and they bear the pressure on their shoulders because they love their family.
I am an Australian Born Chinese and grew up in a small country town firstly in a milk bar and grocery store business for the first 12 years of my life. My dad sold his milk bar business before two massive supermarkets came into town. I then grew up in a Chinese takeaway for the next part of my teenage years with my two brothers and one sister. My parents worked so hard 6 days a week to give us an education (boarding school), sending 3/4 to uni and to make sure he could live comfortably when he retired. Even though my dad left school at 16 years old, my dad’s goal in life was to be a self funded retiree by living off his investments, superannuation and own the cars of his dreams ... and he achieved all his goals.
My dad never wanted to rely on his children for money whatsoever. This story brings back so many memories ... I too would help on the weekends with whatever needed to be done from chopping vegetables, cutting meat, making spring rolls, sweeping the floor, vacuuming the carpets, taking phone orders, serving in the shop, using the cash register, lidding the food containers, putting orders together and even putting the rice on in the giant rice cooker. My dad was always a fair man with the most generous heart. We all received pocket money and he would always bank money into our bank accounts every single week. If we went roller skating or trampolining, we would never pay from our own pocket money the entrance fee ... he would always give us extra money. And when did he give us the money from the bank account he banked into? My parents gave us the money when got married 🥰. I never wasted this money using it to help pay for the wedding and my new home.
Weekdays, we would always stay at home and do our homework with our grandma at home. Mum would still run us to swimming, piano lessons and girl guides / scout group. Therefore, we still had a balanced life.
Thank you for sharing this story.
That was a unique insight in a world we've practically all visited,
but never knew or imagined the reality behind these takeaways.
Very good story!
I'm Chinese in mainland China. I used to envy kids grew up in English-speaking countries when I was a kid, coz I thought they did not need to struggle to learn English in school. Maybe life is not so easy everywhere, especially as immigrants. Thanks for sharing.
Language acquisition is difficult in the other direction for foreign born Chinese. That is, ABC, BBC, CBC struggle to learn any form of Chinese since both spoken and written Chinese is so different from any alphabetic based language.
Lived my whole life in the NYC chinese takeaway restaurant, so definitely grew alot by growing up there. Started peeling shrimps, cutting veggies around 6 because I wanted to help. Eventually my mom was like alright you take on the front(working the fryer, grill, packing orders, etc) and would start answering the phones or taking orders from customers as soon as I knew how to write fast at 8. Once I hit middle school, thats when I started working full on, fri-sunday. Started making deliveries once I knew how to drive.
Thank you so much for this video, brought back so many fond and emotional memories :3
And nobody reported to the authority for child labor?
What a wonderful, wonderful report. Thank you all for your stories, and thanks to all of you at the BBC for producing this piece!
This was truly motivating and inspiring to learn about and I feel touched as a human being to learn about this motivating story and lives of other around me.