Asian Culture

Journal 4

It is always interesting to study other cultures and it is extremely important to do just that if you are going to have interactions with them. You don’t want to insult someone or embarrass yourself and your own culture.  I’ve come to believe the Asian culture is one of the most interesting yet miss understood, mainly because of what we (Americans) usually know about the culture is through movies or the local Chinese restaurant. I must say this was rather a challenging journal because even though there are many cultures you can come across on campus or just walking in my neighborhood, most people I came across although they are of a different culture background they ultimately identify themselves as Americans.  Also, a few people were not fluent in their native language or in even more astonishing was a majority couldn’t speak nor could they read anything of their language. I was finally able to come across a family at my job. They were a young couple. The husband spoke very little English and his pregnant wife spoke none. I had to use google translate to communicate how I was there to help them. Once I was done assisting them of their needs I asked them if it was alright if I was to ask them some questions. I expressed my gratitude in allowing me to ask them questions about their culture.  The first topic was social structure. They expressed in China, the social structure is formal and hierarchical.  You know where you fit in the structure and you abide by the rules there.  There is no crossing into other areas.  That was a difference than here in America. From my standpoint it is much more loose and informal.  It is not uncommon to see those of various social levels socializing and knowing each other.  There are very few lines that socially are not allowed to be crossed. The second topic was about self-worth.  The Chinese looks more at the group collective than at individualism.  A person from China is more prone to look at how their acts affect the whole instead of how it affects them personally.  They are more willing to give up and sacrifice for the greater good. This differs from Americans because I feel we, as a society, have become known for its push of individualism which has been a source of conflict with other cultures that look collectively. On the other hand, America’s individualism has been its backbone and the reason for its success as a world power to date. This topic turned into a discussion of morals. In the Chinese society, they place high values on the morals of their people.  Marriage is not encouraged until the late twenties.  In fact, dating is discouraged early in a young adult’s life and proprieties are expected to be held up.  Again, in an American culture, it is much more relaxed. Some could even argue that there needs to be more moral emphasize.