Western vs Asian ideals

[Summer]

Okay uh. Just yesterday I sat for my literature paper. There was a cloze passage of some random story and some questions based around the story.

One question in particular got me thinking : This story highlights the clash of Western and Asian ideals. Write what you think of the clash and your experience.

Myself, I don't really have negative experiences to recall of this clash but I wrote one page of crap for the markers to look at. But. This question is good to ponder over. So, what do you think of the clash?

[Maelstrom]

Well, which clash in particular?

The West is more individualistic, whereas the East has a very strong familial and organizational framework.

Then there're the views and attitudes towards women, sex, religion, authority, etc.

[TheNewEnigma]

Azubu Frost kicking TSM's arse last night

Enigma shot

[Summer]

Well, which clash in particular?

The West is more individualistic, whereas the East has a very strong familial and organizational framework.

Then there're the views and attitudes towards women, sex, religion, authority, etc.

Every single fucking subject there is.

[Duster]

This actually a pretty intelligent topic. The idea of individualism in the west expands to religion as well. If you look at western religions its extremely monotheistic (one personal god) while in eastern religions its more of a mystery, something that can't be described (Hinduism has thousands of gods, but they all come from essentially the same indescribable essence)

Asian food is also better trololololol

[Summer]

Actually the main discussion is religon itself. Also i approve the food part.

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

Well, the Asians believe a lot more in their culture. A teacher of mine was on vacation and there were a ton of Japanese people there. None of them knew each other but they were mingling because they were from the same country, yet no one mingled with this one woman who had tanned skin. In Japan, having tanned skin means you are poor and usually those people are discriminated. Most Western countries are trashing culture more and more.

[Godot]

People think differently here if your skin is brown and you can roll your Rs, errre! Que suave!

But ya... not just asia but european and african cultures are really different as well... I hear some interesing stories about us Americans. XD

'Murika!

[Summer]

I'll be honest- being Asian, I also noticed a lot of discrimination from the west. Mostly on the features like small eyes. And Asians are pretty approachable too. About the stories of America... Nope. Never heard any.

[Guest]

Westerners rip off Asian culture.

You see people nowdays in Western society converting to Buddhism, Hinduism and whatnot.

Anime too like..Westerners took animes and dubbed them, made them into English things..

Really everyones ripping off everyone.

[Zen]

Just from what we've seen and talked about - yes, it is indeed an interesting topic - there seem to be a few major differences in the East and West as far as ideals go.

Bear in mind that most of these would be education-based, since that's where the three of us tend to linger.

- Western people value individualism more, as mentioned by other posters here. Asians tend to have a hive-like mentality in some aspects.

- Free speech is highly encouraged in Western countries, but for the Asians, deference to another person's rank and seniority usually overrides that.

- Education in some Asian countries is based on the British system. Believe us, it's a BIG difference (look up the British system, and tell us if it scares you, lol).

- Food in Asian countries tends to be shared and eaten communally, whereas Western food seems to be prepared more for individual servings.

- Corporal punishment is still widely practised in schools here XD

- Uniforms are a standard for schools.

- Religion seems to emphasise being at peace with yourself and the world around you, not sure how similar is this to Western theology.

- The gods seem to reflect natural elements more, rather than representing an omniscient, omnipotent metaphysical being.

- The belief in spirits and superstitious practice are more common around these parts (e.g. for the Chinese here, if you need to pee on a bush, you're expected to apologise to whatever may be 'occupying' the bush).

- Sex is highly taboo. As in 'The Scarlet Letter' taboo for some communities and/or families.

- Our condoms are made with smaller average diameters (yes, we have proof of that - the Japanese manufactured ones are the smallest).

- Homosexuality is a criminal offence in some Asian countries (including Malaysia, where the three of us are located - to Ian's eternal frustration).

- Psychiatric therapy is less common here; the usual course of action is to force the person to swallow their own issues

- It is not unusual to see straight guys happily walking about in Speedos or tank tops (though they may get curious looks from the more culturally-savvy girls out there) LOL

- Showing emotions in the workplace is considered as highly unprofessional for the most part.

- There appears to be a livelier reading culture here, and we're not including Twilight in that.

So, that's just whatever I can recall from our little nocturnal discussions (coffee is as always our good friend!). Hopefully it works for whatever the OP was looking for

[Zen]

Just for some fun, since it goes well with the thread's main topic - some Asian customs

---

Chinese

- If someone pours you tea, tapping the table thrice with your pointer and middle fingers together is a gesture meaning 'Thanks'.

- You should never leave a cup of tea unfinished if you're a guest; finish it right before you leave (better still if you can time it such that you finish it even without rushing).

- Leaving a teapot's lid ajar is a signal that the pot is empty and hot water needs to be added to top it up.

