This year we cheerfully participated in the great Jewish American Christmas tradition: Chinese food & a movie! There we were at Shan Dong in Oakland, eating fabulous, cheap food, totally free of any holiday hype or family drama. About half of the customers in the restaurant were Chinese & the other half were white folks who I guess were probably Jewish, but how would I really know w/o asking? (& I didn't feel up to asking.)

Earlier in the day we went for a walk in our neighborhood, duly noting that the only open businesses were the Chinese restaurants -- until we came to a cafe busily cranking out espresso. Once inside, we realized that the place is run by Chinese Americans. Of course.