Older = Wiser?

As we grow older, there are certain unwritten rules that society demands.... especially in Asian culture, where a lot of parents are still controlling giving advice to their children even when they are perfectly capable of deciding their own paths in life.

In my case, I left home for Singapore when I was 18, and I have to admit that at that time I was young, naive, inexperienced, and clueless about everything. I don't care about anything that was going on outside my world. All I know is I have to study and get a degree. I was fortunate enough to never have to worry about financial matters.

Over the years, I have seen many different things, lived in 3 different countries, interact with lots and lots of people, made some mistakes, and I feel that I have grown (personality-wise AND tummy-wise, of course). But in my parents' eyes, I'm still the same 18 year old boy who doesn't know anything, is hopeless in choosing friends and who to trust, and not mature enough to be independent. I understand that they are just being overprotective, and they act this way because they care too much about me, but sometimes it's a bit too much. And it doesn't help that I have this face that looks like I'm forever 20.....

In my opinion, the best way to learn is through your own mistakes.

Well, enough of these complaints. I was just thinking about this because I will be going back home next week for Chinese New Year, and I can assure you that the same old topic that most singletons dread will definitely comes up during family visits. Hopefully my mother won't hook me up with someone who drinks like a fish, smokes like a chimney, and dresses like her mother :P