Chaldean Cuisine

In Fish Cheeks by Amy Tan, a girl expresses her shame in her culture and her embarrassment of her family's traditions. She was ashamed of the "Chinese food" and the "strange menu" that her mother prepared for her and I can also relate to this (Tan 94). When I was younger my mom would always pack me Chaldean food for lunch, which I loved by the way. However, the awkward stares and questions about "what are you eating..." outweighed my own joy to bring it to school. Now that I am older my mom will still occasionally pack me Chaldean food, but I try hiding it because it isn't worth receiving the questions and stares. I also have relatives that speak way to loud for no apparent reason which always embarrasses me in front of my friends. I can relate to Tan's life in many aspects and after reading the piece, I've realized that I shouldn't be ashamed of my heritage because it is in fact what make me unique from everyone else. Also, like they said "Your only shame is to have shame" (95). I just hope I can realize that like Tan's mother, my own mother was just trying to give me everything I loved for lunch.