Having grown up in a multicultural household, with friends from a variety of different countries that speak just as wide a range of languages, it is easy to spot a few stereotypical trademarks of American children raised by immigrants. This list is the culmination of traits I have noticed throughout my own life, the lives of friends, and the lives of strangers over the years. Without further ado, here are 12 signs you were raised in a foreign family:

1. Substitute teachers could never pronounce your name when calling roll.

2. Having to explain slang to parents.

3. Good grades in school are top priority.

4. Missing school for religious or cultural holidays and conferences.

5. The women are always talking crap about people in front of them, but in another language.

6. Having a lot of people in one household because that’s normal in other cultures.

7. Not wanting to take medicine, go to the doctor, or anything of the sort when sick.

8. No shoes in the house. Ever.

9. All kinds of crazy superstitions.

10. You grew up respecting elders because if you didn’t you’d get threatened with being sent back to “the motherland”.

11. Dodging kissing every person "hello" and "goodbye" at parties.

12. Knowing that your American lifestyle is a great departure from that of most of the world’s, and appreciating the sacrifices your parents have made to raise you in the land of opportunity.