Amy

Simply, life is an experience that sometimes teaches us precious lessons and we should appreciate them. Life is way different from doing an exam or a test because first we experience it, and then we learn from the lessons that it gives us. In contrast, in tests and exams, we review lessons we have already learned. Afterwards, we apply those experiences in order to benefit us in the future. As a matter of fact, when something is being applied to us personally, it is more beneficial and useful; therefore, it will be an unforgettable lesson and learnable. Some experiences and learned lessons could help people feel more confident in their daily life, such as feeling proud of their culture and origins like Amy Tan, who wrote “Fish Cheeks.” When people have shame about being different from other people around them, this actually generates guilt for them. This is defined as a painful or embarrassing emotion, which is exactly what happened to Amy.

In “Fish Cheeks,” Amy is a fourteen year old Chinese American girl who fell in love with someone whose culture, nationality, customs and even origins were different from hers. Her family had invited this boy with his family, whose father was a minister, to their home. Her mother had outdone herself in arranging Chinese dishes for her guests. Amy was agitated, anxious and overthinking the situation because her American boy crush, who was expecting a variety of American dishes, would be disappointed when he saw different plates of Chinese food on the table. She was aggravated because of her relatives, as well, who were also invited and lacked the American manners. It was the worst, most awful dinner she had ever had. However, many years later, she realized her mother’s words, “you must be proud y...

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...ted by other people. We should consider situations like these crucial because if someone dared and tried to offend our practices, that means he is insulting our families and past generations, too.

To sum up, culture defines peoples’ identities, and every community or cultural groups of people have their own values, behaviors, and styles of living. Food and styles of celebrations are parts of peoples’ culture as well as heritage. They have their own different practices and unique habits. Indeed, culture influences our views, values and even fears. It is considered a part of a person’s life as well as it shapes the person’s character. It also enhances people’s understanding of their world to see it according to the community where were raised.

Works Cited

Tan, Amy. “Fish Cheeks.” Stories in English. Ed. David Jones. New York: Scribners, 1987. 35-37.