An elderly Chinese woman and a group of millennial roomies make for one unlikely friendship | A-Yi
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- After years of partying and living together, the young residents of the "Whale House" in East Vancouver have learned their landlord is selling the property and they'll have to move out. But how do they tell A-Yi? #CBCShortDocs #A-Yi
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As long as they’ve lived in their shared home, A-Yi (Cantonese for Auntie) has been a fixture of their daily lives. The elderly Chinese woman started out looking for a spot to store her buggy and collectibles, but over the years she began to grow vegetables in their backyard and forged a strong bond with these housemates, despite no shared language.
Can the roommates overcome the language barrier to tell A-Yi that they are moving and that she will probably lose access to their space? And what will happen to her when they're gone?
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Oh man, I was on the verge of tears until "9 Months Later" popped up and I saw that Auntie continues to garden at the house. A good group of people left and a good group of people moved in.
Oh gosh - I teared up reading your comment. I loved the way you phrased it - good people indeed!
cool!
and with a bunch of Irish people, which means lots of beer cans for her lol
No joke! me to man.
I know! Me too. I was about to cry until I saw that it had a happy ending.
"ahh no worries mate, thats cucumber, our chinese grandma
yeah, she came with the house pretty sweet deal"
I'm going to hell aughing for this
chinese grandma is the best of all grandmas, no objection accepted.
@@711jastin Hell ya!
I wonder if the landlord knows about her lol. Would be nice if he does, then maybe tell future renters in advance about her.
"I'm Cucumber's slave for the cans."
Cucumber has to be the cutest nickname ever lol. What a sweet bunch of people they are both old and new tenants. Warms my heart.
I'm sure this means a lot for her. That garden is probably her own little piece of Taishan and the life she left behind in China.
why you do dis to me :(
This video reminded me of my own grandparents who were from the Taishan region of southern China and immigrated to the US in the 1940's.. Most of the earliest chinese immigrants to the US were from this poor agricultural region. Many immigrants left family behind with the intent of either returning there someday or bringing the rest of the family once they were settled. Unfortunately most of them never returned but always retained the dream and the memories of home. Farming and gardening were always a big part of their lives. Growing veggies and fruit were always something they loved.
@@TheBignutscracker yeah sadly many of our Taishan ancestors never went back home. Not from a lack of trying, but the life of earning money abroad and just struggling didn't award them that opportunity. Some did manage to go back home of course, but for those that couldn't some managed to get their wives or children over and many sent what money they earned back home.
I've been in the U.S.A for 35 years, came when I was 5 from Taishan with my family. I've only been back one time, back in 2000. I missed home when I first came here, adapting to a new country and environment was very hard for the first year or two. Even though I came at such a young age I still have very fond memories of my village life back in TS, our farms, and just the rural life style...and it is true what the OP above posted. Any pot or plot thats empty and myself or my family has access to. We will plant something. Whether it be string beans, garlic, or even some flowers. We just love seeing things grow and tending to them I suppose? Something I grew up watching my mom doing when she tended our field back home.
That is exactly what I was thinking.
@@dannykuang9433 感谢您···让我看到了··如此 温暖的人生画面·······
The majority of Chinese from the older generations have this habit of hoarding stuff. They have lived the hardest time of China (which was very weak and poor, unlike its general impression now) and they earned the habit of recycling things as much as possible. Even though China is now much more modern and some what developed, my grandparents still live the way like they were poor. I often tell them to treat themselves better, buy better clothes or eat out once in a while. But they said they don't want to waste the money they've been saving up for my future wedding (even though I am still single). My grandparents are satisfied with their life and the way they live. They don't squander things like the newer generations. They are saving up things not only for themselves, but also for their children and grandchildren. They are truly selfless and caring. I tried many times to convince them to live in Canada, but after knowing that they are much happier living in China, I pretty much gave up the idea and fly over whenever I have time instead.
awwww =) thanks for sharing
Oh bless you! You sound like a lovely and grateful grandchild.
My Grand mother was the same way she grew up durring the depression and she saved every penny and saved every last thing and never threw anything away ever. She also worked her fingers to the bone
If they live in Canada they may feel lonely
My grandparents are the same way.
I feel like the world would be better if every millennial party house had a "a-yi". We can learn a lot from the elders and they would be less lonely.
Haha facts, everybody would win. Old people are awesome.
yes for sure.
ITPCD and we too would be
I was thinking that too! She's there every day because she gets to tend her garden AND see others who are kind to her.
