“You Really Feel Uncultured”: Jackie Chan Once Revealed the One Thing He Couldn’t Possibly Do in America

Leaving his roots with the aim to establish himself in the west wasn’t an easy move for action comedy legend, Jackie Chan. Growing up in a financially unstable household, Jackie Chan wasn’t able to attain much academic education. Therefore, after moving to the west communication proved to be one of the biggest obstacles.

With time Chan was able to learn how to speak the language. However, it took him a considerably longer time to learn how to write. This led to the international star feeling conscious about simple tasks like signing an autograph. In his memoir, Jackie Chan has given a detailed account of the one thing he could not do in America because of his lack of education.

Jackie Chan couldn’t buy a shirt

In his book Never Grow Up, Jackie Chan opened up about the various phases of his life. Among the many things, he wrote about how his lack of early education, hindered his life in America. The Spy Next Door actor recalled, that when he came to America, people had to sign slips to use their credit cards. However, Chan couldn’t carry out this mundane task as he didn’t know how to write.

He further revealed that every time his signature would differ, back when Chan wasn’t as well known as he is now. Therefore, comparing the signature was the only way for the shopkeepers to confirm his identity for monetary transactions. Chan further added, “When your lack of an education makes it impossible to pay for a new shirt, that’s when you really feel uncultured.”

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Chan quickly learned how to write his name in English for autographs. However, whenever a fan asked him to address the autograph to his name, Chan used to find himself in a similar dilemma. But struggling to sign an autograph was the least of the troubles Chan faced with the language.

The toughest language to learn

In an interview in 1996, Jackie Chan got candid about his struggles with English. Chan believes English is one of the toughest languages in the world. When he first came to America, all he knew was how to introduce himself in English.

A time came when Chan struggled with arranging the basic necessities for himself despite having the money to survive. Chan revealed he didn’t even know how to order food. Ultimately, his unyielding attitude helped him get a hang of the language. Now, decades later Jackie Chan has mastered the English language. The international superstar no longer faces difficulty in conversing or writing in this foreign language.

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