What are the major differences between chinese and western culture?
I'll list down a few differences:
West:
1. Western culture is based on individualism rather than on mass (collectivism). For instance, in the US, you always talk about individual rights, instead of placing the whole society above your own self. This is clearly different in China where a country, society or family are placed above your own self.
2. Western culture is adventurous and exploration based. Westerners like to discover new things, invention and expand outwards. For instance, bungee jumping is considered adventurous and common in western culture, but you will probably find no-one doing such a thing in China.
3. Western culture is based on science, which attempts to resolve people and nature's relationship.
4. West uses law to resolve people and people's relationship. You can never find 'law' well-established in China. For 2000 years, China is a land that's based on human relationship rather than law.
5. West uses 'god' and religion to resolve human and spiritualism relationship. In case of problems with your own self, you just pray to god.
6. A culture that expands and develop outwards.
Chinese Culture:
1. A culture based on masses (collectivism). People placed country and family above your own self.
2. A culture that is based on humanism and people
3. To resolve the relationship betwen man and nature, the chinese attempts to fuse the human and 'heaven' as one. (天人和一)
4. To resolve people and people's relationship, chinese uses ethics and tolerance (中恕之道)
5. To resolve human and spiritualism, chinese emphasizes internal cultivation (修身养性)
6. A focus on balance and mean. By 'mean', it means 'middle way'. You don't go into extremism. Peace is always honoured.
7. Pay homage to heaven and earth, as well as bearing a remembrance to the homeland. (敬仰天地,思乡怀土) This was accorded to the fact that chinese had been a farming civilization and therefore will be more prone to remember their land.
8. A culture that expands internally rather than outwards.
Some of the disadvantage of old chinese culture:
1. Debase women and chauvanistic
2. An over-emphasis on past history instead of present (lacks pragmatism)
Can you list some more differences? Any comments and contributions are appreciated.
3 votes
Difference between Chinese and Western Culture
Started by
General_Zhaoyun
, Feb 28 2005 11:06 AM
140 replies to this topic
#1
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Posted 28 February 2005 - 11:06 AM
"夫君子之行：靜以修身，儉以養德；非淡泊無以明志，非寧靜無以致遠。" - 諸葛亮
One should seek serenity to cultivate the body, thriftiness to cultivate the morals. If you are not simple and frugal, your ambition will not sparkle. If you are not calm and cool, you will not reach far. - Zhugeliang
#2
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Posted 28 February 2005 - 07:07 PM
i think most of the things worth noting have already been stated by you.
i do agree with you that westerners are more adventurous though.
in terms of entertainment, films, books etc, chinese people copy westerners rather than westerners copy chinese.
if you look at the hong kong pop industry today, many of them are emulating western boy/girlbands and R'n'b singers. This is even more so in taiwan.
A lot of chinese singers also constantly talk about trying to break into the western market and make themsleves known to a western audience.
westerners are always keen to explore fresh ideas for entertainment whether some of them are distasteful or not.
because western culture is more open, it is natural they would set the trend for most things. The things they conceive to entertain might offend the public at first but over a period of time, the public will be accustomed to it.
South park offended many when it was first aired but it became so successful.
Pop idol, where the judges insult contestants did and still does, offend many people but it still generates popularity.
In an ordinary film, we might see our favourite film stars naked bottom and think nothing of it but chinese actors would never do such a thing unless it was a pornography film.
chinese people tend to think that excess work and effort would make money which is why chinese shops tend to open til late. this is true to a certain extent but real success does not lie in how many hours a shop is open for.
they have to create something of quality. a quality which everybody will recognise as that brand. Such as, hmv, nike, addidas, marks and spencers etc.
last night, i went to chinatown and bought a chinese film on dvd. i was shocked by the quality of it. The menu was bad, the special features was even worse, and the sound quality of the film was no different to a video. and i got this for £20.
when you buy a western made dvd, the menus and special features are top class.
some may not watch the special features but for those who do like me, the commentaries, the makings of and interviews are a terrific learning experience.
An insight into the world of film making.
the chinese seem to regard these as a waste of time but do not realise the value of such knowledge.
Some have said to me that this is because the chinese ARE NOT aiming for a wide audience. But they have to realise that with that sort of mentality, they would never be able to surpass the west.
they HAVE TO aim high and exceed peoples expectations.
one thing i can never accept of the western culture though is the lack of respect for the elders. They shout and swear at their parents. That is absolutely appalling.
i actually heard one of my ex classmates boasting how he called his mom a b****.
Something i cannot tolerate.
i do agree with you that westerners are more adventurous though.
in terms of entertainment, films, books etc, chinese people copy westerners rather than westerners copy chinese.
if you look at the hong kong pop industry today, many of them are emulating western boy/girlbands and R'n'b singers. This is even more so in taiwan.
A lot of chinese singers also constantly talk about trying to break into the western market and make themsleves known to a western audience.
westerners are always keen to explore fresh ideas for entertainment whether some of them are distasteful or not.
because western culture is more open, it is natural they would set the trend for most things. The things they conceive to entertain might offend the public at first but over a period of time, the public will be accustomed to it.