Renta granny? 🤔
my grandma gets up early to tend her garden just like her. i asked her why she started so early. i wasn't ready for her answer she gave me. "I wake up early because if you are old and sleep too long, you don't know if you will wake up."
damn
Thank you for sharing this with me, that is very true. But, for any age, but especially the elderly...:)
I don't know if that's every older adult's reason, but people over 60 definitely wake up earlier than younger folks.
@@brandondavidson4085
That's because they go to bed earlier. If you go to bed at 8 or 9 it is easy to get up at 6 am. Party all night sleep all day it is that simple. I'm over sixty and can tell you that what time I get up depends on what time I go to bed. I usually stay up late so wake up later.
Anyone notice that in the credits the Whale House has changed to the Cucumber House? How sweet.
Cucumber Palace lol
The Cucumber Palace! That NAME gives me such joy! They named the house after their nickname for her! Love this!!!
@@sapphirexwind lolo
Even in Chinese, she has difficulties in fully expressing herself. Her sentences are choppy and incoherent. It seems like she hasn't conversed with other people in a long time. Canada can be a lonely place for elderly. It is harder for them to adapt to a new environment and find new friends. I hope the Chinese community in Vancouver sees this video and connect her with other senior residents in the area who speak her dialect. She's so gentle and soft. When the house is gone, she will have not much else to occupy her time with. I get sad thinking about how lonely she will be when that happens.
she is speaking in a mix of Taishan and hong kong Cantonese.
It kind of seems like she might be simplifying her sentences because the translator is speaking in Cantonese and might not get the nuances of the dialect. My grandparents do the same thing where they speak a mixture when they're in commonly Cantonese spaces (like the bakeries or markets), where Cantonese speakers have a hard time understanding Toisan. Also the rhythm of her speech is typical of the dialect, especially when telling a long story. This is the same way my mom and grandma would talk on the phone to someone for hours.
In the city i'm living, our foochow is 50% foochow mixed up with 50% of ALL dialects and languages spoken in the region, so messed only those who lives in the region understand.
It's ok, she spoke to the young men through the language of gardening
@@akui88 yeah i was just about to say, it doesnt sound choppy she is just speaking Cantonese
This is so touching! My late mom was born a farmer in a poor village in China. She used to grow vegetable in whatever soil she could find. She passed away a year before I could buy a home with a nice backyard.
Broke my heart a little when she said she felt nothing after a while in Vancouver she just got used to it... But so cute and glad she found a new backyard to grow veggies :) so cute. She's got gumption
This is very common, I'm from the area she is and countless family friends her age that moved to western countries longed to go home, some do, some just swallowed it and stayed.
I have to wonder why she didn't go back home when she told her daughter she wanted to, or why her daughter wasn't part of the documentary? It seems like the aunty doesn't have anyone to be with or talk to. Where is her daughter? :(
I have the feeling this might be a shared experience for many who immigrated around that time; I do wish A YI didn't have to sacrifice leaving a community/way of life back home to be with her family....
@@sicelliatsui5148 I can't make sense of a daughter who wants her (elderly) mother to move to a different country where she doesn't know anyone and the daughter doesn't have her move in with them. That is not any Asian family to do such a thing. The 30-40 somethings really treated her well and as part of their daily lives. Kudo's to those men. Love to all :)
@James Wang I think community is important for everyone. There's an older Japanese community over in Japan that is very self sufficient and long-lived. Part of the reason is the sense of community and physical activity that keeps them all busy and happy
Stories like this make me proud to be a Canadian, that's what being Canadian is all about. It just shows we have so much we can learn from each other and so much we can learn about ourselves. This is a great story in a troubling time, it helps to remind us who we are and what we can be.
Took this comment right from my mouth! 🇨🇦🇨🇳
Canadian boys kick ass too (ok, & an Irish guy as well)
well said man
@@BluezzEh Canadian too... Do you even realize that you have in 2 successive sentences contradictory statements? Kind and decent v crap, alt-right v tolerant. Is it just me or logic is something we don't actually use these days
As a naturalized Chinese Canadian I can't agree more.
"Hopefully someone who drinks as much as we do moves in, so we can continue this can train".....
In walk 2 Irishman.
The world is supposed to be like this full of kind people. I love these young guys. And A-yi reminded me of my neighbor,
Such sweet/kind/caring individuals!
God bless ya'll!!
I'm so glad the new tenants are just as kind as the old ones and let her have the garden!
Good on you boys for letting that sweet lady into your lives. I think you all gained from this kindness.
