but for older folks, or younger ones with a traditional mindset, “hometown” means your ancestral origin (in malaysia). that usually traces back to your dad or even your grandfather.

an interesting thought came to mind. let’s picture this:

you migrated to the US, got married, and started a family there. one day, while out with your family, you bump into a fellow malaysian. the person turns to your 20-year-old son and casually asks in english, “hey, where’s your hometown?”

your son replies, “brooklyn, NY.”

now pause and think, how would that make you feel?

is it wrong? not really. he was born and raised there. but still… something about that answer hits differently.

now imagine the question was phrased another way:

“do you know about your hometown?” or
“did your dad ever tell you about your hometown?”

that small change reveals something deeper. a connection to roots, to stories, to identity.

maybe then, you’ll begin to understand how we feel about the word “hometown.” it’s more than just a place. it’s a part of who we are.