Chinese and American Cultures and Family Eating

Describe an experience of cultural difference, positive or negative, you have had or observed. What did you learn from it?

My friends were always a little surprised when they came to my house for dinner as I was when I went to theirs. My family follows the traditional Chinese eating style which is family style and when my friends came over they felt it was odd that my family sat together and shared dishes for every meal. When I went to my American friends houses for dinner I would find myself getting food for myself like at a small buffet and seeing members of the family getting food and eating at different times, usually taking their plate with them to their rooms. This difference between the Chinese family style meals and the American self-portion meals stems from the different values each culture places on family.

The difference in eating styles can be seen in restaurants today. In a traditional Chinese restaurant like the Ho Ho Gourmet, a family orders a few dishes and shares them. Because of this Chinese restaurants serve dishes that are laid out on large platters and give each family member an empty plate to fill with the choices on the table. Traditional American restaurants such as Applebee's each member of the family the option to order their own dish and meals are commonly served in baskets or plates that fit only the individual's portion.

In China staying with the family is an important part of life and is a common tradition. Many families live close to or with each other even as their children are adults. Children are taught to stay close with the family and to take on secure, traditional roles as a profession. These ideals of the Chinese differ from Americans in that Americans strive to raise children who will become independent and successful adults. Independence is more valued in the American home and the idea of living close to or with parents or relatives as an adult is undesirable to most.

The difference in family structure and roles of Asian and American culture has also shaped each culture's eating customs. There is a Chinese saying that in English literally translates to "If your parents are alive, don't travel far". In China it is common for three generations to live under the safe roof and many see living with and caring for elderly family members as a respectful thing to do. In American culture, children are encouraged to leave the nest and become dependent on themselves rather than live with their parents.

I equally enjoy the option I have of eating family style and being able to choose what I want at restaurants. Each way of eating is important to me, family style in that I can be with my whole family for that time and I can have a wide variety of foods on a single plate and individual orders in that I can choose what I want and the meal is completely mine. I appreciate both styles of eating and am thankful that I have the Asian American background that offers me individuality and family tradition.

thanks for reading kids, i will try to get back to your essays if asked

Fix these errors:

My friends were always a little surprised when they came to my house for dinner as I was when I went to theirs.

Grammar problem..My friends were always as surprised when they came to my house for dinner as I was when I went to theirs would make more sense.

Make your 3rd and 4th paragraphs more anecdotal. Maybe your grandma lives in your house, or maybe when you went to China for a visit and stayed in a relatives house with a bunch of people.

Good essay, I know exactly what you're trying to say. Part of that is because I'm Chinese as well! Check over my essay as well, please. It's the one on Calvin and Hobbes.