While some people subscribe to the mentality of basically sacrificing your analyst years so you can live the good life in your latter years, luxury isnt important enough for me. While I consider myself ambitious, the idea of completely immersing myself to one cause just isnt in the cards. Id rather have time for friends, family, sleep, other interests and making the most of my youth, at the expense of a more modest paycheck. I also have to sort of like the work im doing, not just my paycheck, prestige, perks.

Although I think wall street could use a honest guy like me. I think if they just let their analyst get some sleep, it wouldnt be such a bad gig. Its like playing survivor. Any firms that treat their junior people like people?

I think she went overboard with limiting her daughter’s creativity to simply music. Most Asians during my childhood were ordered to excel in ALL things. I graduated with 8 other Asian kids and our combined list of achievements included the usual valedictorian, National Honor Society president, first chair All-County/All-State/all-Eastern violin/cello/flute, but even sports stars and lead characters in school plays.

I think encouraging excellence in MULTIPLE activities, not simply academics and music, was the key to many of my peers’ success. Besides, so what if they are socially awkward and aren’t “popular” during high school. This concept of being “cool” disappears after high school anyway.. at least for most mature people. Most (emphasis on MOST, not all) end up finding their niche when they leave their high school and encounter the larger world, ie college.

Also.. to add to your point about not sparing the rod, BDK: I totally agree. If the parents have done a good job, I think there comes a point when you look back and see that in a strange, cruel way… it was a way they loved you. And you love them back for it. It’s definitely a different kind of love though than my non-Asian friends.

Someone should do research and look at the differences on how Western and Eastern cultures view familial love differently because I think it’d be an interesting read.