When Chinese first went abroad to make a living, they did so only to improve the family income. Few were truly determined to emigrate. Often the husband would go alone to find work, while the wife and children cared for his parents at home. He'd come back for major events in the family, such as weddings, funerals or the buying of a home.
早期僑胞出洋謀生，只是為了改善家計，真正決心「移民」他鄉的並不多；還有許多情況是僑胞隻身在外打拚，將妻小留在家鄉侍奉老人，承歡膝下；而若是家族中有婚喪喜慶、購屋置產等大事，僑胞也往往不辭顛簸，回鄉探視並團聚。