中美文化差异

中美文化差异 Culture difference between China and America You know there are many big differences between China and America, for example, the differences between collectivist culture and individualist culture, different religion life, different wedding customs, and different popular festivals. Now I will give you more details about them. Firstly, our collectivist cultures are different from American individualist cultures. We Chinese people tend to help others actively and believe that we are obliged to help others when they are in trouble or have some difficulties in life. We even sacrifice our personal benefits or interests to satisfy the benefits of the group. However, the American people view themselves as individuals and tend to emphasize their own benefits. They usually rely on themselves as much as they can, and they expect others to the same. For example, when one of their family members or friends is in trouble, they often offer to give him or her a hand. But they do this voluntarily and are not driven by the obligations. So if you need a hand, just ask one of them for help, they will happily do you the favor. But keep in mind, do not wait for them give you a hand actively, you must ask them. And westerners tend to believe that individuals should make decision for themselves, and that they should take credit and responsibility for what they have done personally. So it is often the case, when one of the westerners commits a crime, other family members and friends would not necessarily feel they have any responsibility for his or her actions. Likewise, if one of the family members becomes very successful, others in the family would not expect to benefit from his or her success. Also in China, people often mix their private life with their public life. That is to say, the relationship with others in private life will affect the way we handle the public affairs. But in America, this seldom happens, and they often try to avoid their private life mix their public life. In other words, they try to prevent their relationships from affecting their public affairs and decisions. For example, when two employees, Tom and Mike, come for an interview, and the manager have a good relationship with them both. Both of them have good working experience and abilities, but Tom, who is single, has a higher degree, and Mike, who has a family to support, and he really need the job this time. In China, we will give this chance to Mike without hesitation. But in America, the manager will absolutely choose Tom for he has a higher degree. In their country, they believe equal opportunities, even though they show their sympathy to the people in trouble. Secondly, religious life in America is very different from that in China. In America, religious life is an important part of their life. But, in China, only a small percentage of the people believe in religion. In America, there are so many different religions with many different customs, among which Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism are the most popular ones. Believe it or not, 86 percent of the Americans are Christian, so Christianity has always been the dominant American faith. And the Protestant and Catholic are the main Christianity group. So when you are abroad, you will see many different religious believers. Here, I will suggest to you that you should not argue with them about the religion, or comment on their activities. There are many religious festivals activities in America, such as Christmas Day, Easter Day. Christmas Day is a day to celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus. And Easter Day is a day to celebrate the relief of him. The protestant groups form the largest religious body in America. But Roman Catholicism(天主教) is by far the largest unified religious group. Since many Catholics send their children to private religious schools, plus many fine colleges and universities. Catholics have played a prominent role in American politics. However, not until 1960, when John Kennedy was elected president, did a Catholic hold the highest office in the land. On the other side, there are many religious activities in their everyday life. Take Sabbath of Judaism for example, it is the largest non--Christian religion in America. The Jews regularly observe from sundown Friday until sundown Saturday. Orthodox Jews do not work, and they travel only on foot. Jewish tradition imposes certain dietary restrictions, prohibiting pork, certain seafood, and the serving of milk products at meals that include meat or poultry. However, in China, most of the people do not believe in religion. Only a small number of the people believe in native religion taojiao and other immigrated ones such as Christianity, Buddhism. So the religious festivals and celebrations are seldom seen in our daily life. What is more, the government does not believe in religion, nor does it receive religion believers, religion has rare influence on politics, let alone a religion believer becomes the leader of the government. Thirdly, China and America have different marriage customs. In China, wedding ceremony is usually held in the house of the bridegroom with all the relatives and friends around, then they have a big ceremony and a big meal, afterwards, they come back to their house to treat the invited again to candies or cookies with tea or other drinks. But in America, their wedding ceremony is much different. Before the ceremony, there will be a bridal ['braid?l] shower(新娘送礼会). It is partly given for a bride before her wedding, and the shower is usually coordinated by the bridesmaid(女傧 相), who invites