Oh my goodness - 17 minutes of chuckles and tears. As a 2nd Gen Chinese Cdn, I see parts of my deceased mother, in-laws, aunts and cousins all rolled into A-Yi. Thank you residents of Whale House for being so easy-going with her. A more uptight group would have been so turned off - You clearly made her days, and I hope you never lose that quirky kindness. You were the types of Canadians that used to make my mother laugh and feel welcome as she adjusted to this strange country :-)
I'm Chinese American but I could relate to this too. Kindness knows no boundaries. We used to have neighbors of all types and my parents didn't always understand one another, but you know kindness when you see it. :)
aww Canadian dudes are so chill and nice. By allowing her to connect to a small patch of land, it saved her sanity, something that's in her blood and soul. Not just sweet but important story.
That was such a sweet story. I am so glad A-Yi connected with such a good bunch of guys.
Only in Canada.
C0NDEV1L True Ehhhh!!!!
阿姨真棒。
The A-Yi is great.
I hope more friendship is shared like this not hate.
She's speaking a mixture of Taishanese and Canto.
i was super confused, cause i heard a bit of canto but half the stuff i didnt know what she was saying. reminds me of my grand parents
Thanks... I was just about to ask about the dialect.
This is exactly like my grandparents who are originally from Taishan and then immigrated to Hong Kong during the 2nd sino war, so they also speak a mixture of both
I can't believe I found a video with someone speaking Taishanese. I had to do a double take when she first started talking :/
I knew it was a bit off
My family is from Taishan as well and had a similar upbringing as Ah Yee. I feel happy that she has found a place to do her gardening, to help her feel a little more at home in Vancouver. Every time I hear elders speaking in Taishanese, it makes me smile. The classic, "I'm boiling soup at home..." excuse. :)
Makes me smile too! Not many young people speak it anymore, sadly.
lol. when she said that...i had to laugh. I just knew that had to come up. One of those soups that takes like 3-4 hours to just slowly boil.
Many elderly have trouble eating solid food that's why the eat allot of soup
My nana was from Guangdong as well. When I was born, she quit her job to stay home and take care of me so my mom could go back to work. She passed away in 2016. This video brings it all back for me. I still love her. I miss her. Cherish the moments you have with your elderly family and friends while you can. Ask all the questions you can. Because if you don't, and they pass away, you'll regret not taking the chance to talk to them more.
Veri beautiful account, thanks for that
I feel you. My parents are from Thailand and Laos. Growing up my parents worked all the time and my grandmother raised us. She was a mean but fair and raised us the only way she knew how. I didn't ask her a lot of questions growing up because she didn't like to talk about her past or her feelings. When I took off to college, she started developing Alzheimer's before she passed in her sleep. Whenever I see stories like this or read people's comments about their relationship with their Asian parents/relatives, it makes me regret not taking the chance to break unspoken cultural rules. So yeah, guys. Talk to 'em.
My grandpa was from Guandong. He was a master craftsman and chef. He used to make dragon kites for my big brother and I and all sorts of homemade toys and whatnot. His recipes have been passed down to my father (sadly his siblings were not interested) then to my brother and I. When I feel low or had a bad day, I choose to cook from one of his recipes and it just makes everything better.
thanks for sharing your family memory
My great grandmother's family was also from China, but she never talked about them, so I don't know much. We also called her nana, but it's confusing for others since it actually means grandmother in Mexico, not sure about other places. Among her great grandchildren and even the few great great grandchildren she met, we all refer to her as nana ☺️ she passed away in 2016 as well
She assimilated to Mexican culture, so a lot of the foods she made were a fusion of Chinese and Mexican recipes, some were her own invention. Whenever my aunts and uncles find some traditional Chinese dish, they're like, "oh! That's what my nana would make for us!" And to finally find the origin of a mysterious dish was always fun lol
Unfortunately, no one wrote down the dishes or recipes.
Wow. Thank you for making a such beautiful film. Your heart just as kind as A Yi
Not Chinese, but a Korean grandpa. He didn't speak English, and non of the workers spoke Korean, (though I studied really hard and learned a couple of phrases and many words). We worked together in a supermarket. His wife would make dinner for him and myself. When I stopped working there, I knitted a scarf as a thank you for all the meals. He was really nice; though, I got the wrist slap more times than I can count! XD
This actually made me teared up a bit because she's so nice and wholesome but when that the time comes, she might not return and everyone will be wondering where she is = (
Damn it, camtasia! 💔
They've kind of picked up on her morning routine, so I'm sure if something does happen, they'll know right away. She's older...they'll be aware of complications if they do arise. I hope that doesn't come any time soon though and she lives a life that she has found worthwhile.
