Life in London as a Chinese Immigrant | Cantonese Vlog

Living and working in London as a Chinese immigrant: An interview with my dad about what life was like when he moved to England in 1991 from working in Chinatown on the third day of living in the city to opening his first takeaway in the South Coast of England.
This video was inspired by BBC's A Very British History: The British Chinese - a documentary I had the opportunity of being a presenter for. In the episode, I interviewed my dad and wanted to share an extended part of it with you guys. Not only does it help me practice my Cantonese but I love being able to treasure these stories and memories via video to watch back throughout the years!
A big thank you to my dad for being our Chinese teacher for this Cantonese vlog! Many parents, like mine, have sacrificed a lot and worked SO hard in order to put a roof over our heads, food in our tummies and for us to have an education and greater quality of life. This video is one way of giving thanks to them by celebrating these stories and hardships. Will never take this for granted.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
LAST VIDEO:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
23 Things You MUST Eat in London (when we can travel again) | London Food Tour
• 23 Things You MUST Eat...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Daily updates on Instagram
/ dejashuu
Find me on Twitter
/ dejashu
Find me on Facebook
/ dejashu
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
WHAT I USE TO FILM MY VIDEOS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Panasonic GH5 with 12-60mm Leica Lens: amzn.to/3fO4GVJ
iPhone 11 Pro Max (512GB): amzn.to/2WsyXlp
Canon G7X MK III: amzn.to/2WviuNw
GoPro Hero 8: amzn.to/2LrQO5L
Rode Wireless GO mic: amzn.to/2T4Xpay
Rode VideoMicro mic: amzn.to/3bqTsD9
128GB SD Card: amzn.to/2Llylro
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
MUSIC IN MY VIDEOS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Like the songs in the video? It's all thanks to these guys! Very excited to say that I'm an ambassador for Musicbed. They provide a constantly updated roster of music filled with emerging artists, indie bands and incredible composers to carry out my visuals with the perfect soundtrack.
Sign up for a free 30 day trial to MusicBed
share.mscbd.fm/...
If you choose to sign up, the affiliate link means I will make a little commission from this to fund my dim sum and noodles addiction, at no extra cost to you!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ALL OTHER MUSIC
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A long time user of:
epidemicsounds.com
#london #britishbornchinese #cantonese #cantovlog #londonlife

[@dejashu]

Like and comment for more Cantonese vlogs and more videos with my dad! 😊🙌💛 🤗Time Stamps:⏲ 0:00 English introduction 1:44 Cantonese introduction 2:44 Interview with my dad BEGINS (Speaking Cantonese with English subtitles) 3:17 Moving to London and what it was like working there from the bottom 6:44 Starting his own takeaway and how it differs from working for a restaurant in Chinatown 7:32 Being a parent and why he was strict on our education 10:07 A message to his fans ahahaha (and MORE Chinese metaphors)

[@CantoneseCouple]

A Canto speaker with an English accent. Fascinating!!! 😀😀

[@dejashu]

Haha, thank you! 😅 Whenever I go to the states, Americans are always so fascinated that I have a British accent!

[@creedsacrifice1]

It's the Cantonese couple! Love you guys 💕

[@CantoneseCouple]

@@creedsacrifice1 Haha! Thank you!

[@staffordshire6266]

I'm Malaysian Chinese. Your dad's life philosophy is good and I'm so impressed with his cantonese idioms 成语. Nowadays not many Cantonese ppl can apply Cantonese idioms in their conversation. Really inspiring. We need to 传承 this good value.

[@lightontheceiling]

謝謝 Shu 爸爸! 您的經歷是多麽英國華人能夠身同感受，也包括我爸爸媽媽。我們這一代不是人人能跟Shu 一樣跟父母這樣談心底話，所以謝謝您們分享您們坦白的對話。這也鼓勵我們和父母多多聊天，瞭解我們小時候可能忽略的生活小節。期待下一部! Thank you Shu! And sorry to Papa Shu if he struggles with my dodgy Chinese!

[@dejashu]

非常感謝您寫此評論！我會發送給我爸爸睇！我大個女啊, 對父母辛辛苦苦做的工作有更大的感激! 他們為我和妹妹們犧牲很多！我想努力加油能夠讓我的父母感到驕傲. 希望您與父母的對話會給您留下美好的回憶! 對不起我寫的中文不算好，會問爸爸怎麼寫得更好! 🙏🏼🥰💛

[@dejashu]

P.S I hope that made sense! I wanted to say 馬夫 to mean my Cantonese wasn’t that great but wasn’t sure if those characters were the same words used in the slang and couldn’t find it online to confirm 😂😂 THANK YOU for such a wonderful comment! Going to send this to my dad in the morning for him to read - he’ll be so pleased and happy!!!

