Since the middle of the 19th century, there has been a saying in the circle of Chinese immigrants looking for gold abroad-
"vegetable knives, shavers and earthen knives."
Don't get me wrong, it's not a sign. It's a proxy for the first Chinese immigrants to earn a living.
In those days, many Chinese people who went to work abroad did not have a good education. It was very difficult to find a "high-quality" job because of poor foreign language speaking. In order to survive, they had to rely on the hard work handed down by their ancestors.
Either open restaurants, do traditional Chinese medicine, teach martial arts, or work part-time at construction sites.
Over time, the Chinese mixed-mouthed "stunts", so condensed into a simple slogan.
Interestingly, in Phoenix Satellite TV's documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living," we can clearly see that even after hundreds of years of wind and dust, the older generation relied on the means of making a living. It is still passed on to the new generation of immigrants, and sometimes they play new tricks.
How far can ordinary people go abroad for a living? In the film, with three simple stories, a glimpse of contemporary immigrants' survival silhouette.
Let the "vegetable knife" in the hands of the older generation walk out of Chinatown.
In 1993, 15-year-old Cai Renyong followed his parents' footsteps, left Fuqing, Fujian, and went to the United States to fight.
Cai Renyong was born and raised overseas Chinese is a famous "immigration base", young people at a certain age, rarely stay there, most of them to the other side of the ocean.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
After arriving in the United States, this group of new immigrants who cannot speak English and have no academic background will basically choose the same path as their ancestors before 160 years ago-opening restaurants, owners and chefs, and using home food to attract business.
Chinese restaurants have always ranked first in the list of overseas Chinese earning skills. A dish knife is the consensus of immigrants of all ages, and it has also become the basis for them to mix up food and eat abroad.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Cai Renyong is no exception, he and his family opened a Fujian restaurant in New York Chinatown, ready for a foothold.
However, the restaurant was closed within a short period of time. Perhaps because there are too many Chinese restaurants in the United States, according to incomplete statistics, more than 40000 Chinese restaurants have absorbed more than 1 million new and old Chinese immigrants, and all of them have come up with a way to earn a living. On the contrary, they have intensified competition and catalysed elimination.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
In this regard, Cai Renyong depressed. But he had no time to whine, eat, and wait for money.
Still dreaming of a restaurant, he had to go around the restaurant to do odd jobs, do dishes, mop the floor, clean the tables, and secretly observe the secrets of those who could survive the competition.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
It is seven years after such a day.
Finally, at the beginning of the millennium, Cai Renyong, who felt that he had "started" a joint brother, opened a Chinese restaurant featuring integrated cuisine, and the restaurant changed the practice of the older generation of immigrants "making whatever food they came from." Lu, Sichuan, Guangdong and Su, Fujian, Zhejiang, Hunan, Huizhou, eight major dishes, have been involved in.
As a result, his restaurant was all over Chinatown.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
This is Cai Renyong's first experience of "fusion" mystery.
The experience of various restaurants over the years made him understand that it is very difficult for him to win the homogeneous competition in Chinatown because he only pursues taste paranoia and lacks the standard "home food." only by integrating and innovating can he have a chance to hold on to the dish knife passed down by his ancestors. With a small restaurant, open up a side of the world for a living.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Cai Renyong worked hard for the new restaurant-six years in a row, just one day off on Easter every year; how his children grew up, I don't remember, but every detail of how the restaurant grew up was engraved in my heart.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Initially hold steady "vegetable knife" Cai Renyong, also do not want to stop. At the bottom of his heart, there was a bigger vision.
Since the rise of Chinese restaurants in the United States, most of them have been confined to Chinatown. And now times are different, and it is time for the Chinese to walk out of Chinatown and into a bigger world.
To achieve this goal, we must do a good job in American business.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Once upon a time, Chinese restaurants in Chinatown always gave foreigners the impression of "cheap," smoke in the kitchen, whether the ingredients are safe and fresh, but also had to put a question mark.
To change his bias, Tsai opened a new restaurant in Spring Field, Virginia, in 2006, based on traditional Chinese food and incorporating Asian cuisine. As a result, it was popular with the Americans, and there was a time when there was a hard-to-get spectacle.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Americans pay attention to the safety of food ingredients, Cai Renyong on the application of Japanese-style food fresh standards, all ingredients purchased on the same day, the open kitchen boldly show the transformation of food. In this way, Chinese food can also be put on the "high-end atmosphere" hat.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Americans like fresh and interesting designs, Cai Renyong specially returned home to study art, cut tofu thinner than silk thread, in a rich soup, good-looking and delicious.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Americans eat efficiently and eat when they are hungry. Instead of waiting for cooking time, the restaurant also serves typical American Chinese food, such as Zuo Zongtang's chicken. Although the Chinese know that there is no such dish in authentic Chinese food, the chicken-legged version of Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs is as long as it caters to the local people.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Most importantly, develop a personal and interpersonal relationship with American diners that transcend economic interests.
