My (French) mother told me that every third child born into the world was Chinese. Being a third child of entirely Caucasian appearance, I naturally assumed that I was in some way Chinese, and that this would begin to show when I was a bit older. This led to many hours at the local library researching my "heritage", and a lifelong love-affair with Chinese food. I even had a Teach Yourself Mandarin record (45 rpm) with a little booklet containing realistic interactions from Chinese households for me to repeat. Most of these seemed to involve Mrs Wu scolding Mr Wu for not helping more around the house. I was about nine years old before I realised that however hard I studied I would never actually be Chinese. Now in my mid-40s, I'm still coming to terms with the disappointment.
A childhood belief about nationalities

others believed things like this
- I used to think the person who delivered Chinese food came all the way from China to do it.— Savana
- I used to believe when ordering Chinese food the food and delivery man came from China— Dave
- I used to believe that if you touched Chinese people, they would break.— Christian
- i used to believe that euthanasia has something to do with young chinese people— CW
- The Chinese language just had three words: ching, chang, and chong.— MD Caruso
- I used to think that only chinese fat guys can Sum wrestle and that it was illegal if he wasnt asian.— sumo