[@sx8909]

Shu great job Shu！ btw it is 馬虎

[@dejashu]

馬虎！ 知道！ 多謝!!！😊💛

[@maykey9]

When your dad said you and your sisters make him proud, I got sooooo emotional (typical Chinese where we don't usually express feelings openly haha)! Our parents really sacrificed a lot to make sure we have a better life, although we may not have realised it at the time. I remember working at my parents' takeaway and I couldn't see my friends or go to parties because I was always working but now I appreciate how much it has taught me about discipline and hard work :) Your dad is so cute and funny!!

[@stephen129]

This was my favourite video of yours in a while. You should definitely do a whole series talking to your Dad. As a BBC my parents had a similar experience moving to London.

[@dejashu]

Thank you, Stephen! It's one of my favourite videos too! Always lovely to meet more BBCs in London and to talk about these shared experiences growing up. Planning to film more of these interviews over the coming weeks! If you have any requests on topics or questions you may have, let me know!

[@stephen129]

@@dejashu Would be interesting to know how much he's enjoyed his life in the UK compared to China, or if he literally only did it to give his children a better life. Also his opinion on English people would be interesting and if he has any stories of racism or xenophobia.

[@tokkimerong]

I watched your documentary when it first came out and it was so relatable as with most immigrant families! I'm so happy to hear your fathers experience of coming to the UK from Guangzhou! It's the same with my mother as well! Proverbs/sayings are my favourite cantonese phrases 🤣 I would love to hear more from your dad too!! More episodes in cantonese please :) Even though my Cantonese isn't very good, I am very happy that we get to speak our mother tongue even as a BBC! Take care 🥰

[@dejashu]

Thank you so much for watching the documentary and for supporting these Cantonese vlogs! It’s incredible to learn more about our parent’s journeys moving from China to the UK, isn’t it?! Hahaha love the Cantonese phrases too as they’re always so clever 😂 had to ask my dad to send over the characters several times though 😅 He’ll be so pleased to hear he’s been requested to film more!! More Cantonese vlogs will be coming!! Hoping to interview some people once lockdown passes too ☺️

[@AviSandy]

Wow as an Indian married to a Chinese living in Germany I can relate to it soooo much. Thank you.

[@dejashu]

So many amazing cultures! What a blessing to have this life together ☺️ thank you!

[@lindaaw9912]

@John Buffalo I am 98 those counties had cities when you lived in celtic huts

[@plamgasps]

gosh your dad got me in tears again.... thanks for sharing Shu, he reminds me of my own father

[@nadesta3202]

"All parents will always want what's best for their children, but every parent will have their own ways of doing things.." :")

[@dejashu]

I loved this part too!!! Always go to my dad for life advice and hearing gems like these is exactly why!! 😊💛

[@RayRoberts]

I respect your father so much! The sacrifice he put into ensuring his family had the opportunity was so touching to hear. This made me well at a little bit towards the end, just hearing how proud and supportive he is. As a viewer, you don't need to know Cantonese to hear the absolute pride in his voice. I'm going to call my mama now 🥺

[@dejashu]

Aw Ray, thank you so much. Such a wonderful thing to say and it tugged at my heartstrings reading all of that - was trying not to cry at the end when I was on the phone! I hope you had a wonderful chat with your mama! 😊💛

[@BackpackingBananas]

Always blows my mind when you speak Cantonese. Loved the way you put this video together!

[@dejashu]

Won't be long until you start picking up some of these words! Thank you! Fun to mix it up! 😊

[@backyard9356]

Wow, your family is also from GZ! Have you been back to GZ? Your siblings can speak your parent's mother tongue which is really great! As I know, many kids born or raised in overseas can't speak Cantonese or Chinese anymore, which is so sad. If I have kid, I definitely would want my kid to be able to speak Cantonese too. Culture is our root, while language is the most important part of it. If one can't speak the language, one can't literally understand the culture.

[@illiniwu]

Thanks for putting up this video. I'm a US born Chinese. My Cantonese is terrible because my parents aren't much for talking, especially about our feelings! Your Cantonese is so good! I bet HK people think you are born and raised in HK! It''s sweet that your dad is so excited about helping with your videos.

[@adjusterchiaful]

Stumbled upon your vlog as I was surfing about the Chinese in London. I am very touched listening to your Dad recalling on how hard he worked in London to bring you & your sisters up. Chinese parents are normally strict but deep down they really love their kids.

[@gregorychoy372]

So good of you to share this excellent conversation. A big fan of your travel video even though my life experiences are similar to your dad. Keep up the good work!!!

[@TravelwithTasha393]

Thank you Shu, for sharing your family story of migrating to England. What he said about giving you and your sisters everything for you needed for school. That’s how my mom was with my sisters and I. She was a single parent and if we needed something for school she would give it to us immediately.

[@dejashu]

Thank you for sharing your story with me too, Natasha! Your mum sounds like she was such an incredible woman and a great figure to look up to with her strength and love. 💛Parents do so much for us and now that I'm an adult, I have even more respect and appreciation for everything they've done over the years!