Walking in a restaurant at the peak of the meal season, Tsai greets familiar customers naturally and pleasantly, saying that Americans have a high degree of loyalty and that once you are recognized, it is possible to visit the restaurant from childhood to adulthood.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
At the same time, shuttling through the restaurant, it is hard to see the Chinese piled up. Most of the customers have become native Americans. This shows that Cai Renyong's plan to "get out of Chinatown" has won a phased victory.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Whenever Cai Renyong looked back on the experience of the relationship with Chinese food, he also felt ups and downs, interesting, at first he did not hold the heavy knife, but also let it fall into the dust;
Later, he finally got hold of it, let it do its best;
Now, the knife, passed down from the old ancestors, has been brought into the wider world by him and new immigrants like him from Chinatown. A hundred years on, a vegetable knife condenses the desire and wisdom of several generations of Chinese immigrants to earn a living, and radiates a brand-new charm in the tide of the times' vicissitudes.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Wushu: both Culture and ability
The dream factory animation "Kung Fu Panda", once popular all over the world, created a family restaurant and then practiced it as a panda image of a generation of martial arts masters, which may have hidden in the invisible another magical "paraphernalia" of overseas Chinese-martial arts.
For the 50-year-old northeast man Meng Tao, before emigrating to Spain, who preached him that martial arts would become their only source of survival, he was not convinced; But it was later discovered that thanks to martial arts, he not only made money abroad, but also made friends and found the novelty of life.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Meng Tao, who was originally a domestic police officer, first came to Cyprus to reunite with his wife and daughter, who worked and studied here, but was different from his educated and educated wife and daughter, and his language was impenetrable, so that he could hardly find a decent job.
"the first half of the year was really the saddest."
Language barriers, cultural barriers, so that they seem to be on the island, domestic friends are not around, the only family members busy making money, reading, I seem to have become the superfluous one.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
He was ashamed to see his wife earn money to support his family, but he could not share anything as a husband. Every day, when his wife and daughter go out to work and school, he simply walks out of the house and goes to a nearby park to punch out the negative emotions.
While at home, he had learned one of the traditional Chinese martial arts-metaphysical boxing, playing brightly.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Unexpectedly, a set of fists has become a turning point in his overseas life.
Once, the Spanish young man Yerry did not see Meng Tao fighting the tiger style, then proposed to compare with him, Meng Tao readily accepted this challenge without malice. As a result, the young man who had studied taekwondo and karate was suddenly knocked down by Meng Tao and had no chance of making a move.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Yellimo stunned, lamenting the subtlety of Chinese kung fu, boldly put forward and Meng Tao to study art, pay tuition can also be. Meng Tao this just afterthought, the original ancestors passed down the kung fu is not a decoration, but also to help themselves "do business" overseas.
Yellimo became Meng Tao's first apprentice, then Jerimo brought his three or two friends, "three or two friends" brought more people, the park soon appeared a Chinese man with several Spanish men, women and children boxing wonder.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
For foreign apprentices who came to learn boxing, Meng Tao received 50 euros per person, lower than the average level of local martial arts schools. Meng Tao is happy that he not only made money through martial arts, to achieve "economic independence", but also handed over to Spain.
It made him feel for the first time that his life after emigration was full of meaning.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
In Europe, there are many who are willing to embrace new immigrants; but there are those who have been hostile to minorities all the time, trying to demonstrate superiority with provocation and insults.
One time, Meng Tao was practicing with his apprentice in the park. A Moroccan and two Spaniards walked over leisurely and threw the drink can in front of Meng Tao and spat, smiling, full of contempt and complacency.
Angry Meng Tao was enraged, he did not say a word, put the leader of Morocco to the ground, the other two Spaniards, instantly disappeared. This beautiful counterattack won applause from the onlookers.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Meng Tao has since become a local community of "internet celebrities," the flow of people to worship teachers, he once raised the tuition fee to 300 euros, but also can not stop everyone from learning boxing enthusiasm.
In all the invitation, let Meng Tao want and do not want to agree, from Confucius School. This is a school with the theme of promoting Chinese culture, offering courses related to Chinese language and culture, including local students, but more Chinese.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Meng Tao was invited to become a "non-staff" teacher of the college, who could teach Chinese children with yellow skin and black eyes about Chinese tradition, and let them not forget the cultural roots. Meng Tao felt that it was fine. But to his surprise, Chinese children come to class not just for cultural acquisition, but also for dignity and life.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Zheng Huanyu, 17, was besieged by a Moroccan schoolmate at school and beaten to dislocate his arm. He and the teacher have reflected this problem, his father also went to school to warn the bullies, but futile resistance, brought again and again mocking, insulting and besieging.
In a school where there are ten times as many Moroccan students as Chinese, the seemingly meek Chinese are often the targets of bullying. Zheng Huanyu's experience is not a case in point, but a common problem in some secondary schools in Spain.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
It was not until Zheng Huanyu, who was admitted to the Confucius Institute, learned to play the role of metaphysical boxing with Meng Tao, that the situation of being bullied gradually improved. The Moroccan classmate comes to look for trouble again, Zheng Huanyu will send a punch to the other party in the face, then gently rub a few times, as a warning.
