Since then Buddhist rites and principles of rebirth, harmony, and repetition, and have influenced Chinese thought and culture. The Individual. In China, be more generous with respect and tactful with criticism. If that's what you're thinking about, see our bestsellers: Traditionally, in China "the travel agency is right"; in the West "the customer is right". The short answer is it used to be a lot, and there aren’t much difference any more. This paper presents a comparison between Chinese perspectives on systems thinking and ideas from the West, primarily the U.S. and the U.K. Once again it may help to think of an 'O' representing a repetitive, cyclic, holistic, consistent approach, and an 'I' for direct, linear, focused innovative thinking, to show the sharp contrast between (stereotyped) Eastern and Western thought. However, in China people buy cars to fit in, whereas in the West people buy cars to stand out! Another big difference in thinking between Chinese and Western societies is the difference between “friends” and “strangers.” Assistance between Chinese parties is only given to those in the “inner circle” which is why the concept of guanxi is so important. Basically Westerners seem always to have been individualistic externalists, whereas the Chinese seem always to have been society-favoring internalists. the west. Much of this comes from the Confucian system of hierarchy. In China, many people are prepared to do things for the good of society. In the latter world, being polite makes you stand out from the crowd. Harmony is considered more important than pointing out faults, so, when a fault must be mentioned, great care is taken to avoid giving offense. In Western society, the individual rules. It is said that one's thinking patterns change depending on one's experiences. Understanding this nature within Chinese people is important, since it is easy to otherwise assume that their silence indicates agreement. Differences in Eastern (Chinese) and Western thinking may stem from something as simple as where people have lived. An equivalent payback of some sorts is then expected in the future. Instead, there’s equality within a social rank. While in the East respect is taken for granted, in the West respect is earned, and criticism is typically direct and unveiled. Not being up front with your opinions and ideas might be considered rude in Western culture, whereas in Chinese culture it is considered polite, since by doing so they are allowing you to save face. People of different cultures think differently and these different ways of thinking create barriers to understanding and communication. Here is the great difference between Western thinking and Eastern thinking. 2. Generally, Chinese motives are society-driven, and Western motives are individual-driven. the school system, exercises, politeness, rituals). When I asked for more details, she came up with a list of issues that she had never mentioned during the relationship, all out of a desire to not induce confrontation). Here are five cultural differences in thinking and perception between the East and West. Basically there are four ancient influences (geography, history, philosophy, and religion) and three modern influences (government, capitalism, and consumerism). At China Highlights we've adopted "Western thinking", and will do our best to accommodate your requirements. When visiting China (if coming from a Western country), it will help you greatly to think about the differences between Eastern and Western thinking, in order to understand Chinese culture, and to avoid so much culture shock. But, hopefully through this article, you can understand how and why Chinese thought has developed and can appreciate some of its benefits. Different goals: Capitalism means that everyone is out to earn more, but in China wealth is (more) happily or customarily shared within the (extended) family and nation, whereas in the West wealth is (more) focused towards individual and private advancement. In the West there is an emphasis on innovation and competition. While China is surrounded by huge mountain ranges, deserts, and ocean, Western (European) nations have been surrounded by relatively smaller geographical obstacles and more navigable seas. Here is one of the great divides between Western and Chinese ways of thinking and writing. In the West the main reaction is guilt, and this is personally driven by the individual, according to what he/she thinks is wrong. Differences discussed include emphasis given to bigger/smaller units, tense, direct/indirect expression, individualism, appropriate behavior, linear vs. circular thinking patterns. Others believe that ancestors not are even aware of what their descendants do for them, but the expression of filial piety is still important. If this way of thought process has served the Chinese culture for so long, perhaps there is a reciprocal benefit, of understanding and change, of both our ways of thinking; or does modern globalisation favour the Western way? Some differences between Western and Chinese thought patterns are highlighted to help language teachers better prepare teaching strategies for Chinese-speaking students. 