The new people that moved into the house also let her continue to tend her garden. All's well that ends well.
Wow, here is a great example of opposite cultures living in tolerance and diversity and getting by with very little conversation. Wonderful to see this. ♥️
Quite touching for these guys to be friendly and kind to a foreign old lady who appears to have no one to talk to most of the time.
Whose cold, dead heart downvoted this docu?
This may be one of the sweetest grandmothers I have ever seen.
This story was so touching. Please have an update on A-Yi in the future! Many of us would love to see her again, I hope she gets to continue using that garden forever.
Well for once UA-cam algorithm did well. Such a beautiful, well told story. Everyone, in these confusing and crazy times need to watch this. I am in awe of how much film making can affect a person, again, thank you for this! Great job :)
Oh my goodness so adorable! What a harmonious relationship!!!
I came across this late night-I wept such happy tears! So glad the new tenants are welcoming her too! Great story..THANKS!
Awe.. these guys are so nice to her. 😊 This made me cry. I guess whenever I hear and see an elderly Chinese lady, I think of either of my 'Pwapwa's" I'm so glad she was able to keep her garden with the new guys
Love how sweet this story is 😊
I love this story so much. My family is also from Taishan and I can understand a lot of A-Yi's sentiments.
I don't understand why this video dosen't have millions of views, it gets me sad 😭
this is so wholesome. I'm gonna cry. Finally watching something about the young in North America being so nice to an old Chinese grandma. It just shows you that language isn't a difficult barrier to cross if you're sincere and open-minded.
A sweet story. I am glad the new tenants are allowing A-Yi to continuing with her gardening. It reminds me of the garden my father planted every year using scraps of twigs and twine to build a climbing fence for the vegetables. He enjoyed it because like A-Yi, I think it reminded them of being back home.
So lovely. A-Yi, who wouldn't want her for a sweet neighbor. I wish you all the best!
I cried through this whole video. Such kind people letting such a beautiful soul - A-Yi do what makes her happy. This really warmed my heart.
Need more stories like this.
I needed a happy ending for this
This is the world that should be. No war, no discrimination, no hates. Love and respect diversity like these people are the key for peace of this world.
Thanks for being kind to her. Because I can assure you that other Asian including her own kind will not let her. Very touched. You young guys have big 💕.
Enjoyed this story very much. Glad the new owners/tenants were kind enough to let her stay and do her thing.
I'm glad that they are keeping Ayi company and getting to know her. She is so cute and the men are so kind. Thank you for a heart warming story
This is such a heartwarming story, my mom side and my grandmother are both from the same village A- Yi and living in Toronto their are many people that also speak the same dialect. I can understand her hardship in finding a purpose in moving to a country and finding a way to make the day pass through working and gardening. My grandma and older folks resort to collecting bottle cans from 10 cents each can and digging through garbage day trashcans just to collect them. I am glad that older and new tenants allowed her to have such a space that she can dedicate too !!! She's so sweet !!!
I wonder where is her daughter?
I'm also curious to know what happened to her daughter!
The sad fact is that many in the newer generation of Chinese are kind of leaving their parents in the dust as the move forward. That old chinese sense of family is being eroded.
From her statement, she actually live in apartment and recycling and farming is just a hobby and not her source of her income.
I think the daughter live nearby or together and still provide her daily necessities
At around 10:00 she said her and her daughter live in a apartment near by. She only does gardening and collecting cans as a hobby and to have something to do, she isn't homeless or anything like that.
We had an A-Yi in Kitsilano too. Never seen so much greenery, fruit and veggies packed in one space! Chayote, beans, peas, tomatoes, honeysuckle for tea to name a few plants.
If the people can live peacefully in your land , you are blessed .
Love this vid, absolute sweetheart and so happy that both groups of young people were happy to let her continue her hobby, cheers from Richmond.
I'm currently living with my family, including my grandmother, and she's been showing me how to plant things in our backyard. My Chinese is not great either, so pointing at plants and talking simply about how they're doing is a way we connect. This video really makes me feel some type of way :")
Loved it! Thank you for sharing.
as a millennial whose also had many very important friendships with my elderly mentors, this made me beyond happy to see, two groups of people with the same love, respect and passion for her, her garden and that wonderful smile. this was beautiful!
I love how an elderly person and young people could live in harmony and accept one another with vast differences...
