It’s a trip of discovery
My parents have never been to Europe. They don’t speak a word of English, and they don’t know anyone there. All of these factors combined make them feel vulnerable in Europe. For them, this trip is one of discovery and embracing new experiences.
At Tesco, my parents repeatedly asked me, “How do we pay?” It was the phrase I heard most often from them. At first, I felt intuitively irritated—it seemed like such common sense. But then I realized everything was new to them, from scanning a QR code to tapping a card to pay. These were concepts they’d never encountered before.
It made me reflect on how people often feel condescending about things they’ve mastered, without empathizing with those unfamiliar with the same experiences. This trip is the first time my parents have had to rely entirely on me to navigate and survive, especially if they can’t find a Chinese-run market where they feel more at ease. It’s humbling to witness their journey of adapting to a completely foreign world.