As he grew older, the teenager slowly understood what Master Meng had warned of. The true meaning of martial arts was to protect himself, not to bully the weak, and not to kill life.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
A strange feeling about Chinese culture and spirit flowed in the hearts of Chinese children who emigrated at a young age. This martial arts, which represents the essence of traditional culture, made money for Master Meng and helped him win respect and friendship. And for themselves, it has also become a guarantee of dignity and security.
Knowing that generations of Chinese immigrants had taught martial arts through kwon boxing houses, he suddenly felt relieved to open up a place abroad. In the past and present, now and in the future, there are overlaps between the young man's fists and feet. That is the way for overseas Chinese to make a living, that is, culture, but also ability.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
The 88-year-old Chinese tiger mother does not rely on her children to rely on traditional Chinese medicine.
After being taken to California by her daughter Wang Fubing, an 88-year-old Chinese woman, relied on his ability to do traditional Chinese medicine to gain financial resources and achieve "separation" from her children, "said Wang Fubing, an 88-year-old Chinese woman who was admitted to California at the age of 88.
Speaking of this, the old man laughed: "I often say to the children, you can not control their own children, also can not control your mother." Each of the three generations has his own way of living. "
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
And Wang's old woman's way of living, still can not leave the old craft handed down from generation to generation-traditional Chinese medicine.
Before emigration, Wang Fubing, a doctor in the otorhinolaryngology department of Beijing 301 Hospital, has worked as a western doctor for 40 years and has also studied Chinese medicine. She has completed her major in China and got a diploma. In her spare time, she also likes to see doctors for relatives and friends.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Although after going to the United States, she always shouted not to care about her children, but when she was young, she was a real tiger mother, trying to "force" the two children to study in the United States.
The daughter's application form was a word-by-word change; even her son's application form was filled out under her supervision. Because the daughter is high achiever, the son compares low achiever, the son always when filling out the form "no acceptance hope," she will gouge out the son fiercely, tell him never to give up.
"to be alive is to have an impulse! Whether or not success is secondary, do it first and then say it! "
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
This may explain why when she "forced" her two children into a prestigious school graduate, and then "forced" into Silicon Valley, she spent her old years in the United States, choosing to separate from her children, fight alone, and become self-reliant.
Although she is 80 years old, the youthful rush still haunts the blood of the Chinese old woman.
Wang first carried out a pros and cons analysis, found that a person in the United States to live a good life, driving is an essential skill. So, she took the driver's license twice in a row, in the United States coach nervously felt there would be an accident, after all, successfully passed.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Can earn for oneself, does not depend on the support of the children, over the years the ability to practice medicine is also their biggest selling point.
However, to do Chinese medicine in the United States, it is not possible to have a domestic diploma in Chinese medicine, and must pass the Chinese Medicine license examination in the United States, and before that, it is necessary to apply for the qualification of the examination.
As a result, she feverishly submitted a diploma in Chinese medicine, a transcript of a major in Chinese medicine, and a letter of recommendation from three senior Chinese medicine practitioners to the examination committee, but was once rejected. Wang Fubing is not discouraged, immediately launched a complaint, to the end, finally won this precious examination opportunity.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
"when the Chinese are overseas, you have to fight for everything yourself. It's your business to miss the opportunity."
Thanks to this fearless personality, nearly 90-year-old Wang Fubing finally sat in a Chinese medicine center downtown, examined the patient's veins, acupunctured, cupped, and studied infertility by the way. In her conditioning, more than 700 couples ushered in a lovely little life, said, all believe that Mrs. Wang is enough "legend."
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
On the basis of the accumulated salary from medical consultation, Wang Fubing declined the kind offer of his son and daughter to stay with her. She knew that the Chinese people have always emphasized "raising children against the elderly", but why bother their children when she can stand on her own feet?
Behind the "livelihood" of traditional Chinese medicine, there are many independent individual spirit and optimistic attitude towards life. Even if one foot has stepped into the grave, you can also have rich years.
After five full years of numbering, Wang finally moved into the well-known Montelville old-age apartment, where she greeted and talked excitedly to her new friends about whether to put a desk or a piano at the bright landing window. (see photo) -.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
A pile of books, a few flowers, immigrant overseas life with a fresh and bright color. With the same old craft as her grandparents, Wang Fubing's post-immigrant era was particularly substantial and meaningful, although at this time she had gone beyond the traditional sense of "mixed-mouthed food," but with the help of acrobatic techniques. Open up a more independent and wonderful old age.
Photo from documentary "living elsewhere: the way for Chinese to make a living."
Years hasty, time flies, generations of Chinese immigrants in pursuit of a new life, new hope, followed by a succession of attacks. Among them, and those who have spread for thousands of years, is the background color, restaurants, martial arts, traditional Chinese medicine. Also in the heritage of new and old immigrants, re-appearance of beauty.
The way to make a living is to live, and to be new. They are forever "iron rice bowls." with them, there is life.