Chinese Americans have been called inscrutable--not open to being understood. More casual, spontaneous, and expressive people find it hard to understand the strict discipline of feelings and highly selective and controlled expressions such as the Chinese American may practice. This paper serves as a social introduction to the Chinese American. For brevity's sake, the term "Chinese American" is used in referring to Americans of Chinese ancestry and the term "Chinese" when referring to that cultural heritage or self identification. Among the issues that are addressed are the following: Chinatown, three Chinese American approaches to life (traditional, marginal, activist) and the cultural practices most often retained by the Chinese (foods, language, symbols, celebrations and observances, religion, extended family bonds, personal and family pride, and perseverance). The Chinese American is no foreigner, as Chinese have been in Southern California for over a hundred years. Immigration was cut off from 1882 to 1943, and between 1943 and 1965 only 105 Chinese were allowed to enter the U.S. each year. In 1965, the strict quota was relaxed to match that of other countries. The ratio of foreign born to native born is now increasing. The stereotypes associated with the Chinese American--that of they "have it made", and "they are all alike"--are refuted. (Author/AM)