[@jimbrenn8590]

I felt like I was intruding on a personal conversation between you and your father vice and informative interview. You did a great job!!

[@dejashu]

Aw, bless you. Spoke to dad beforehand about the interview and he was excited to be able to share these stories with everyone! Glad to be able to have these conversations with him to strengthen our bond too! Thank you for your kind words! 😊

[@younglee5736]

Woah, such a relatable video. Although my family came over much earlier, there are so many similarities in employment, experiences and attitude. A big thank you to your father for his open and interesting responses. I can only imagine how brave people are to make such a big leap to a foreign country and our acknowledgement of the sacrifices they made go some way to thanking them. Thank you too for 13 minutes of insightful entertainment!

[@cinthiachicas9607]

Thank you for sharing his story! Your dad is amazing. All immigrant parents that move to give their kids a better future and sacrifice so much to do so are amazing. I would love to hear more of his perspective.

[@dejashu]

Thank you, Cinthia! Amazing, indeed!!! We need to celebrate and honour these stories for generations to come - always remind myself that this life I have now wouldn't be possible without their sacrifices in the beginning! If you have any requests or topics you'd like to know more for the next interview, I'd love to know!

[@kellyting2368]

As a Chinese Londoner who can't speak Cantonese I like to watch ur vids to try to get better haha :) love the vids!

[@atsuko1422]

I’m really touched what your father was saying which showed how much he’s cared for his family. I look forward to watching and listening sequels😃

[@RayFiasco]

What a lovely video. Felt quite emotional because your Dad reminds me of my parents. Immigrants and even second generation parents work so hard to balance keeping you connected with your culture and equipping you to thrive in your new home. Such heroes...

[@felg240]

Your dad is so wise and articulate with his words! I've just started relearning Cantonese and am LOVING your Canto vlogs!! Can't wait for more awesome Canto content from you!! :)

[@christinee9168]

🥺🥺 your dad is the sweetest. Thank you for making Cantonese videos! I grew up speaking Cantonese, but I stopped learning it once I entered school. Now that I’m older, I really regret not learning the language completely... Anyways, I’d love for more videos with your dad!! I can recognize some words and can string along some of the sentences, but I’m definitely not fluent. Your videos are helping me pick up more words! Keep it up! :))

[@dejashu]

Thank you, Christine!! I'm not fluent either and have a lot of work to do when it comes to pronunciation so don't worry, we're all in this together and can help each other improve and pick up new words!! Let me know if you have any specific topics you'd like me to ask him for the next interview!! 😊💛

[@laydeesau84]

Thank you Shu for sharing this. These stories of sacrifice, adapting to a new culture, and providing for your children should enrich our understanding of the past and therefore can be passed on to your potential future children! As a daughter of an immigrant, I was getting emotional hearing how much guidance and sound advice your dad shared!

[@laydeesau84]

So yes I would watch another episode of your dad speaking in Cantonese with you (so I can tap into my rarely spoken first language too!)

[@nadesta3202]

this video really motivates me to study because my parents already gave 'everything' to me :") thank you for sharing

[@dejashu]

Thank you, Natasya! Glad this video helped - you've got this. Your parents are right behind you!! 😊💛

[@sxstrngsamurai13]

I'm the kid of a chinese immigrant in the states and every day I lament that I didn't pick up cantonese as a kid. Thanks for sharing this; it is always a joy to hear my mother tongue

[@gloriagwenyeechow6447]

Hello Shu- definitely more of these please. I think ppl can relate to the immigrant experience. My parents emigrated to the US from HK in the 1970s. They worked long hours 6 days a week. I am forever grateful for what they endured.

[@freyasvideos]

I really enjoyed this video. Thank you to your dad for speaking about his experiences, I really enjoyed listening to your conversation. Thank you for this video :)

[@bobbilynnsmith5146]

Yes, please make more videos with your Dad. He loves you and your sisters so much and he is proud of you. He went through a lot to give you a better life and you are a loving respectful daughter! Thanks for sharing.

[@dejashu]

Thank you for such a lovely comment, Bobbi Lynn! Hope to make more videos with my dad - he absolutely loved it 😂 he wanted to only speak for 15 minutes before his lunch but ended up chatting for over 45 minutes but didn’t want to make this video too long! Hope to be able to make my parents proud one day - will start by improving my Cantonese to better communicate with them on a deeper level! ☺️ Hope you and your family are all safe and well! Sending you lots of love x

[@agentlucerne]

Hey Shu. Thank you to you and your dad for sharing this. It is such a special thing hear his thoughts on his experiences. My parents migrated to NZ from the Philippines in the 1980s before I was born. I often find myself reflecting on the sacrifices they've made, so that I could have a comfortable life, and wouldn't have to make those same sacrifices myself. Had a bit of a happy cry hearing your dad's perspective on being a parent - it really struck me how much it echoes conversations I've had with my own mum and dad. And I totally agree about the importance of keeping our parents' languages alive in our everyday lives - it's part of how we can celebrate our cultures and help them thrive. Thank you once again to you both for sharing this with the world!