5 Cultural Differences between East and West 1. Comparison between Western and Chinese Systems Approaches 4.1. Private space for Chinese people is in their heads; for Westerners it's in their homes (or wherever they can't be seen or heard). Taoism developed in China from the fourth century BC with principles of harmony and cyclic repetitious processes. They also taught segregated thinking, in terms of the body and soul, individual and society, etc. fourteen While the modern influences of capitalism and consumerism are shared the world over, established thought processes in China and the West have produced differing responses and tensions in modern society. They feel a strong sense of unity. The usual Western way is … Chinese Culture vs. Western and American Culture There are many different aspects on Ancient Chinese culture that differ from Western and American culture. This is because it allows us to engage in an interesting comparison. Buddhism arrived in China in the first century AD, with similar principles to Taoism. Understanding this culture is very valuable in determining where assistance should be given to others, as well as what is expected of you if you receive it. keep their thoughts to themselves. Where a Chinese person does assist one of his friends (whether directly or indirectly), this assistance is noted by both sides. "Eastern thought" can be represented by an 'O' (for "Our" or a ring of people linking hands). Any disagreements he may have with a speaker could be brought up later in a more private forum, giving the speaker face in the process. It exists as a corollary followed from the observation of many particulars. Many things such as education, marriage, and community type can be different from what we have in our Western civilization. It can be explained as the classifying feeling course of distinguishing and simplifying o outside objects. ABSTRACT VS. Westerners like to externalize, i.e. Westerners feel a strong sense of individualism. A generalized summary: While Westerners were exploring the world: fighting with, trading with, living with, and conquering other nations, while at the same time letting other nations across their borders; the Chinese were consumed with controlling things within their own borders, minding their own business, developing their own culture, and keeping others out. Westerners focus on getting to the end goal using the most efficient method (i.e. Thus China has become "the factory of the world" and the West has become "the world's driving force for progress and innovation". }. We won’t go down to exhaust all possible differences, like the brand of restaurants Chinese go to .vs. CONCRETE THINKING AND ENGLISH WRITING Generally speaking, the thinking mode of westerners tends to be abstract while Chinese thinking is always concrete. Western thinking) is best. (Other influences on thought may include language, climate, and genetics, but they are more speculative.). If one wishes to discern meanings in Chinese discourse, one must often look to the silences, the hesitations, the circumlocutions, diversions, and euphemisms. Any deviation from these principles makes you stand out in a negative way. Isolated, hostile geography may have contributed to insular thinking, and accessible geography may have promoted more individual and externalized thinking. Compared with the thinking way of the western people, the mode of thinking of Chinese people has obvious vagueness, after a long time, it forms their thinking way. Chinese people like to internalize, i.e. Origins of Systems Thinking To put it simply, the roadmap of Western systems thinking emerged from reductionism to holism, while the Chinese roadmap emerged from holism to reductionism to dialectic unity of the two. More on Traffic in China>>>. ZHENG (1992) said in his book A Comparative Study on Cultures in China and the West that English is a language of sound which has inflection and stress and highlights creation while Chinese is a language , share their thoughts. Different behavior: In China, for example, people drive cars in the way (local) society deems okay, with no guilt regarding the law. Even if you politely decline, you will still be offered tea as the default. Christianity has been the prevalent worldview in the West (Europe) since about 300 AD. display: none !important; While China is surrounded by huge mountain ranges, deserts, and ocean , Western (European) nations have been surrounded by relatively smaller geographical obstacles and … You rarely see beggars on the streets in Chinese communities, and those you do see are usually seen approaching foreigners, whome they are more likely to get assistance from. Chinese honor them as symbols of God. Try out an online course to discover a new hobby, learn a new language, or even change career. Similarly, the Western tradition has certainly housed strains of thought that do view the state as more of a natural outgrowth of small human groups such as family and community. When rejecting others’ offers or requests of help, it is best to do so with a polite excuse rather than a flat out refusal, in order to maintain the dignity of the relationship. This article discusses the many important differences in the thinking styles between Chinese and European North Americans (Americans and Canadians of European descent), as Chinese thought processes have always been difficult to comprehend. Chinese Culture vs Western Culture Between the Chinese culture and Western culture, we can identify a number of differences. 2.Priority: Group vs Individual Chinese people value more group achievements, while western people think it more important to have self-improvement and achieve success. Westerners think of dragons as monsters. There are not many practicing Taoists or Buddhists in China today, but there are very many ancestor venerators. Recent years have witnessed a heated debate in the Chinese military academia about traditional strategic culture and its impact on modern military thinking.  =  In China primary reaction to personal 'bad behavior' is shame, but only if society judges the behavior as bad. Chinese vs Western Culture. This same situation can also be observed in personal relationships between a Westerner and a Chinese, where the latter’s silence on matters and propensity to not confront, could erroneously suggest to the former that all is well in the relationship, when that might not be the case. The forces of capitalism are now driving competition and innovation in China, which often goes against the grain, and consistency is also a goal in the West, but more difficult to achieve there. This article tries to analyze and explain the differences between Chinese and Western military traditions from a philosophical perspective. Chinese philosophy (Confucianism) can be summarized as: Socrates and Plato, the founders of rationalism, taught individual understanding, through rational deductive thought, as the basis for comprehending the world. During weddings and occasions where red envelopes are exchanged, the amounts of money given and the donors are duly noted since the same amount would be expected to be paid back at future events. You can see this when you are offered a choice of drink before a meeting or when visiting someone’s house. Different conflicts: In China, the selfishness of consumerism conflicts with an inbuilt regard for family and society. In the past Eastern (Chinese) and Western cultures have had very different formative influences, leading to major differences in thinking. In the East, the Universal precedes the particular, whereas in the West, the particular precedes the Universal. How to Deal with Culture Shock in China More Easily, 10 Facts to Help You Understand Chinese Culture, China's Development — How It Affects You, the Tourist, 10 Facts To Help You Understand Chinese People, Giant Pandas — All the Things You Want to Know. It is also common for people to not stop and help others during vehicle accidents, so as not to get involved with people they don’t know. "a straight line"). This is also why it is so important to keep making contacts in order to enter the circles of others. It can be said that generally the West has a Christian moral framework. Not all Chinese (or Westerners) think this way, but these are observed tendencies. The differences listed below are heavily stereotyped, generalized, and polarized. are now driving competition and innovation in China, which often goes against the grain, and consistency is also a goal in the West, but more difficult to achieve there. Until recent centuries, Eastern and Western nations were all governed by a single ruler (and this tended to promote "Eastern thought"). Actions have reinforced thought patterns, and established thought has led to more of the same actions, in a chicken-and-egg scenario lasting millennia. Not being up front with your opinions and ideas might be considered rude in Western culture, whereas in Chinese culture it is considered polite, since by doing so they are allowing you to save face. In one sense, the Confucian ethic is egalitarian, though not in Western sense where everyone has equal standing and opportunity within society. Keep on questioning after you arrive in China, but in many situations it may be advisable to keep your thoughts to yourself. (Analects of Confucius II, 3). Some people believe their departed ancestors need to be provided for by descendants. However, when China departed from absolute monarchy it went the route of single-party republicanism and communism, whereas the West has adopted democracy. The Universal does not exist by itself, according to Western thinking. The founders of the contrasting philosophies of Confucianism and Rationalism all lived around 500 BC, but in quite different environments, as discussed above. "Lead the people with administrative injunctions and put them in their place with penal law, and they will avoid punishments but will be without a sense of shame. Descartes, "the father of modern Western philosophy", was also a rationalist, famous for his statement "Cognito ergo sum" — "I think, therefore I am". "Western thought" on the other hand can be represented by an 'I' (for "Individual" or 'the first person singular' or someone standing on their own). Different motives: Consumerism means that e.g. You may still be thinking that your own way of thinking (i.e. (See the Chinese interpretation of Christianity on Christianity in China.). During group meetings, a Westerner is more likely to bring up arguments or disagree with the topic at hand. In the East, harmony and conformity to society's ways (including rituals and face-saving) is preferred as a way of preserving order, while in the West legalism and pursuit of "the truth" are preferred. Chinese New Year (which is coming up soon) is useful for clearing “debts” among friends in this manner. Though Christianity teaches love for all people, unity, and an acceptance of God's word, its (Protestant) interpretation in the West tends to support individual, focused, linear progress ("innovation") towards a heavenly goal, and a questioning attitude in the pursuit of truth. That is why Westerners have expressed serious curiosity about and appreciation of the philosophical endeavours of the Chinese and the cognitive … In the Chinese world, politeness is part of a basic set of principles that has to be followed by all. XHTML: You can use these tags:

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