My dad has a habit of always keeping a tissue or paper towel in his pocket, something he calls the “immigrant napkin.” For most of my life, I’ve done the same without even thinking about it. To me, it represents the immigrant mindset of making the most out of what you have and never wasting anything.
For a long time, I didn’t question the habit. It felt normal—automatic, even. But as I grew older, I began to reflect on why he calls it that and how I unconsciously adopted it myself. I’ve since learned that many immigrants and first-generation children share this same practice, turning something small into a quiet but meaningful symbol of resourcefulness and preparedness.
What seems like a minor, everyday habit carries a deeper significance. It reflects values passed down across generations—adaptability, resilience, and an awareness of scarcity shaped by past experiences. In this way, the “immigrant napkin” becomes more than just a tissue; it becomes a form of inherited memory, a subtle but powerful example of how cultural values are carried forward.
Though small, it holds immense meaning. It shows how even the simplest habits can embody identity, connecting one generation to the next through lived experience and unspoken understanding.
— My sister, Carolyn Toledo
