Do You Belong in the US or Asia?

By: Olivia Cantor

6 Min Quiz

Image: Getty Images / DigitalVision / Image Source

About This Quiz

People always think that they're better off living somewhere else. This thought always comes after encountering something unpleasant in their environment. Are your neighbors very nosy? Does the sun shine directly into your bedroom, disturbing your sleep? Or is the cost of rent or mortgage very unreasonably high in your area? The reasons could be that simple and mindless, or they could also be super-duper serious like that.

But aside from thinking that we could live in a place that's far better, do you sometimes think - or even fantasize - that you could live abroad, in a totally different country, or even in a totally different continent for that matter? Could you actually consider being an immigrant or an expat?

The life of expats sounds wonderful and glamorous these days. They are like the more sophisticated type of traveler to some. But in reality, expat life could also be hard if you go to live and work in a country that you're not really suited for, culture-wise, or personality-wise. How will you know?

We can start from here. Can you say if you can live outside the U.S., say somewhere in Asia? Or will it tell you to live in the U.S. for life? Let's take this personality quiz and see where you will land!

Do you like experiencing four seasons year in and year out?

Very much so! I can also change my moods with the change in seasons.

I'm not really focused on the weather like that. But I'm good if it's sunny or rainy, that's it. No snow!
Sometimes it's nice, but if it gets too cold in the winter, I think I can take my chances at the tropics!

Maybe I can experience it from time to time only.

Do you like eating tropical fruits like mango, papaya, avocado and pineapple?

Nah, not really. They tend to be so sticky. I'm good with just apples and oranges, or grapes. Less messy to eat.

Yummy! Yes! I eat them every single day!
Sometimes, sure! Especially when I'm on vacation.

Not a fan of fruits in general, sorry.

Do you like wearing flip-flops all the time, even when going outside?

No way! I could get frostbite when it's too cold outside.

Yep! Very comfy for me!
Depends on where I'm going. If it's dusty, that's fine. If it's wet, maybe not.

I don't like wearing them at all.

Do you have patience with riding on unpaved roads?

Gives me headaches! I hate potholes and uneven roads like that.

Yeah, it's OK.
If I'm bringing a car, not really. If I'm just commuting, I can hack it.

I think I'd rather walk on these roads, no riding.

When you complain about inept social services, do you expect to get results immediately, or at least have your complaint heard and addressed?

Of course! That's what my taxes are for!

I'd love to, but sometimes the system really doesn't function well. So I try to find another way out of such predicaments.
At least they should put it on some kind of official record. I'm OK with that.

Nah, I don't really like complaining. Too much hassle.

Are you okay with standing out in a community as an obvious foreigner?

Um, no. Too awkward.

Yeah, why not?
Well, many places are already multicultural anyway, so what the hey.

I don't really bother with the others in the community wherever I live, so I guess this is not an issue for me.

Are you OK with exploring places that some governments deemed as "unsafe for travel" at some point?

Good gosh, no! I could get kidnapped for ransom money!

Those warnings are sometimes exaggerated. I'd just be careful.
I'll research heavily about the place first, perhaps, before really going there.

I don't really like exploring that far.

Are you ready for 30 degrees Celsius weather (and up!) most of the year?

Ugh, I'd sweat buckets! No.

Sure! Warm is good.
Can I just have that sometimes? Or maybe I'll live in a place with AC.

That depends on the kind of home I'll be living in. If it's designed in a cool way, maybe I can take it.

Do you like ice-cold beverages, or putting ice on your cold drinks?

Not really, especially when it's wintertime!

Yep. All the time!
It depends on the kind of drink.

I don't really like cold drinks in general.

Are you ready to live in a place where their religion is very different from what you practice?

I'm not sure that's such a good idea.

Yeah, why not. It's just religion, and we all have to respect each other's beliefs.
It's cool, as long as they're not pushy about it, like they'll recruit you or something.

I'm agnostic so I don't care.

Are you willing to learn a new language, if given the chance?

Nah. I'm good with just English all around.

Sure! That would be awesome!
Depends on the language. I don't like the ones with a totally different alphabet.

If it's common enough to use worldwide, like Spanish or French, I'm good with that.

Do you want to live in a place with very ancient historical civilizations?

I'm good with the occasional landmarks and museums, but that's just it.

Yes! Seeing ruins or preserved heritage places is cool!
Depends on the place. I hope they're not haunted, though!

Not a big fan of history, so no.

