Cultural Differences in China and in the West
My own experience has let me to believe that the top ten Cultural Differences in China can be summarized as follows (please note that my list does contain generalizations – I concede that exceptions exist):
1. Patriotism – The Chinese are highly patriotic and nationalistic.
2. Unity – the Chinese see themselves as parts of a whole whether that whole be society, family, or some other group or collective unit.
3. Harmony – The Chinese value harmony in relationships, and therefore tend traditionally to be less outwardly competitive. Of course, in recent years many Chinese businesses have become highly competitive in the world economic arena
4. Tradition – The Chinese value traditional principles and ways of life, and cling to these.
5. Family– In China, the extended family is valued and supported. Elders are respected and cared for while the young are cherished and nurtured. Inter-dependence is encouraged among family members.
6. Respect for Authority – The Chinese respect authority and accept their place in the societal, familial, or business hierarchy obediently.
7. Humility – Chinese seek to be modest and not to brag or stand out too much.
8. Face– Face requires that one never be seen as a fool or lacking in self-control. For this reason, Chinese do not show their feelings as openly as Americans, and have long memories for perceived insults.
9. Conservatism – The Chinese tend to be highly conservative in their behavior and their views. American liberalism can be shocking.
10. Patience – The Chinese are incredibly patient, long suffering, and tolerant of life’s trials and injustices. They know that life is a long hard journey, and that one cannot control many aspects of it. Instead, they seek to control their expectations and reactions and maintain a calm, patient demeanor.
In contrast, the top ten Cultural Differences in America can be summarized in this way:
1. Individual Freedom – Americans value individual freedom over the needs and desires of the group. Out of this grows the emphasis on privacy seen in the west, an obsession that is often baffling from a Chinese point of view.
2. Equality– While the Chinese respect their place in the hierarchy, Americans believe that everyone is essentially equal from an ethical standpoint – and should have the same basic rights and opportunities. This often leads to frustration when life does not meet their idealistic expectations and society operates unfairly. The Chinese seem to shoulder the inequities of life with more patience and forbearance than their western neighbors.
3. Progress– Americans believe that both societal and personal progress are virtues which are ‘natural’ and to be encouraged. Continual education and self-improvement are vital to prolonged success. Many Chinese, by comparison, seem more content living in the ‘now’ and accept their circumstances with dignity.
4. Competition – Competition is the virtue that leads to action, achievement, and eventually success – in particular material success, the foundation of American societal pride and wealth. While the competitive spirit is certainly developing rapidly in China, the middle kingdom has historically focused on other virtues.
5. Candor – While the Chinese believe that indirectness in social interactions promotes harmony, Americans believe candor is a virtue closely linked to honesty and demonstrated by being straightforward. Such a difference of opinion can easily lead to confusion.
6. The Family – In America, nuclear family relationships are nurtured above all others. The goal of the family is to promote the individual happiness of its members, and to encourage independence, particularly that of the children. Unlike the Chinese, Americans may seldom see (or wish to see) members of their extended families!
7. Self-Reliance – Self-reliance is valued because it brings to mind the early pioneers who succeeded against all odds through hard work and perseverance. Americans respect those who are independent, strong, adventurous, and diligent. The Chinese also respect strength and resolve, but take a more collective stance in their overall social orientation.
8. Optimism – Americans believe that all problems have solutions, and that these solutions can be found and applied to all aspects of life to bring about a better future. Many claim that much of this optimism can be blamed on a short history and widespread ignorance of world events. It may also be linked to their Christian values. The Chinese, while not void of optimism, have a history of more than 5,000 years and have ‘seen it all’ as it were. They tend to be more reserved and pragmatic in the exercise of their sanguinity
9. Risk Taking – In American society, risk-takers are compared to the early explorers who put their lives and resources on the line to follow their hopes toward greater achievements. They either succeed, fostering societal and personal advancement, or fail and fade into the dust. The Chinese are somewhat less daring, preferring stability and survival to slim chances for stardom.
10. Puritan Morality- Americans tend to have a black-and-white view of morality – people are seen as either Good or Evil, either ‘with us’ or ‘against us’. Much of this is a direct result of their Judeo-Christian religious background. The Chinese, on the other hand, follow a moral system that dates from the time of Confucius – one that is more mutable and changes as situations and relationships evolve.
It is no wonder then that cultural differences in China continue to persist. While both Chinese and America values are admirable in their own way, friction may occur when East meets West. It is only through mutual consideration that our shared virtues of inter-cultural friendship, peace, and prosperity can be realized. Like the moons and the stars, we live in a universe that is more beautiful when we share it amicably and with understanding.
This article was published at “The World of Chinese” magazine. Beijing: The Commercial Press, 2007-2009: “Moons and Stars.” Issue No. 11