American Boy — The Version NOT Featuring Kanye
Back when I was in primary school, I was relentlessly teased for my accent. They kept calling me “American Boy” even though I’d lived in Singapore my whole life. Even showing my classmates my birth certificate (which clearly showed I was born in Singapore) didn’t stop them.
And for the record, my accent was Canadian. My best friend was Canadian, and I had been neighbours with him since I was three. Guess who I learnt most of my vocabulary from?
My Canadian accent grew a lot less pronounced over my teenage years, and the whole “American Boy” thing got forgotten… at least until my mother dug out an old portrait of me my father had been given when I was born.
Me: “Why am I beside the American flag in that portrait?”
Mom: “Oh, it’s because you were conceived in America. Your father spent a year there for a sabbatical, and I visited him while he was there. I realised I was pregnant once I got back home.”
Me: “Really?”
Mom: “Oh, yeah. What was it those kids used to call you in primary school? American Kid?”
Me: “American Boy.”
Mom: “I guess they were somewhat correct. You are my American Boy.” *laughs* “Maybe I should get a ‘Made in America’ T-shirt for you.”
I muttered some choice Malay swear words under my breath.
Question of the Week
Tell us your story about a customer who couldn't understand the most simple concept.