A culture that's commonly depicted as "different" from the american lifestyle is the Chinese. China in general is on the other side of the globe. The Chinese culture is often berated with stereotypes such as the "tiger" parents and the emphasis on respect for authority. Although they are overused, these kinds of pre-classifications are to some extent, true. Small things like taking off shoes before entering a household, cooking meals at home often, and spending sparingly seem to separate the Chinese ways from our familiar american ones. Growing up in this kind of atmosphere wasn’t exactly painful, it just seemed dissimilar. Often it was things like Chinese New Year (which is today, as I am writing this) that seemed to puzzle my friends, urging them to ask why I did the things I did. It was these things that also made myself question who I was. I most dearly wish that I had been able to read and understand “Fish Cheeks” during my elementary school years, as this would have created an understanding, a knowledge to accept who I was. Although I know now, it was important to learn that my culture was always going to be a part of me and it was part of my purpose to combine it with the culture around me, just as many others have, are, and will do as well.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Who Am I - Fish Cheeks
A culture that's commonly depicted as "different" from the american lifestyle is the Chinese. China in general is on the other side of the globe. The Chinese culture is often berated with stereotypes such as the "tiger" parents and the emphasis on respect for authority. Although they are overused, these kinds of pre-classifications are to some extent, true. Small things like taking off shoes before entering a household, cooking meals at home often, and spending sparingly seem to separate the Chinese ways from our familiar american ones. Growing up in this kind of atmosphere wasn’t exactly painful, it just seemed dissimilar. Often it was things like Chinese New Year (which is today, as I am writing this) that seemed to puzzle my friends, urging them to ask why I did the things I did. It was these things that also made myself question who I was. I most dearly wish that I had been able to read and understand “Fish Cheeks” during my elementary school years, as this would have created an understanding, a knowledge to accept who I was. Although I know now, it was important to learn that my culture was always going to be a part of me and it was part of my purpose to combine it with the culture around me, just as many others have, are, and will do as well.
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As a fellow non-American, I can also the those "small things" you mentioned. Your take on these cultural definitions provides a mythos for many non-Americans, just as Tan's piece did. Good Work!
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