East Meets West: Culture Differences
The idea of this topic was inspired by Neil’s “Mental Dialogue with Mary” posted a few days ago.
Well, quite contrarily, foreigners especially white people are hundreds times luckier in China no matter they speak good Chinese or not. Usually Chinese people
are friendlier towards foreigners than towards our own folks e.g. when Jews were
driven, were slaughtered everywhere in Europe during World War II, they were kindly accepted and received by Chinese people and settled down in Shanghai, Haerbin and somewhere else.
Those native English speakers are respected even more since Chinese people are now so thirsty on English learning. A foreign appearance becomes golden signboard
when hunting a job. Foreigners seem to be easier to find decent jobs and earn good salaries in China. At least to be an English teacher is a piece of cake no
matter if they are really qualified or not. To most of English Training Schools
it is a shining spark to attract more eyeballs (more money as well, of course)
if they have foreign teachers in school. Even those non-native English speakers
are benefited so long as they look “foreign”. However, we all know that speaking is one thing, teaching is another thing.
Another interesting thing is that more and more foreigners frequently appear in
Chinese TV Programs of education or entertainments and become very popular. Their popularity is beyond one’s imagination. We even have special TV programs once or twice a year for foreigners to show their talents and skills and abilities
on singing Chinese songs, singing Peking Opera, dancing, painting or talk shows
in Chinese language. We do not care much actually, whether they speak real good Chinese as we do or they are really gifted on something, it is just for fun and to show our friendship and kindness. It seems that foreigners also enjoy so much because such programs have lasted over 10 years and still more foreigners would like to take part in. I can hardly imagine such things will happen in US or
Canada.
I personally think this is because China still lags behind economically in the world though we have achieved greatly in the past two or three decades. Nevertheless, we are delighted to find out that the world is changing. Chinese language
is also becoming popular and foreigners can speak pretty good mandarin with local staff when they work or study in China.
I am proud to be a Chinese especially proud for what we have achieved in history
. I particularly wish the inner beauty of unique Chinese character calligraphy
will be appreciated and be admired by more and more foreigners.