[@nuffinbutair]

My parents owned a takeaway in Brighton, it was nice watching this video and also the BBC documentary. We had a family friend who also opened a takeaway in Worthing back in the day. So yeah nice to see someone else with a very very very similar background

[@AndreaHeckler]

This was so touching! Thanks to you and your dad for sharing 💜

[@terencetee3880]

As a British Malaysian Chinese, i’m ever so grateful that there’s a video like that talking about what our parents experienced as first generation immigrants. My parents also ran a restaurant back in the day in Hampshire and hearing your dad talking about his experience has really reminded me of my parents and what i grew up hearing. Thank you for yet another incredible video Shu, can’t wait for more videos in the future (and possibly with your dad ahha am a huge fan x)

[@dejashu]

Thank you, Terence! I'll be sure to pass on your comment to my dad - he'll be so touched by what you've said. Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment this, it's really appreciated! It's comforting to know there's a big community of families, like yours and mine, around the UK and overseas so we can talk about these shared experiences growing up! Our parents certainly deserve all of our respect and so much love (even if we're rubbish at showing it verbally and outwardly at times)! Hope you're all well during this time! Let me know if you have any specific requests or questions to include in the next interview!! 😊💛

[@BillyHuynh94]

Thanks so much for sharing this, Shu! Viewer from California here! I've been using this quarantine time to strengthen my cantonese by watching vloggers including yourself. This video in particular made me emotional, though, because of the things your dad said and your reaction. I'm not the closest to my dad, but he would say the same things to me and I would feel the same way. Thank you for sharing and stay safe!

[@dejashu]

Thanks Billy! Hope you’re safe and healthy over in California! Sending you lots of love for your comment - I didn’t have the closest relationship with my dad growing up but have strengthened our bond over the years, particularly in my adult years. Understand it’s always really hard to voice these things out loud, especially coming from an Asian family, but each parent will have their own ways of expressing their love even if it’s through tough love or a bowl of cut fruit! Good luck with your Cantonese - practicing along with you! 💛

[@jasminechiu368]

Your father is so sweet and his words leave me with such a familiar tone. This kind of humble, work hard way of life, while clearly wanting the best for his children. Also I am absolutely blown away by your Cantonese! Mine is far more basic and I'm always too scared to practice. But watching you get through that in front of a public video is truly inspiring! Thank you and thank your dad for sharing his thoughts and stories - I would love to hear more. Loved learning some new metaphors as well!

[@edwinawong504]

So nice to hear your dad's story, it was very similar to my own parents' story moving to the Caribbean. It meant a lot to be able to see this kind of representation, I'd love to watch follow-up episodes with your dad!

[@lifeofmai5661]

It was a similar story for my parents coming to the UK in the 1990s. I didn’t meet another BBC until I started university / being in London and it has completely changed my life! Finding others to converse in Cantonese and even just eat the same traditional dishes with has been so heartwarming. Glad I have stumbled upon your channel for some more relatable content! 💛

[@dejashu]

Thank you, Mai! Fully agree with what you said about meeting other BBCs being such a heartwarming feeling - it’s like finding missing pieces of a puzzle and being able to have these shared experiences growing up/common interested/same taste in Canto songs and shows makes such a huge difference! Always here to chat about these things with you too! 🤗💛

[@Soph_79]

Your dad is so sweet! Please do more videos like that!

[@rohjong722]

Omg This is so precious!! I am doing a documentary about British born Chinese and immigrants for my dissertation and there’s so many stories are yet to discover! And also your videos have given me so much ideas for my dissertation! Thank you Shu!! 🥰

[@dejashu]

This is amazing to hear, thanks Ericka! Glad the videos have helped with the dissertation! Good luck with the documentary, it sounds ace!! 😊

[@michellelai241]

This was so lovely to watch!! My dad was near me when I was watching this and related to many of your dad's immigrant experiences, albeit in the states. Love listening to you speak in Canto because it helps me too haha 💜

[@LT3Katty]

Your dad is so sweet 😭 reminds me a lot of my dad and the way that he talks about providing for his kids, and moving to London at a similar age! I'm only half Chinese so I only ever heard Cantonese at home when my dad spoke to his siblings, and he never taught us more than a few words growing up, so I'm really envious that your dad put so much importance on you learning! I've had to learn from scratch, and even after years of effort I still can't understand this! 😂 but very grateful for you filming more Cantonese vlogs (it's actually how I found your channel originally)! I'd love more interviews with your dad, it's so lovely to listen to you chatting with him!

[@dejashu]

It's great you're making the effort to learn it from scratch and still interacting with Cantonese - I bet you're doing a lot better than you think! A lot of us here are also trying to improve as much as you can so know you've got a community behind you!! Your dad sounds amazing with the journey he went through in order to provide for his children and family! Impossible trying to put myself in their shoes and even imagine how hard it must have been - so much strength and resilience involved! More interviews to come! Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment! 😊

[@suejmaryoung]

That was a very interesting interview with your dad and when he came to London working very hard. My father came to Australia on a boat in the 1940s from China. Looking forward to more vlogs of your dad.