- Chopsticks shouldn't cross to form an 'X' shape; it is considered unlucky.

- When not in use, lay chopsticks flat over the top of the bowl, since sticking them upright in the rice makes them resemble joss sticks for mourning.

- Try not to sleep with your body pointed at a doorway; usually, that's how coffins are arranged during wakes.

- Don't sweep the house on auspicious occasions (such as Chinese New Year) to avoid unintentionally sweeping away good luck.

- December 22nd is the Chinese Christmas, and that is the day when they serve little flour balls in sweet water (tang yuan).

- Some Buddhists are vegetarians, and those who worship the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) cannot eat beef.

- Koi paintings always have exactly nine fish in them to usher in prosperity.

- Things to not give as gifts: scissors (indicate severing of ties), pens (indicate separation and hence letter-writing), handkerchiefs/towels (indicates wiping of tears), or brooms (forgot the reason for this one).

Indians

- If served food on a banana leaf, folding the leaf towards you when done means the food was good (folding it outwards indicates a horrible meal).

- Do not touch a Singh's turban, or a Hindu's hair on Tuesdays and Fridays; there are sacred ties to hair for those particular instances.

- Most Sikh men carry a small dagger called a kirpan on them, usually concealed or hidden in the turban.

- April 14th is the Sikh new year, Vasakhi.

- Apologies are warranted if your feet brush against bags or books.

- Hindus cannot eat beef, and a large number are vegetarian (sometimes on Tuesdays and Fridays).

- If entering a Hindu or Sikh temple (the Sikh temple is called a gurdwara), all visitors must cover their hair with a piece of cloth, or a scarf.

- Bringing little gifts such as fruits is a common custom when visiting Indians.

- That unusual smell that some of them tend to sport is usually incense or coconut oil (they use it for their hair, or bathe in it on certain religious occasions).

- Never call a Sikh a Bengali; they get quite upset if that happens.

Some other Asian rules of thumb:

- If eating with hands, usually only the fingertips are used. For Arabs, they eat with only the right hand, usually (as they tend to use the left for personal hygiene).

- Shoes must be removed before entering homes or temples.

- It is not considered acceptable for people to call their parents-in-law by name.

---

Hopefully it was an interesting read.

Edited October 7, 2012 by Zen

[Maelstrom]

Interesting read? Indeed it was.

Surely, the asian culture puts much more into form and practice than does the west.

Deference? That absolutely depends on the person you're talking to, but respect to a westerner is earned, and job position or title isn't always on the quality chek list. Heard of the phrase "fake it till you make it?" Fuck those people. They have more ambition than anything else.

Apparently in euorpe, royal lines stll like to pull class. "I'm a duke or or son of a duchess or whatever." Any American would tear them apart for that bullshit but it doesn't seem like most europeans care for that crap either.

In most Afghan cultures, showing someone the soles of your feet is a sign of disrespect.

Many muslims, but especially Pashtuns will show you a lot of hospitality and/or won't give a guess up, due to the time when the prophet Mohammad was on the run and had to rely on hospitality to keep himself alive.

There are some other things I could mention but I'm not in the mood.

[Summer]

- If someone pours you tea, tapping the table thrice with your pointer and middle fingers together is a gesture meaning 'Thanks'.

Even though I'm CHinese, I have no idea about this.

Truly, the Asian belief holds more respect for the unknown.

[Duster]

Westerners rip off Asian culture.

You see people nowdays in Western society converting to Buddhism, Hinduism and whatnot.

Anime too like..Westerners took animes and dubbed them, made them into English things..

Actually, I don't consider it ripping off or stealing. As the world becomes "smaller" more and more countries are admiring other culture's practices. This could be said for everyone, Westerners with anime, Easterners with towering skyscrapers and big cities, and all cultures are starting to experience other countries food. I almost think its a form of flattery, not ripping or stealing.

[Zen]

Even though I'm CHinese, I have no idea about this.

Truly, the Asian belief holds more respect for the unknown.

There's a story that once, the Emperor travelled incognito by disguising as a secretary, but his officials were in the Imperial robes. At a teahouse, he served them tea, and to show him gratitude, they did the tapping thing.

Another even rarer practice is dipping your finger into wine and tracing a circle with a dot in its center on the tabletop. Supposed to represent the blind eye of the Chinese wine god, I think.

@ Maelstrom - Interesting about the Middle Eastern cultures; we get some here in Malaysia due to the predominantly Muslim population, but not in great detail. About the respect being earned, it's taking hold slowly as time goes by, but in the past, 'fake it till you make it' was very much in practice. As I recall, Michael Crichton once mentioned how the Japanese are technically encouraged to 'lie' in different situations, particularly when business is involved (by adopting different personalities and outlooks to handle different situations).