Families have different definitions of what makes a family. They can live in close quarters, see each other everyday, take vacations together and have Sunday BBQs and celebrate holidays and birthdays and babies. They might be a blended family or a multicultural family. They might be a smaller family of three or a bigger family of six. But the bottom line is that families share lives. If those definitions help define family, it is safe to say that our expat community is one. We may not be connected by blood, but make no mistake, this very large connected group of people is a family – drama, laughter and all. And just like a traditional family, all of its members have their own roles. Here are 13 personas of an expat extended family:
The Older Sister that Picks On You. Sure she loves you but why tell you she does when it is way easier (and funnier) to make fun of you. Her jokes get tired but so does your belly from laughing so hard. She has helped you perfect your annoyed eye-roll but has also made your skin thicker and tougher and you know that one day you’ll be stronger for it.
The Big Bro. They give you a ton of crap but when it comes down to it, they’ve got your back. They do cool things that make you look at them adoringly like play guitars or blow fire or take Tequila shots while doing a hand stand. I never had a brother before but I do now. Several. And they’re pretty cool.
The Best Friend Sibling. They would have been your better half before any significant other was your better half. They might finish your sentences or call you right at the moment you pick up the phone to call them. They just get you and you instantly click like you’ve known this person forever.
The Hopeless Younger Brother. Like your older sister does to you, you just can’t help but pick on him because he makes it so easy. He’s clueless in the most endearing way possible and because of this you feel the need to nurture him as much as the need to mock him. Whenever you talk about him your sentence always starts with a sympathetic, “Ohhhhh insert name. And no matter how old he gets or how smart he is you’ll always see him as the little bro.
The Annoying Little Sister. You wonder how it is possible that both of you were born of the same mother because everything she does drives you nuts. You love her and have been through a lot together but for the love of God could you leave me alone right now and stop annoying me.
The Sunday Dinner Mom. What doesn’t she plan or help you with or make you feel better about. She is the person you can go to for everything and she will never say no. She may want to smack you upside the head but she’ll never turn you away and when you grow up you want to be just like her.
The Loud Aunt. She was born with a megaphone implant in her lungs and has two volumes: loud and not even close to quiet so sitting next to her at a place requirung silence could be awwwkward. You’ve had thoughts of encouraging her to lower her voice (when at a funeral) but know she is not at all capable of that. After all, can a leopard change its spots? Nope and neither can she and that’s fine because everyone needs someone in their life that speaks up.
The Fun Aunt that Always Drinks with You. She makes you feel not so alone in your crazy world; a place where drinking is culturally acceptable at anytime of day and laughing is the best medicine.
The Strange Uncle. No one ever knows what he is up to. He says weird crap and does even weirder crap that makes you shake your head but he always makes you laugh. You find yourself looking at him a lot and asking, “What the…?!” but he makes every get together waaaay more interesting.
The Dos Equis Uncle. You know him. The uncle you can’t wait to see who reminds you more of the Dos Equis guy than of your mom, whose brother he is. He’s always got a story. He cat calls lions, has out swam a shark, and stopped a bar fight by shooting daggers… with his eyes. He is the World’s Most Interesting Uncle.
The Hippie-ish Globe-Trotting Second Cousin. You don’t see her often because she’s too busy saving the seals or cleaning up oil spills but life when she’s around feels like snuggling with a puppy under a blanket on a cool day because she’s full of love for you, the Earth, and everybody in it. She welcomes you with open arms and it’s genuine. You wish you could have as much peace in your life as she does in her braided hair and she probably smells like Patchouli.
The Perfect Cousin. Good-looking. Social. Charismatic. Stylish. Successful. Eco-Friendly. You’d hate them except they’re so darn likeable. Oh and funny. Did I mention the perfect cousin is funny too?
The Fun Cousin. You can always expect a good time when you’re with the fun cousin. They are the person that when you’re with, others think Oh boy. These two are trouble… and they’re right (but fun trouble). You drive around with the windows rolled down listening to loud music and singing along. Fun Cousin makes you sillier laugh so hard that your belly aches and wake up the next morning wondering why your stomach muscles hurt. They won’t get you killed but they might get you locked up for a night.
Which persona are you?
~Pack lightly. Make friends. Live well. Repeat.~ Photo Credits: Older Sister – David SchiersnerBig Bro – See-ming Lee BFF Sibling – Uwe Richter Photogrpahy Hopeless Younger Brother – Vidrio Annoying Sister – Sara Korf Sunday Dinner Mom – Stephen A. Wolfe Loud Aunt – Felipe Estrada (cropped by Expat Village) The Fun Aunt – Hans Peter Meyer Strange Uncle – RL Hyde Dos Equis Uncle – Prosto Photos Hippie Cousin – ejmc
The Fun Cousin – Pedro Simoes
Perfect Cousin – Pedro Simoes