[@dejashu]

Thank you so much! He worked so hard - learned the value of hard work and money fro my parents! More vlogs to come ☺️ Oh wow!! That must have been such a difficult and turbulent journey - it’s incredible what our parents went through.

[@Viancqa]

Thank you for sharing this Shu ♡ truly relatable with all the Chinese metaphors and sayings. My dad didn't immigrate but he managed to 'send' me to study in the UK now and a lot of what your dad said there are similar to what my dad had said or would say, made me miss home hahaha! But pleaseee keep the video coming and hoping you and your family are keeping safe and healthy💖

[@dejashu]

Thank you, Viancqa! My dad has so many more Chinese metaphors to offer so no doubt he’ll be dishing them out loads in the next one 😂 whereabouts is home for you? Hope you’re able to see your dad when this is over!! Hope you and your family are safe as well - especially during this time!!

[@Viancqa]

@@dejashuawww yess will be looking forward to it 🤩 hahaha. I'm from Indonesia but my great-grandparents are originally from Fujian so we speak Hokkien dialect! (I can understand some words you said in the video as they are a little bit similar in a way hehe) and yes all is well here & back home thank youuu💖

[@waimon23]

Yeah well done. My Dad came from China to Hong Kong, ten to the UK. He escaped Chairman Mao. At the age of 22. Totally proud of the old Crew. Keep up the good work. I want to see more Chinese people on KZbin tell the story.

[@quangii]

Really interesting hearing your dad’s story. Thank you for sharing!

[@dejashu]

Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment! I really appreciate it and I know he will too!! 🤗🤗

[@TheWanderingQuinn]

Shu this is so so lovely and so emotional in the middle! I don't know any Cantonese obviously but you sound totally fluent to me! You didn't stumble at all it sounded like! I'm gutted I cant watch the BBC documentary but hopefully it will be on iplayer soon! :)

[@吳小雅-q7c]

So important to hear these stories. Thank you!

[@nicoleskinner1694]

I think these conversations are so important for everyone to learn about different cultures and to understand what it took for so many families to be in other countries. It's not easy and they deserve respect for their hard work and courage to have moved to a country that they don't speak the language 🧡

[@dejashu]

Thank you, Nicole! 💛 It's not easy at all. Heartbreaking to hear so many negative accounts from the media about immigrants when there are endless positive stories about the courage, dedication, resilience and strength it takes to start all over again in order to make a better live for others.

[@iamcatherinely]

Shu, your canto is so so good!! I need to get on your level! Hearing your dads story definitely resonates with me. My dad and his family immigrated to Canada from Vietnam to escape the war, having to start a new life in a foreign country with no money was not easy

[@dejashu]

Ah thank you! Still have a lot to learn but please do join me in speaking it more and improving our vocab! All in this together! 🤗 It definitely doesn’t sound easy - a heartbreaking reason for why your dad and his family had to leave and it shows a lot of resilience and strength from his part! Can’t even imagine what that must have been like - so eye-opening to hear about having to make those life changing decisions in those circumstances.

[@vanessawan8563]

Your cantonese is so great!! Your parents teach you well💞

[@AliceTeacakeTravels]

I enjoyed this so much! Keep them coming Shu 💓

[@dejashu]

Thank you, Alice 💛 You know how much this means to me!

[@Nicholas1066]

I'm from Hong Kong and live in London. This is a wonderful interview. Your dad is great! Reminds me of my mum

[@Nicholas1066]

I like all your dad's proverbs too. My mum says them and has to explain what they mean!!

[@Aidan_Au]

感恩同時多謝天下所有父母. 移民生活真不容易.

[@kitwan5405]

Yes 2,3&4!! Loved this so much and has helped so much I can’t wait

[@kimou53]

Oh my god Shu, I looooved this! I could hear you talk in Cantonese all day. Can’t wait for the next parts!

[@mattchan2897]

My wife and I really enjoyed this video, your dad is really sweet! Thank you for putting in subtitles I understood you but your dad talks so quick lol :)

[@dejashu]

Thank you, Matt (and to your wife too)! Glad to hear you guys enjoyed it. He does speak quickly, I think it's because he gets so excited about each subject too hahaha. Thank you so much for watching!!

[@rawilson7768]

I enjoyed this video with your Dad. Mine has passed and I miss A Dad’s interaction.

[@jasminechiu368]

I'd love to hear why your dad decided to come to England over anywhere else too. My family moved from HK to Canada when I was young!

[@davewong5896]

Very very inspiring! I enjoyed your cantonese conversation with your dad. Makes me wish I had that kind of relationship my mine!