Do you like to be within the reach of great white sand beaches?

I think I like places with buildings and pavements more.

Oh yeah, definitely! I love the beach!
If they're just there, that's OK. But I won't go all the time.

Not a fan of beaches. Sand could get in my clothes!

Are you ready to live in a place with the occasional flies, mosquitoes and cockroaches roaming around the place?

Yuck, no!

They're all over the world anyway. You just need to keep your surroundings clean so as not to attract them.
I can always use pesticides!

I can protect myself from them, I think.

Can you live in a place where the Internet is rather slow?

No way, man. Internet is life!

Yeah, it's OK.
It's a delicate balance. But the Internet should work when I need it to work.

I keep off the grid most times, so this is not an issue for me.

Can you tolerate storms and heavy rains?

Ugh, I don't think so. I hate being wet and muddy!

Yeah, that's just part of Mother Nature's cycles.
As long as there's no extreme things like flooding and such, I'm OK.

No, I don't like storms that much. Too scary.

Are you a fan of rice meals?

No

Yes!
Depends on my mood

I don't do carbs.

Are you OK with seeing some form of extreme poverty in certain areas?

No. It upsets me.

I guess it's a part of life. You learn how to deal with it eventually, I guess.
It's OK. I actually volunteer to help in these areas.

Well, I see homeless people sometimes. I can tolerate that.

Do you prefer to interact with people who are frank and direct, or is it OK if they're the "non-confrontational" silent type?

I'd like frankness more.

It's okay to be non-confrontational most times.
A bit of both, depending on the situation.

I really don't like interacting with people, period.

Do you appreciate non-western art works, literature, films and such?

No, sorry. I don't like translated stuff, dubbed or subtitled. Too tedious.

Of course! World art is cool.
Sometimes, depends on my mood

Not such a fan of artsy things

Are you ready to be in a place where east truly meets west?

I like things to be more western than eastern, most of the time.

Yep! That would be good to experience.
In some contexts maybe, like in cuisines.

I really don't think of the world in such contexts.

Are you open to dating non-western people, or people from a totally different race and country?

I'm not so sure. There might be a cultural gap there.

I'm open to dating many kinds of people, regardless of where they're from.
Well, it depends on the person, and whether they're interesting enough.

Not into dating, sorry.

Can you cope with living in a place that has stricter or not-so-modern social mores?

Ugh, sounds stiff. Not sure ...

I don't really mind. I'll just behave carefully.
Well, as long as they don't require me to be like them, I can consider it.

I don't care. I don't like interacting with people in general, anyway.

Do you like eating noodle-based dishes?

Uh, no.

Yes! Yum!
Sometimes, when I crave for it.

Yeah but only if prepared the Italian way, like pasta things, you know.

Are you OK with facing and paying the occasional corrupt official to have your papers processed?

Ugh, sounds like a headache, no!

I'd rather not, but might as well deal with it, depending on the situation. We'll see.
Maybe facing, but not paying. I'll find a legal way to do things.

I'll just ask someone to help me deal with this.

Is it OK if you live in a place where English is their second or third language, and they speak it with an accent?

That might be a bit awkward. Don't think so.

Yeah, why not. The whole world doesn't speak in pure English anyway.
It's OK, as long as I can still understand it despite their thick accents.

Oh no, I hope I don't snicker if they mispronounce something!

Can you eat weird stuff like big lizards, fried insects, snails, pig's intestines, chicken gizzard and stuff like that?

I'll stick with pork and beef, thanks. Chicken, too.

Yeah, I can taste them! I have an adventurous palate!
I guess I can try, if I'm sure that they're cleanly prepared.

If it's a dare, I'll go! YOLO!

Would you mind being regarded as "the token foreigner" in a work place?

That might produce awkward moments. I don't think so.

That's OK, as long as they don't let that affect my work.
Well, that kind of tokenism could also have its perks, which I could milk ...

Nah, I don't want to be the token anything anywhere!

Can you cope with living in a place where there's no cellphone signal sometimes, much less an internet or WiFi connection?

Good gosh, how can you live like that?

That's fine. It's good to disconnect from time to time.
Well, that will be a perfectly good excuse not to contact people from time to time ...

I don't really like going online much, or using my cellphone too much, so that could be a good thing.

Are you OK with settling down in a place with constant political turmoil?

Not so much.

Aren't all places like that?
Well, I fight the system head on, so, whatever.

As long as it doesn't affect me directly, fine.

6 Minute Quiz 6 Min

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