Both China and the United States value family, but their family cultures are actually quite different.

In America, family gatherings are more like an "emotional connection."
Thanksgiving, Christmas, everyone sitting together is not just about eating.
They talk about changes over the year: work, life, confusions, growth, plans.
Elders share experiences, young people express their ideas, and everyone listens, respects, and communicates equally.
Many families also do activities together:
Playing board games, looking at old photos, cooking together, outdoor walks, watching movies, and even discussing life choices and values.
The core is not about what to eat, but about understanding each other, updating emotions, and strengthening relationships.
Family is a space for communication.
In contrast, Chinese family gatherings are more like a "material-based reunion."
During the Spring Festival, the focus is often on eating well, drinking well, preparing more, and planning full schedules.
However, the conversations often turn into:
How much is your salary?
Did you buy a house?
When are you getting married?
How are your children's grades?
This kind of communication carries comparison, evaluation, and even pressure.
It's not an equal dialogue but role-based conversation. It's not about understanding each other but measuring each other.
As a result, many people find that: a few days of going home each year, their stomachs are full, but their hearts are exhausted.
The keyword for American family gatherings is: connection
The keyword for Chinese family gatherings is: support
One is about updating relationships
The other is about fulfilling responsibilities
In the future, truly high-quality family relationships may not be about having a lavish meal, but about whether you can do three things:
Less judgment
More listening
Genuine communication
The most important function of family has never been about gathering around a table.
It is—
Helping each other become better at understanding one another.