[@aywt]

好鐘意呢個題材既video! 你爸爸為你地付出咁多要好好孝順佢呀😊期待下次你爸爸再出現係下個video❣️同埋你中文都講得好好！

[@dejashu]

多謝, Amy! 🙏🏼🤗💛開外賣店真是唔容易 - 爸爸媽媽付出好多所以一定會孝順他們！

[@wendyshakespeare1674]

So lovely to listen a British Chinese person speaking Cantonese. I wish mine were better, but at least I can still can speak Cantonese to my mum :-)

[@BG-os7sh]

Nice to hear about your dad’s experience.

[@staceyng6473]

Wonderful video! Loved the interview, your dad is so sweet and lovely! your cantonese is v good am impressed :) x

[@bknance]

So happy to have found your channel! In my area no one speaks Cantonese, so its always refreshing to hear. You and your dad are great❤

[@dejashu]

This means so much to me, thank you! All in this together - always trying to practice my Cantonese so the more vlogs I film of me speaking it, the more I have to do it 😅 He’ll love your comment, thank you!!! 💛

[@redbirdspurpleleaves]

Thank you Teacher Lin for the Cantonese lesson and for sharing your experience! Not sure how we can ever live up to the older generation in their resilience and fearlessness uprooting across the world. My parents came as teenagers and have a very similar story in working in the food/takeaway industry. I'm also one of three girls (plus a brother) and education was always a huge priority. I'm so thankful my siblings and I have been able to go to university and find work. Your dad should feature more for sure, when this lockdown ends would love to see more of your family life / vlogs :) Your Cantonese is enviable, Shu! I tried to listen without subs, but gave up halfway haha. And I totally don't understand the 4 word sayings my dad says all the time (sai tse tchu yee - Chinglish is not my strong point either haha) Stay well and safe!

[@dejashu]

Thank you for sharing your story with me too, Victoria! Will pass on your message to Teacher Lin - can imagine him smiling away at these wonderful comments!! 🤗💛 Our parents have definitely paved the way for us to have the lives that we have now - fully understand why they wanted us to prioritise our educations now! They used to always tell us to study hard so we wouldn’t have to work the same jobs... Their relentless determination and hard work is admirable and feel like what I do now is laughable compared to the hours and sacrifices they put in when they were our age! Hope we can make them proud and be able to repay them for all they’ve done for us!! More vlogs will be coming - can’t wait to see him, have dinner together and to hear/share more stories!! 💛 Aw we’ve got this! Need to work on how I say certain words but will keep uploading these attempts so we can learn together ☺️💛

[@dejashu]

P.S hope you and your family are all safe and healthy - especially during this time!

[@redbirdspurpleleaves]

@@dejashu Aw, sweet reply! I could see you welling up when your dad spoke of how proud he is of you, and it's true! You've worked so hard, I remember watching since the days of your Harry Potter lookbook?! Yes the most important thing is for us to be grateful and appreciate of what our parents have done and take these lessons to the next generation! Yay look forward to the vlogs :)) You too for you and your family, stay well and safe.

[@sophiecutegirl]

Pandariffic video. Having to adapt to a new culture and work on learning a new language and way of life fairly quickly is an awesome but hard thing to do. Love the determined attitude. A hard life that gradually became easier. Very admirable. 🐼

[@dejashu]

Thank you, Sophie! It's a hard thing to do indeed - eye-opening to think of the hardships and obstacles that were no doubt faced over the years. Looking forward to finding out even more!

[@sophiecutegirl]

@@dejashu Indeed. Difficult to imagine what your dad had to go through. It's an interesting story. Hope your dad is happy to continue his story by and by. 🐼

[@juliaquon9166]

I love these Cantonese blogs! It helps with practicing listening skills.

[@bethmeredith]

Thank you for sharing this, very informative and would love to hear more interviews with your Father, and btw, love your outfit. xx

[@HeadlessChickenTO]