This made me cry, both happy and sad. We can all live and love together no matter where we are from.
brings me tears. i couldnt help but crying. i am missing my late father. dear god. he was doing all the same things. bring all cans back, doing a wonderful garden. ohh god, i missing him. thanks your VID .
Awww... Bless you! I am sorry for your loss! I'm Canadian, black and this documentary really touched my heart too!
Awww, she ended up with Irish tenants to be with. The Irish grew on farming and seeing this, they probably love someone growing veg etc in a little garden.
How beautiful! There are lots of these little granny’s around. I lived with one too. Blessed souls.
This is gold. She reminds me a lot of my grandmother who rised me and passed away. These people were lucky to have met one another.
How beautiful this friendship is, even with no words in common. How kind they all seem. ❤️
A gentle soul, sums her up perfectly❤️so glad the new tenants are allowing her to continue like before.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍
Seeing that the new tenants welcomed her just as well as the old ones made me cry!!! Love stuff like this!
Such a beautiful soul. I'm so glad she didn't have to leaver her garden. I'm sure there is a guardian angel watching over her
Thank you for being kind to such a sweet soul. I know a lot young people who wouldn't if given the same situation
What a lovely sweet story of friendship across cultures and generations. Thank you for your kindness!
My heart is so full from this! Love this story and the local content.
I ❤ East Van!
The little lady I give cans to brought me 2 giant squash and bbq pork!
I am so happy she can continue to grow her garden and the new tenants are nice as well. I wish her the best.
Tears of joy and celebration. Gentlw souls everyone. Gentle souls
This is so cute
Dam the editing and the artwork in this video are perfect. Such a sweet story. I'm glad she's still doing what she does.
omg i'm literally tearing up this made my week
I'm absolutely in love with this type of content. The Illustrations are a thing of beauty, and added that extra bit of life into the video.
That scene at the table was fantastic, seeing two different sets of values coming to reach a closer understanding to each other! The ending was perfect too, and left warm fuzzy feelings. 10/10
Thank you for making this. We need more stories of compassion and empathy these days
🥰 Loved this story! The guys were all so chill and sweet. PLEASE POST AN UPDATE ABOUT A-YI!! Cheers from Burnaby 😀
I'm so glad the new neighbors let her garden like this was so wholesome God bless her heart and they're heart to this is so cute 😄💞🙏 awww just my heart is all fuzzy from this video
good young people.and i hope my son can be one of them someday when he grow up----kind ,and have a good heart!
Thank you for being so kind to an elderly soul. It's nice to hear stories of this once in a while to balance out the other side. Warms my heart to hear people reach out through the language barrier and cultural differences to get to know our Vancouver Chinese grandmas/aunties, they mean the best in every way.
What a heart warming story. These Canadians are pure gold. Ayi is a gem with a wealth of farming skills.
this actually warmed my heart given everything going on these days - im so glad the tenants didnt stop her from doing what she loves
Aaaaand now I’m crying. Such a beautiful story.
I am so happy that she found a new place to live. Immigration at an old age is real difficult
Such a sweet respite in these times. Do hope she and the others are doing fine.
Loved to see how little language everyone shared but can still convey to one another enough.
It's just so nice to see how very different everyone can be yet still share and come together.
better to ask for forgiveness than permission.....want a garden? put it in until some tells you no....and if they don't, then leave them some veg and a cucumber now and then. Love this.
Wow Rory Tucker! I went to highschool with him, he’s a year younger, but I’ve always loved the guy! What a great human. Hi Rory!
So sweet of you boys too…. I am teas
This is such a wonderful, feel-good documentary. A pick me up everyone needs during this dark and uncertain time. Thank you.
this was just lovely had a big smile on my face the whole time watching this.
It is so nice of you guys. Please keep it up. The world needs people like you you guys! God bless you guys!
I only liked the video because there was no Love button! Loved this video! xxx Thank you!
Sometimes the google algorithm finds a gem for me to watch, almost as much of a gem as A-Yi
Omgosh...I literally had shivers!! This is the sweetest most beautiful and humbling video I have ever seen! This is what will bring us together....oh my people, what peace there could be! I ♥️
this is nice to see. just pure wholesomeness all around
Sooo touching!
Thank so much for recording this great heart-warming story and sharing it with us.
It’s sad that some Chinese want to be close to their parents so they move their elderly to a totally different country turns out they are miserable here. On the other hand, we respected my grandfathers wish didn’t force him to be in the US close to us, he passed without us near his bed during Covid, but he did have a great end of life thats familiar and comfortable. 😢
This is such a happy story! It warmed my heart!