Fried Rice Isn't Chinese?!?

When you hear the word “Chinese”, what is the first thing you think of? Yellow? Super-smart? Dumplings? You most likely thought of something stereotypical right?  There are dozens if not hundreds of stereotypes ad misconceptions surrounding the Chinese ethnicity. So many, that not even I, a Chinese person myself, can name them all. Though I will admit, some of these stereotypes hold some truth, the majority are entirely incongruent with the actual Chinese culture and people.

                I have always found it amusing when, on the first day of school, many teachers assume that my friend Karen and I are related. As they run through the first roll call of the year, there is always at least one teacher who pauses at our names and asks,” Oh. Are you related?” Though I am not offended by this, I can’t help but think, “How is it that you automatically assume that? You didn't ask the two Smiths on the other side of the room if they were related…” In China, the surname “Zhang” is the most common last name, much like the surname “Smith” here in America. The day that there isn't at least one Zhang in each American public school is pretty much the day of the apocalypse.

                Another common misconception is about our food. You might like to go to P.F. Chang’s on the weekend for some “authentic Chinese food”, but you are sorely mistaken. Those spring rolls and General Tsao’s Chicken that are so popular here aren't even eaten in China. When my family and I went to a Chinese restaurant and my sister was thinking about ordering spring rolls, the waitress whispered in Chinese, “Oh don’t get those, those are just for the Americans.”  Frankly, it is a tad surprising that anyone (not pointing fingers here but you know who you are) would think that Chinese people eat fried rice and dumplings every day.  Americans don’t eat burgers and fries every day do they? Also, I’d hate to burst your bubble, but fortune cookies weren't even invented in China, much less eaten there.

                Despite the mild ranting I just did about only a few of the many stereotypes that exist, these stereotypes actually do not anger me. If someone came up to me and mentioned something stereotypical of Chinese people or culture, I would just laugh and correct them. I understand that people cannot know everything about China. It is on the other side of the world after all. I am not deluded enough to think that all of these stereotypes can be eradicated. There will always be misconceptions about other cultures, but I would like to help educate people, even if it is only a few, about true Chinese culture and hopefully bring about a deeper understanding of the Chinese people.