I just realized in Canto, the British Pound is similarly referred as weight pounds. For some reason I thought we would have made up some other name... I don't know much of the story behind my paternal parents migrating here. After marrying my mother, they were sponsored who then brought my youngest uncle and aunt over. My oldest aunt was already established here and with 3 kids of her own who my mother helped babysit. I had 1 aunt left in Hong Kong who preferred not to leave. She passed many years ago relatively young and is survived by 2 kids and 1 grandchild that has grown to 3 I believe. All together from my paternal side, we are 4 kids, 9 grand children, and 12 great grands across the board. I was grandchild number 8 but I was the only boy who carries the family name...oh lucky me! My grandfather was a taxi driver and my grandmother held odd jobs but was mostly a stay at home wife. My father passed when I was 4 so my connection is still there but its not as strong as with my maternal side of my family. My mother's family history I know well. They both left their village in Guangdong (I don't recall where exactly but they didn't speak the same dialect of Taishan) and lived in Hong Kong for a few years. My mother was born in '56 but by then, her dad left to find new roots. He started in New York but ended here in Toronto, he found life to be more agreeable. Once rooted, he bought IDs for his wife and first born then had them brought here. My grandfather himself was sponsored by a local doctor who has since become a very close family friend. My mother was only 3 years old when she first met her dad, then my eldest uncle was born the next year. The family will grow by another 2 boys as they rented the upper floors of these old red brick homes in downtown Chinatown till they could afford a place of their own, and all within the same residential block as they didn't move out very far. Grandfather was a cook of Lichee Gardens back in Old Chinatown days while grandmother did the odd sewing machine operator jobs. I was their first grandchild in 82, but there would be 3 of us before both of my grandparents would pass. They never got to meet their 4th and 5th from their youngest son. Grandmother would take early retirement to help raise me after my father's passing and became a community leader in her spare time, quite literally 2/3s of Toronto's downtown Chinatown knew Lee Tai. She was even awarded a plaque by the City of Toronto for her work with the local Chinese community helping to setup and organize karaoke banquets, with some helping to raise money for the local businesses. Even after my grandfather's passing and the subsequent uprooting from the neighborhood where we were raised, my grandmother still mounted daily trips to downtown Chinatown. My eldest uncle would buy her a condo not far from their old house where she lived there for a few years independently till her passing just 3 years and 10 days from my grandfather's.

[@dejashu]

That’s very true!! I always find it so amusing how some words are also literally pronounced how it sounds in English: strawberry, sofa, soufflé etc 😂 Wow!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your family history with me - I read through it several times trying to imagine a family tree and all the various connections with your paternal and maternal side! What a huge family you have! Really interesting to see about your grandparents’ move overseas and subsequently, the life your mother and siblings had because of this decision. Your grandmother sounds amazing too with all of her community work - so amazing to have so much history and to be able to learn so much from various members of your family! It’s inspired me to dig deeper and ask my dad about his parents more!!

[@Wanderlauren]

Aw I loved this! Your dad is so sweet, would love to see more videos of you interviewing him :)

[@dejashu]

Thank you, Lauren! He's a sweetheart. Planning more videos!! 😊

[@robertmaddelena7890]

Wow that was good. Dad worked hard,so in his own way he wanted the best for you and fanily. I think he should be proud.

[@dejashu]

I hope to make him proud! Always want to do more, be better and be able to give back for bringing us up! I’m really bad at expressing this in Chinese to them though but this video is a starting point 😅

[@Aidan_Au]

Please do a couple more episodes with your dad

[@DavidChan1746]

Thanks, I found the video fascinating and I commend you for making such a public record. The Chinese community in the UK is a fascinating topic. I have been writing down stories from the previous generation and I would hope to share them when the time is ripe.

[@dejashu]

Thank you, David! It really is - feel like we've barely scratched the surface and need to explore more stories from the British Chinese community! A wonderful idea to be writing down these stories - it'll be great to be able to reflect and look back on them for years to come!

[@lildevil872]

What an amazing series this will be. Great job Shu

[@dejashu]

Thank you so much! Please do send in any questions or requests for what you’d like to see in the series if you think of any!!! ☺️💛

[@simissagia]

Please more videos with your dad! He’s so sweet. Love the Chinese sayings!

[@dejashu]

When I send him these requests tomorrow, he’s going to be SO chuffed and hike up his appearance fee 😂 Love the sayings too! Always learning so many new ones because of him!

[@HANZ-xg5iu]

That was a really nice video to watch. I’m fascinated by immigrant stories and loved the series that you took part in on BBC. If he doesn’t mind me asking, did your dad come here in search of a better life for his family or was it more of desire of his to live here from a young age? Keep up the good work though!

[@tfchin23]

Similar experience, my family emigrated to Australia instead. Chinese parents show their love thru food and education... never with words !

[@dejashu]

Yes! You nailed it!

[@toni-kaku]

Such a heartwarming video👍

[@helenli2770]

Was just watching your food in London canto vlog and was about to say your canto accent is kinda Guangzhou ish and very jeng ahaha! I love how soothing your videos are!

[@stephanio3547]

Absolutely phenomenal!! 很有智慧、哲學性的一段訪問

[@dejashu]

謝謝你, Staphy! 🙏🏼💛 我將會同爸爸拍第二集！(Hope I wrote that correctly!!!)

[@stephanio3547]

@@dejashu 好啊 期待!!

[@yinny152]

Loved this video so much as I could personally relate also being a BBC in London! My parents also immigrated from Guangzhou :) xx

[@dejashu]

Ah, that's awesome! Thank you so much! 😊

[@angelonapoli6560]

5:45 Daddy has Always been very proud of U!! I think He never skips Ads on Your vids He knows how Yt works 🙂 U clearly & rightly very proud of Him 🌞 Great job Shu 👍. Ciao!

[@dejashu]

Hahaha he says he leaves the ads running and makes sure to watch at least 30 seconds so it counts as a view! A smart man indeed!!! So very proud of him - I hope to make him proud of me too!! Thank you for watching, Angelo! Always appreciated! 😊💛

[@darrencarlson3664]

This was absolutely beautiful.