South park offended many when it was first aired but it became so successful.
Pop idol, where the judges insult contestants did and still does, offend many people but it still generates popularity.
In an ordinary film, we might see our favourite film stars naked bottom and think nothing of it but chinese actors would never do such a thing unless it was a pornography film.
chinese people tend to think that excess work and effort would make money which is why chinese shops tend to open til late. this is true to a certain extent but real success does not lie in how many hours a shop is open for.
they have to create something of quality. a quality which everybody will recognise as that brand. Such as, hmv, nike, addidas, marks and spencers etc.
last night, i went to chinatown and bought a chinese film on dvd. i was shocked by the quality of it. The menu was bad, the special features was even worse, and the sound quality of the film was no different to a video. and i got this for £20.
when you buy a western made dvd, the menus and special features are top class.
some may not watch the special features but for those who do like me, the commentaries, the makings of and interviews are a terrific learning experience.
An insight into the world of film making.
the chinese seem to regard these as a waste of time but do not realise the value of such knowledge.
Some have said to me that this is because the chinese ARE NOT aiming for a wide audience. But they have to realise that with that sort of mentality, they would never be able to surpass the west.
they HAVE TO aim high and exceed peoples expectations.
one thing i can never accept of the western culture though is the lack of respect for the elders. They shout and swear at their parents. That is absolutely appalling.
i actually heard one of my ex classmates boasting how he called his mom a b****.
Something i cannot tolerate.
#3
Kulong
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Posted 28 February 2005 - 07:15 PM
In regards to Westerners being "adventurous" and Chinese "copying Westerners", this is mostly due to the fact that ever since the 1500's - 1700's, the West has surpassed China in almost all aspects and have remained a leader ever since. If you look around, even the supposedly "innovative" Japanese copy a great deal from the West.
生為中國人，死為中國魂。
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"You can believe in any god, as long as it's our God."
#4
hansioux
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Posted 28 February 2005 - 07:17 PM
Some of the disadvantage of old chinese culture:
1. Debase women and chauvanistic
How is western civilization better in this case?
Don't forget, woman in America didn't have the right to vote just 50 years ago.
Begging plea of the weak can only receive disrespect, violence and oppression as bestowments. Blood and sweat of the weak can only receive insult, blame and abuse as rewards.
Lai Ho, Formosan Poet
Lai Ho, Formosan Poet
#5
Kulong
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Posted 28 February 2005 - 08:21 PM
This is a rare occasion.How is western civilization better in this case?
Don't forget, woman in America didn't have the right to vote just 50 years ago.
I actually agree with hansioux
生為中國人，死為中國魂。
"You can believe in any god, as long as it's our God."
"You can believe in any god, as long as it's our God."
#6
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Posted 01 March 2005 - 06:37 PM
I thought that women were given the right to vote 80 years ago.
Also, Americans cuss a lot in their music. Some thing that I noticed about Chinese mustic is that the singers and artists dont' do that. And some people, such as 周杰伦, (Jay Chow or Zhou JieLun) come under fire for trying to copy the West in the music style and profanity.
Also, Americans cuss a lot in their music. Some thing that I noticed about Chinese mustic is that the singers and artists dont' do that. And some people, such as 周杰伦, (Jay Chow or Zhou JieLun) come under fire for trying to copy the West in the music style and profanity.
"嗟乎，燕雀安知鸿鹄之志哉" -陈胜
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#7
hansioux
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Posted 01 March 2005 - 06:43 PM
I thought that women were given the right to vote 80 years ago.
Also, Americans cuss a lot in their music. Some thing that I noticed about Chinese mustic is that the singers and artists dont' do that. And some people, such as 周杰伦, (Jay Chow or Zhou JieLun) come under fire for trying to copy the West in the music style and profanity.
I find nothing profane in 周杰倫's music. If you do, please show it to me.
However, look to other Taiwanese singers such as 豬頭皮, MC Hotdog then you'll know what's profanity.
Begging plea of the weak can only receive disrespect, violence and oppression as bestowments. Blood and sweat of the weak can only receive insult, blame and abuse as rewards.
Lai Ho, Formosan Poet
Lai Ho, Formosan Poet
#8
Bryan
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Posted 01 March 2005 - 06:54 PM
Let's just keep in mind not to generalize too much as to naming the differences.
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Posted 01 March 2005 - 07:15 PM
I find nothing profane in 周杰倫's music. If you do, please show it to me.
However, look to other Taiwanese singers such as 豬頭皮, MC Hotdog then you'll know what's profanity.
He himself isn't profane, but he did come under attack for something. I can't remember what the article I was reading was about, but I believe it was his 双截棍 song where he "promotes violence." I thought that it was a good song though.
"嗟乎，燕雀安知鸿鹄之志哉" -陈胜
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#10
hansioux
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Posted 01 March 2005 - 07:26 PM
He himself isn't profane, but he did come under attack for something. I can't remember what the article I was reading was about, but I believe it was his 双截棍 song where he "promotes violence." I thought that it was a good song though.
And songs like 大刀砍向鬼子去 promotes? peace and love?