guests to offer gifts for the home of the bride and groom. Also there will be a bachelor party. It is a social occasion of drinking with male friends spent by a man before his wedding. The ceremony is usually held in a church. Before the ceremony starts, the relatives and friends of the bride are seated on the right side, and those of the groom are seated on the other side. Then when the wedding march starts, the father of the bride will accompany the bride walking through the passage, at the same time, the mother of the bride will rise from the seat, then all the others rise too. Then the ceremony begins, after which the couple will exchange wedding rings. The ring is a circle with no beginning and no end, and symbolizes unending love and loyalty. It is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because of a very old idea that a vein or nerve runs from this finger to the heart. At the end of the ceremony, they will be pronounced husband and wife and invited to each other. After the ceremony, there will be a reception for a honey moon. The bride will throw a bouquet of flowers backward over her head to a group of single women behind her. And the one who catches it will be the next to marry. Also, groom(新郎) maybe will throw his bribe garter to the single men. The man catches it also will be the next to marry too. When it comes to paying for the wedding, in China, it often rests with the parents of the groom to pay for it. But in America, it is often shared by both the parents. Fourthly, there are different popular festivals and customs between China and America. In China, the most popular festival is Spring Festival, and the celebrations include giving gifts between relatives and friends, sticking duilian, making and eating dumplings, firing fireworks, visiting the relatives together(or bainian in chinese). However, in America, the most popular festival is Christmas Day which is celebrated differently. There are some traditions during the Christmas Day. First, exchanging gifts. It is common for them to exchange gifts among family members and friends. Second, receiving Christmas cards. Cards say A Merry Christmas Day and A Happy New Year will often shared between family and friends. Third, receiving toys from Santa Klaus. This custom dates from the fourth century when there was a generous bishop named St. Niclas. He often went out at night and brought gifts to the poor. Hundreds of years later, the name was changed into Santa Klaus. And artists and authors created the man in red with white beard who sends Christmas gifts to people on his sleigh pulled by his reindeers驯鹿. Four, decorating the house with Christmas trees. Americans usually use many beautiful decorations to decorate the trees, such as colored glass balls and strings of colorful lights. Besides on the top of the tree, there is often a star which represents the star in the east that guided the three Wisemen to Jesus. Fifth, hanging stockings. In America, on Christmas Eve, children will hang stockings and hope that Santa Klaus will fill it with candies and toys. Sixth, caroling. It is customary for Americans to walk with their friends from house to house singing the traditional holiday songs. how the school education of China and America vary in many aspects. First, different education ways the teacher gave many examples to get across to us every concept and the ways of how to master them, while in China teachers usually spoon-feed the students with boring and tedious definition of concepts. American teachers are more like lecturers. Their purpose of teaching is to tell you how to learn rather than what you have learnt. Second, different atmosphere in class You will feel free and easy in American class. You can ask questions as soon as you run into a problem. The teacher will answer your questions willingly rather than reproach you. So the classroom shows no constraints. 3.different campus environment there is a great feature in American universities, that is, they have no walls. When you drive a car in American avenues, you will easy to go into a university without noticing it. Because they have no gates, no walls, you can not even find a striking sign with its name on it. It’s their spirit which means the openness and freedom in my opinion. While in China, all the universities are surrounded with walls and fence. All have impressive signs and magnificent gates. Fourth, different educational idea In USA, education is not only in school. The Americans pay more attention to family education. When we communicated with some American families, we knew that many children accepted primary and elementary school courses at home. Because most Americans are educated people, parents have the ability to teach their child at home. Generally speaking, the parents divide the responsibility to teach their child English, science, art and literature. Of course, the children must take exams to pursue their study at universities. Fifth, different customs and behaviors Americans are very open and enthusiastic. They express their feelings directly. It’s rather different from the connotation of Chinese people. For example, when an American man meets a woman, he will kiss her in the cheek. It’s a kind of politeness while in China it’s rare. And when an American see an unfamiliar person eye to eye, they will say Hi or nod to each other. Americans like parties. When I was there, I had been to many family parties and student parties. They have open mind and make a great number of friends. The education ways, atmosphere, ideas, campus environment and their behaviors differ from ours in many aspects.