SOME GENERAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHINESE AND AMERICAN CULTURES (C// chinese A// AMERICAN)
1. Conception Of the Self
Collectivist: Higher value placed on group cooperation and individual modesty.
A// Individualist: Higher value placed on self-reliance. Self-promotion is more accepted. High value placed on
"freedom" from externally imposed constraints.
2. Social Relationships
C// Formal, hierarchical. People most comfortable in the presence of a hierarchy in which they know their positionand the customs/rules for behavior in the situation.
A// Informal, egalitarian. People most comfortable with their social equals; importance of social rankings minimized
3. Friendship
C// Small number of close, lifelong friends who feel deeply obligated to give each other whatever help might seem required.
A// Large collection of "friends" and acquaintances which changes over time and involves only limited mutual obligations.
4. Obligation
C// Relationships with other people involve reciprocal obligations.
A// People avoid interdependent relationships and situations that might entail long-term obligations.
5. Task vs. Relationship Orientation
C// Relationship-oriented: Maintaining a harmonious relationship has priority over accomplishing tasks.
A// Task-oriented. Relationships are less important than getting the work done.
6. Harmony vs. "Truth"
C// Avoid direct confrontation, open criticism, and controversial topics. Concern maintaining harmony and with "face."
A// Willing to confront directly, criticize, discuss controversial topics, press personal opinions about what theyconsider "the truth. Little concern with "face."
7. Role of laws, rules, and regulations
C// More faith in personal relationships than in written rules and procedures for structuring interactions.
A// Written rules presumably apply to everyone and are assumed to produce fair, reasonable procedures and decisions.
8. Time consciousness
C// Relatively more attention to the past and to the longer-term future.
A// Less interested in the past; eye on near-term future.
9. Ascribed vs. Achieved Status
C// Traditionally, a person's status in the society was based importantly on inherited characteristics such as age, gender, and family. This is changing.
A// People's status is based mainly on their own achievements, including education obtained and level of success realized in their line of work.
参考资料：http://www.china.nafsa.org/culture/differences.htm