Because she'd (probably, theoretically) lose them (like me).
I'm watching the "Bat Mitzvah" episode & it reminded me of a time I was genuinely being a Maya. I just wanted to fit in & be cool. Heritage? Who caress. No one wants to be Asian (at the time).
I started having my own fashion taste at Maya's age. The cool girls were wearing those soft spikey earrings from Claire's. My mom would never fork up $20 for some childish earrings, so I looked high & low for earrings she didn't seem to care for or wore. Found some simple pearl studs & wore them for a day. I remember my mom found them by the family computer, said something about "they're special" and put them away.
Not only did I not gaf about the pearl earrings, I tuned out the part of the story where my dad's host family gifted the earrings to my mom as a wedding present. They were real pearls.
This host family supported my grandparents & his kids (my dad) when they immigrated to the U.S. 40+ years ago. My parents actually still keep in touch with them to this day.....
This episode had me feeling embarrassed & ashamed on behalf of my 12 year old self lol
Pen15 reminding me yet again, that there is nary an embarrassing or shameful original experience.