Am I more Chinese or American?

I found the discussion about the different names of the Japanese American generations very interesting because while there are not specific names for each generation in Chinese, there are distinguishable qualities of each. I am a first generation Chinese American, but I according to my parents I exhibit many characteristics of the second, third, or forth generation.

Language is a major factor; while I am fluent in English (including reading, writing, speaking, and understanding) I can only understand and speak Cantonese. Not being able to read and write it, despite many afternoons at Chinese school, is a sign that I did not receive the full dose of education in China. My parents always made an effort throughout my secondary education to have my sister and I speak only Chinese at home. To them it was extremely important to be able to communicate with not only themselves, but the rest of our family and friends as well.

Mannerism is the other big factor. I think it is fair to say that I have adopted and became accustomed to the American way of life. That includes what I like to eat to how I greet different people. The nickname that my family gave my cousins, who are also "Americanized", and I was the "ABCs". They were referring to the English language and used it to represent the entire American culture. Knowing how being apart of each generation has affected me makes me curious to know how it affected other Asian Americans.