Selected Stories

What does it mean to love someone? Are emotions a shared weight carried together or responsibility of a single individual, to be managed alone? A personal reflection on emotional detachment, cultural conditioning, and the stark contrast between Western independence and Eastern devotion.

In the context of love, is sharing resources a given or optional? A reflection on the stark differences in familial responsibility, love, and resource-sharing between East and West—told through the simple act of packing a lunchbox.

Gratitude is universal—but the way we express it isn’t. In the West, a verbal ‘thank you’ essential. In the East, it creates emotional distance. A reflection on love, duty, and the unspoken rules of gratitude across cultures.

What drives us to say yes? In individualist cultures, motivation is rooted in self-interest and fulfillment. In collectivist cultures, it’s about duty, group harmony, and shared responsibility. A reflection on how motivation is framed—and often lost in translation—between East and West.

What counts as “enough notice” depends on where you’re from. When an urgent family need collides with the Dutch planning culture, the gap between spontaneity and structure becomes painfully clear. A reflection on scheduling, expectations, and what it really means to be there for each other.

Is happiness a personal choice, or is it tied to the well-being of those around us? In Western thought, setting boundaries and focusing on what we can control is seen as the key to a fulfilling life. But in collectivist cultures, responsibility extends beyond the self—caring for family, honoring obligations, and embracing shared struggles. 

What defines a true friend? In many Western contexts, friendships are fluid, low-pressure, and shaped by convenience. But in collectivist cultures, connection comes with expectations: consistency, duty, and a deep-seated sense of permanence. A reflection on shifting norms, childhood bonds, and the quiet loneliness that comes with emotional independence. 

A ballet performance, a judo match, and a quiet walk home reveal a deeper divide in what it means to succeed—and to care. This personal reflection contrasts Western ideals of fun and emotional validation with an Asian drive for mastery and discipline.

What makes a “good school”? For one parent, it’s about autonomy and freedom. For the other, it’s about structure and achievement. When cultural values collide in the most fundamental of decisions—choosing a child’s school—the gap between priorities, expectations, and assumptions becomes painfully clear. A reflection on how deeply education is shaped by cultural perspectives.

A birthday should be about joy—but sometimes, it reveals something deeper. A child left behind, an unspoken lesson in social belonging, and a quiet realization that loyalty is no longer a given. A reflection on friendship, exclusion, and the shifting values of inclusion across cultures.

At what age should a child have their first sleepover? In one culture, early independence is encouraged through playdates and socialization. In another, discipline and solitude build patience and focus. When parenting philosophies collide, the question becomes bigger than play—it’s about identity, values, and the kind of child one hopes to raise.