Final answer:
The Chinese typically view fortune cookies with surprise as they originated in America, inspired by Japanese treats. Chinese-American dishes have been adapted to American palates. Chinese immigrants faced significant discrimination in the US but assimilated through avenues like cuisine, which Jennifer 8. Lee likens it to an open-source program.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reaction of Chinese to fortune cookies is often one of surprise, as these treats are not a traditional Chinese custom but rather an American invention, possibly inspired by Japanese crackers. They were popularized in the US as a form of dessert in Chinese restaurants. American Chinese dishes, including chop suey, General Tso's chicken, and others, differ significantly from traditional Chinese cuisine. They are often sweeter, heavier, and more meat-centric than the more balanced and diverse flavors found in China.
Upon arrival in the US during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Chinese immigrants faced severe discrimination. They were subject to physical violence, legislative exclusion, and social ostracism, particularly during periods of economic downturn when they were scapegoated for job shortages.
The adaptation of Chinese food in America may represent a pattern of assimilation and integration, where the cuisine has been modified to fit American tastes but also acts as a bridge between cultures. Jennifer 8. Lee has suggested that Chinese food is akin to an open-source computer program because it is highly adaptable and can be modified by anyone, leading to innovation and widespread popularity.