--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am an American, steeped in American…" description: "\"I am an American, steeped in American values. But I know on an emotional level what it means to be of the Chinese culture.\" — Amy Tan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d4c/amy-tan-730_am_i-am-an-american-steeped-in-american-val_174658.jpg" --- # I am an American, steeped in American values. But I know… ![“I am an American, steeped in American values. But I know on an emotional level what it means to be of the Chinese culture.” quote by Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d4c/amy-tan-730_am_i-am-an-american-steeped-in-american-val_174658.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d4c/amy-tan-730_am_i-am-an-american-steeped-in-american-val_174658.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d4c/amy-tan-730_am_i-am-an-american-steeped-in-american-val_174658.jpg) > “I am an American, steeped in American values. But I know on an emotional level what it means to be of the Chinese culture.” [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker embraces both American and Chinese cultural identities, recognizing emotional connections across national boundaries. **In simple terms:** Feeling ties to two cultures. Key Takeaway Honor both cultural roots. Themes identity culture dual heritage emotional awareness Mood reflective thoughtful Type personal cultural. When to use this quote - family gatherings - international work - multicultural education Key Concepts cultural hybridity cross‑cultural empathy Questions to Reflect On - How do you navigate cultural expectations? - What aspects of each culture enrich you? A Different Perspective Balancing two cultures can create internal conflict. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-values/) [Chinese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinese/) [Chinese culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinese-culture/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Emotional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotional/) [Emotional level](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotional-level/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [I need to talk about Chinese culture. We have deep, strong philosophy and culture. I want to share some information, tell the worldwide audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jet-li/i-need-to-talk-about-chinese-culture-we-have-deep-strong-philosophy/) [Jet Li](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jet-li/) > [Chinese culture in general is not very religious. Confucianism is more a code of ethics than a religion, and ancestor worship is a way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-henry-hwang/chinese-culture-in-general-is-not-very-religious-confucianism-is-more/) [David Henry Hwang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-henry-hwang/) > [Because of the Chinese culture of obedience, you don't ask questions... You follow and obey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/because-of-the-chinese-culture-of-obedience-you-don-t-ask-questions/) [Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) > [There's nothing in Chinese culture that is an equivalent of the geisha. It's so different, so special to Japan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-nothing-in-chinese-culture-that-is-an-equivalent-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Its a wonderful thing to see a segment of our population that is open and eager to learn more about Chinese culture. It has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-chang/its-a-wonderful-thing-to-see-a-segment-of-our-population-that-is-open/) [Iris Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-chang/) > [At the beginning of my career as a writer, I felt I knew nothing of Chinese culture. I was writing about emotional confusion with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/at-the-beginning-of-my-career-as-a-writer-i-felt-i-knew-nothing-of/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [The American people know Joe Biden. They know his values. They know what he stands for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-biden/the-american-people-know-joe-biden-they-know-his-values-they-know/) [Jill Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-biden/) > [I have certain values. I know where I come from. I am a hard worker. 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Once you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-m-kouzes/before-you-can-be-a-leader-of-others-you-need-to-know-clearly-who-you/) [James M. Kouzes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-m-kouzes/) > [Everybody has values. Now, you know it may be formed in a secular setting, it may be formed in an intellectual setting, but everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-brownback/everybody-has-values-now-you-know-it-may-be-formed-in-a-secular/) [Sam Brownback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-brownback/) ## More by Amy Tan > [So sad! This is the saddest part when you lose someone you love- that person keeps changing. And later you wonder, Is this the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/so-sad-this-is-the-saddest-part-when-you-lose-someone-you-love-that/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [Too many good things all seem the same after a while.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/too-many-good-things-all-seem-the-same-after-a-while/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“bad, how likely is it to come”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/bad-how-likely-is-it-to-come/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“A mother is always the beginning. She is how things begin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/a-mother-is-always-the-beginning-she-is-how-things-begin/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [Shanghainese people are good negotiators, they're very persistent, and you grow up in an atmosphere like that - very competitive. 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Your tears do not wash away your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/now-you-see-said-the-turtle-drifting-back-into-the-pond-why-it-is/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [I hid my deepest feelings so well I forgot where I placed them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/i-hid-my-deepest-feelings-so-well-i-forgot-where-i-placed-them/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“Lebih baik jadi orang yang TIDAK TERLUPAKAN daripada orang yang MEMBOSANKAN -”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/lebih-baik-jadi-orang-yang-tidak-terlupakan-daripada-orang-yang/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [After all, Bao Bomu says, what is the past but what we choose to remember?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/after-all-bao-bomu-says-what-is-the-past-but-what-we-choose-to/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [We all become different readers in how we respond to books, why we need them, what we take from them. We become different in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/we-all-become-different-readers-in-how-we-respond-to-books-why-we/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“I was no longer scared. I could see what was inside me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/i-was-no-longer-scared-i-could-see-what-was-inside-me/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [When I go back and read my journals or fiction, I am always surprised. I may not remember having those thoughts, but they still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/when-i-go-back-and-read-my-journals-or-fiction-i-am-always-surprised/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“I am ashamed she is ashamed. 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When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I am on sabbatical as of right now, been too busy to think of about my OWN needs as of late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-diamond/i-am-on-sabbatical-as-of-right-now-been-too-busy-to-think-of-about-my/) [Jim Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-diamond/) > [I am strongly opposed to any form of amnesty, including, especially, executive amnesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-scalise/i-am-strongly-opposed-to-any-form-of-amnesty-including-especially/) [Steve Scalise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-scalise/) > [I am no different from a lot of people. I am concerned for the future of my children and concerned for the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/i-am-no-different-from-a-lot-of-people-i-am-concerned-for-the-future/) [John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/) > [I won't be managing the Mets. I am closing the door on managing the Mets and probably everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-torre/i-won-t-be-managing-the-mets-i-am-closing-the-door-on-managing-the/) [Joe Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-torre/) > [I know who I am. I know what I represent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cora/i-know-who-i-am-i-know-what-i-represent/) [Alex Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cora/) > [I am fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-am-fortunate/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) Darlene Senger > [Acting is what I do with who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-walter/acting-is-what-i-do-with-who-i-am/) [Harriet Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-walter/) > [I am a big outliner. For my adult book, 'The Visibles,' I did not outline, and it took me two years to write because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-shepard/i-am-a-big-outliner-for-my-adult-book-the-visibles-i-did-not-outline/) [Sara Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-shepard/) Browse all 9,589 Am quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I am an American, steeped in American values. 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