[@lunaaqua5528]

Like your channel, I’m Cantonese from Guangzhou

[@cliveeariss880]

This was very interesting, I have nothing but respect for your dad, and he must be very proud of you Shu, I know what it's like to work many hours, when my wife came to live here from the Philippines, I was working two jobs, 8.am till 8pm just to pay Bill's and food on the table, loved this very much, be safe my friend. :)

[@dejashu]

Thank you, Clive! Hope to make him proud after all these years of sacrifice for us growing up! Oh wow, hope things are a lot more relaxed now and your family appreciates the efforts you've gone to put food on the table! x

[@cliveeariss880]

Things are fine now Shu, I am debt free and have been a long time, so buying new toys :)

[@dejashu]

Woohoo! Congrats and well deserved!

[@Shashaluk]

i love this babe!! just subbed!

[@abbyt6136]

Wow!!! What your dad said was very touching!!! And I like the bonding between you guys. Btw your dad said 割禾 (pronounced like “got wo”). I think it means going into the fields and harvest :) Your Cantonese is very good!! 👍

[@dejashu]

It’s been really special to be able to speak to my dad on a much deeper level this year, I get so emotional hearing his stories being spoken about in so much detail! Thank you! We’re a lot closer these days and I’m really thankful to be able to have a much stronger bond with him now that I’m older! You’re right!!! Didn’t know this before and when I asked him for the characters - he sent me a voice note to explain it exactly as you said 😂 learned new phrases!

[@abbyt6136]

Haha but actually most ppl dunno “got wo”. I learnt the word from my 86-year-old grandma. I think now ppl call harvest “sau sing” (收成) :)

[@dejashu]

Oh I didn’t know that either so thank you for telling me! Need to brush up on my harvest lingo clearly 😳😅

[@lildevil872]

Your dad is very entertaining but he also kept it real. I laughed so hard when he said about hiring your sister to manage him

[@dejashu]

Hahaha, that’s him all over, doesn’t hold back and has no filter 😂 he has a brilliant sense of humour and never fails to find something to joke about! 💛

[@annawong5027]

Awww, your dad is so proud of you! His working hours in his first Chinatown job sounded horrendous

[@dejashu]

I hope to make him proud! Hearing these accounts of his life makes me determined to work harder! Ooft, I know. So heartbreaking to hear about not being able to rinse the towel from how hard the work was!

[@FTSLYP]

An impressive over-the-phone dialogue solely in Cantonese, bringing out a Chinese immigrant’s exotic life in the UK. You might consider putting up Chinese subtitles in order to cater other Chinese subscribers. Carry on, Shu

[@dejashu]

Thank you, Boston! Hoping to be able to talk about more about this subject through this series - if you have any requests/questions, do let me know. They'd be welcome! Great idea about adding Chinese subtitles - I'll look into this. Thanks for subscribing too!

[@sevenchau364]

呀表，真心羡慕你有呀Shu引以為榮，我個女差不多同年紀，但就無Shu咁叻又乖兼考順。呀Shu，多D同爸爸媽媽去飲茶， 做外賣好辛苦 養大妳哋亦唔容易㗎! 。

[@tobie1]

i love this! your dad is a GRAFTER!!!

[@dejashu]

Thanks Tobie! He most certainly is!!! Got my work ethic from my parents but even so, still can’t keep up with how hard working they are!!

[@joelandbecca6851]

Hey Shu, we’re new to your channel and so thankful that you made a video like this. I’m a Chinese Malaysian living in NZ and I can definitely relate to some of the things your dad was saying like his thoughts on minimising saying thanks to family members. I feel like my family has a similar vibe haha. Pls thank your dad for us for sharing a bit of his story. And flip your canto is good! 🥰

[@dejashu]

Hey Joel and Becca!! Thank you for watching the video - hope you’re both well in NZ! I’ll pass on your thanks to him, dad will be chuffed! Nice to know your family is similar too - he’s always been funny about us thanking him and will insist it’s what families are meant to do for each other 😭😭 my heart! Ah thank you! Really need to work on my pronounciation but getting there slowly! 😂

[@joelandbecca6851]

@@dejashu keen to see more cantonese vlogs!

[@HongKong.Shenzhen.]

Talkative dad! But well meaning

[@ebooy1]

前辈刻苦耐劳， 任劳任怨，真的佩服！

[@joyce01320]

爸爸講“條路自己揀”嗰時，我以為佢下一句係“仆街唔好喊”😂😂😂🙊🙊

[@dejashu]

Hahaha 要發去付爸爸睇，好好笑😂

[@Geoscot]

Great video, thanks shu.

[@dejashu]

Thank you for watching!! 🥰💛

[@lajohnla]

the content we truly signed up for 👏👏👏

[@dejashu]

Always value your support and your amazing comments haha, thank you John! 💛