Fresh off the boat

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Fresh off the boat (or "F.O.B.") is a term that is commonly used when immigrants from a foreign nation have not yet assimilated the host nation's culture, language, and behavior. Assimilation to the host nation's culture is not a certainty; there are historical examples of a foreign nation assimilating a host nation (ex. Sinicization or Romanization). The five pillars that are commonly associated with being a "FOB" are fashion, social preferences (i.e. cultural activities, cuisine, and religious practices), behavior toward others, knowledge of multiple dialects, and accents.

In the sociology of ethnicity, this term can be seen as an indicator of a nature of diasporic communities, or communities that have left their country of origin and have migrated, usually permanently, to another country. A split can occur in such communities between those who have assimilated or acclimated in their host countries and those who still cling to their native culture. The usage of "FOBs" is often used by the former group to differentiate themselves from the latter. Often this difference is a result of a generation gap, where the sons and daughters of immigrants born and immersed in the culture of their host country develop an identity distinct from their parents or recent immigrants.

The term also has been adapted by immigrants themselves or others in their community who instead see the differentiation as a source of pride, where they have retained their culture and have not lost it to assimilation. In some instances, people who have assimilated or acclimated into their host country still identify themselves as a "FOB" to show they have not assimilated completely. "FOBS" are often found with heavy accents, and are sometimes the object of ridicule.


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