Amy is profoundly embarrassed at dinner by her family's actions, the unusual food served to their guests, and her father's belching after the meal.
The Sources of Amy's Discomfort at the Dinner Table
Amy's acute feelings of embarrassment during dinner stem from a combination of cultural clashes and social anxieties. These experiences are particularly heightened due to the presence of guests, making her acutely aware of perceived differences and potentially awkward customs.
Specifically, her embarrassment is rooted in the following aspects:
-
Her Family's Behavior: Amy feels a strong sense of shame concerning her own family. This likely pertains to their mannerisms, conversation, or overall conduct during the meal, which she perceives as being out of place or unconventional when viewed through the eyes of their guests. The presence of visitors seems to amplify her self-consciousness regarding her family's habits and interactions.
-
The Food Served: A significant source of mortification for Amy is the dinner itself. The specific types of food presented, particularly fish cheeks, cause her considerable distress. This discomfort suggests that the cuisine is either unfamiliar or unappealing to her, and perhaps more importantly, that she fears it might be poorly received or seen as strange by the guests. The exotic nature of certain dishes, like fish cheeks, stands out as a key factor in her embarrassment.
-
Her Father's Belching: After the main meal, her father's act of belching further exacerbates Amy's embarrassment. Despite her father's explanation that this is a polite Chinese custom intended to show satisfaction with the meal, Amy's mortification persists. Her inability to reconcile this cultural custom with her own social expectations or the perceived norms of her guests contributes significantly to her discomfort.
These elements combine to create a challenging and embarrassing dinner experience for Amy, highlighting a clash between cultural traditions and her personal desire for social acceptance.