Begging plea of the weak can only receive disrespect, violence and oppression as bestowments. Blood and sweat of the weak can only receive insult, blame and abuse as rewards.
Lai Ho, Formosan Poet
Lai Ho, Formosan Poet
#11
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Posted 01 March 2005 - 08:45 PM
And songs like 大刀砍向鬼子去 promotes? peace and love?
That is away from my point which is that Chinese music has less profanity, violence, etc, that is often associated with American music. And if there is Chinese music that does go American, these songs and the artists who make them are looked down upon.
"嗟乎，燕雀安知鸿鹄之志哉" -陈胜
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#12
TMPikachu
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Posted 01 March 2005 - 09:07 PM
I think a big difference is religion
in my big generalization...
the church and christianity provided the 'mass collectivism' factor in their lives, while Buddhism seemed to offer individualism, with its inward looking teachings
**On Japan... I'd say they're the world's best copiers. Innovation in the sense of improving something someone else invented, but not inventing something new. Like the swords of Tang becoming Katanas, to Honda cars.
And humor
Asian humor seems to be alot more free, 'obscene', if you will, compared to American humor. Political correctness doesn't exist, and if there's a fat man on the show, then god be damned, he will participate in at least one gratuitous "look at how much fatty can eat" scene.
I find American humor is generally more synical, with a meaner spirit, if not content.
Like... comparing American Reality TV shows to Japanese ones. The Japanese ones will do hilarious things, like catapaulting the grandsons of those who can't answer pop trivia questions, while American humor is... for example, they had a show where essentially people try to piss other people off. That's it. It's just annoying.
in my big generalization...
the church and christianity provided the 'mass collectivism' factor in their lives, while Buddhism seemed to offer individualism, with its inward looking teachings
**On Japan... I'd say they're the world's best copiers. Innovation in the sense of improving something someone else invented, but not inventing something new. Like the swords of Tang becoming Katanas, to Honda cars.
And humor
Asian humor seems to be alot more free, 'obscene', if you will, compared to American humor. Political correctness doesn't exist, and if there's a fat man on the show, then god be damned, he will participate in at least one gratuitous "look at how much fatty can eat" scene.
I find American humor is generally more synical, with a meaner spirit, if not content.
Like... comparing American Reality TV shows to Japanese ones. The Japanese ones will do hilarious things, like catapaulting the grandsons of those who can't answer pop trivia questions, while American humor is... for example, they had a show where essentially people try to piss other people off. That's it. It's just annoying.
"the way has more than one name, and wise men have more than one method. Knowledge is such that it may suit all countries, so that all creatures may be saved..."
#13
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Posted 01 March 2005 - 10:39 PM
the church and christianity provided the 'mass collectivism' factor in their lives, while Buddhism seemed to offer individualism, with its inward looking teachings
This is an oddball. Christianity seems very based on the importance of society over individualism and how the individual should willingly sacrifice himself/herself for the betterment of it<well, its more God than society> as well. However, western culture is all about individualism.
Buddhism<and maybe Taoism>, on the other hand, is very individualistic. Eastern culture is more society centered. Of course, this oddball is more or less lessened because of another Eastern religion, Confucianism.
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Posted 02 March 2005 - 12:48 AM
my belief is that these are not oddballs, but, taken with culture, 'balance out' the two
Like... in the chaos and fighting of europe, common faith and communion would be a nice little escape, and in the orderly society of China, one had the time to reflect on one's self.
kinda like how foggy ol' stuffy england produces Mr.Bean
Like... in the chaos and fighting of europe, common faith and communion would be a nice little escape, and in the orderly society of China, one had the time to reflect on one's self.
kinda like how foggy ol' stuffy england produces Mr.Bean
"the way has more than one name, and wise men have more than one method. Knowledge is such that it may suit all countries, so that all creatures may be saved..."
#15
Borjigin Ayurbarwada
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Posted 02 March 2005 - 09:34 PM
"West uses law to resolve people and people's relationship. You can never find 'law' well-established in China. For 2000 years, China is a land that's based on human relationship rather than law. "
No, the imperial codes of China was just as developed as the Roman civil code, and medieval Chinese code much more organized. Even during Qing times, Chinese code was just as organized, only harsher.
There is nothing inherant about cultures, they change over time and develop. Western culture actually had a very low regard for women compared to Japan 1000 years ago. Equality for Woman is a natural process of human progress, nothing inherant of any culture.
Nor was western culture based on science, that again is a natural progress. Ancient Roman and Greeks did not have science just like China.
Last why are we comparing "China" with West when East Asia should be more appropriate.
No, the imperial codes of China was just as developed as the Roman civil code, and medieval Chinese code much more organized. Even during Qing times, Chinese code was just as organized, only harsher.
There is nothing inherant about cultures, they change over time and develop. Western culture actually had a very low regard for women compared to Japan 1000 years ago. Equality for Woman is a natural process of human progress, nothing inherant of any culture.
Nor was western culture based on science, that again is a natural progress. Ancient Roman and Greeks did not have science just like China.
Last why are we comparing "China" with West when East Asia should be more appropriate.
Edited by warhead, 21 May 2008 - 09:19 PM.
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