Difference Between Chinese Culture and Western Culture

Difference Between Chinese Culture and Western Culture 中外文化差别

Difference Between Chinese Culture and Western Culture

Chinese Culture vs Western Culture

Chinese culture and Western culture, an interesting comparison. Every culture is developed in thousands of years. At least this holds true for the Chinese culture. It is 5000 years old; in comparison to Western culture that is only 2000 years old. Every culture has its own values, morals, customs and traditions and they should be respected as such and not to be ridiculed just because another culture has different values and beliefs.

In all aspects of life, be it religion, music, art or medicine, Chinese are totally different from westerners, in fact poles apart, and trying to compare these two cultures is like comparing day with night. Not all things western are good, and not all things Chinese are bad. It is a question of perspective, beliefs and values. One should learn to appreciate the differences between the Chinese and Western culture to be better able to understand these differences.

As far as is concerned, Chinese beliefs are rooted in Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, all of which believe in equality of all creatures. It is through learning that man can become better. On the other hand, Western religions (read Christianity) believe in superiority of human beings over other animals and here too people can become better if they control their sinful actions and thoughts.

is the backbone of Chinese culture and members live together or close by. On the other hand, family is mostly nuclear in nature in the west and people are not generally concerned with uncles and aunts whereas in China people help and support each other which is why there is greater bonding between family members. In comparison, young adults in the west make lots of friends that change with time and they see their family members only on festivals and holidays.

The Chinese system of is rigid and it suppresses creativity according to western analysts. But Chinese place great importance to education and this is why China has today become the largest economy in the world, overtaking the US. Though education is equally important in the US, here emphasis is placed upon the liking of kids and the interest they show in particular subjects that is more important.

Chinese have a holistic approach to life and believe in healthy eating whereas taste matters a lot to westerners and they keep eating and cooking art separate from general approach to life.

Chinese culture places more importance to collective gains whereas western culture places emphasis to inpidual achievements and encourage entrepreneurship.

Chinese are warm and friendly people that go out of their way to help strangers whereas if you are a stranger in the west, do not expect people to bail you out when facing any difficulty.

The While westerners believe in hard work and dedication to achieve personal goals and happiness, Chinese believe that it is through inner peace that real bliss and happiness can be achieved. Westerners equate happiness with material achievements whereas it is not so in China.

Difference Between Chinese Culture and Western Culture 中外文化差别

There are vast differences in cooking, eating habits, system of medicine, traditions and customs, greeting, meeting and showing love and affection in Chinese and Western cultures that reflect the values and belief systems of the two cultures.

If one has to sum up differences between China and the west, it has to be the difference in emphasis on