Janey

my experience has been that most immigrants and particularly visible minorities tend to aggregate, or to use a geographic but not politically correct term, ghettoize. This is due to the desire to associate with compatriots, common roots, language, facilities such as groceries or drop-in centres. what have you. I see this all around me here. groups of Somalians, Viets, Chinese, Italians, Greeks. All making their own little -towns.

Usually this is a big city feature because of the natural tendency to locate in an urban area due to the opportunities presented. I'm not sure what Wasau is like, but if it is small town like, then this ghettoization will stick out like a sore thumb. In a big city, a multitude of foreign languages, characteristic neighbourhoods add to the charm. In the less urban outskirts, its tantamount to shouting out: "I'm different! I don't belong!" (believe me, the number of times that I've walked into a restaurant in small town Ontario, to have everybody hush up and look at me, I know what is to be on the outside looking in. And I was born here...)

I'm sure if the Hmong had their druthers, they wouldn't have chosen Wasau in the first place, but maybe it was the location that was originally sold to them as attractive. Now, you have critical mass, and a reason for new arrivals to go there.

It is difficult too, to leave your homeland, and learn EVERYTHING at once. (re-watch Lost in Translation, that recent Bill Murray movie where he is in Japan). But when you don't fit in, and can't find a decent job, and are too cool to hang with your parents, well, youth gangs are here in Toronto too.

On a related note: My theory on bad chinese drivers? Most of them here come from Hong Kong, where they drive on the wrong side of the road. Imagine transplanting a lifetime of reflexes to our mode of driving. Never mind the language of the signs!