Chinese and Western Mannerisms

In recent years, as China begins to emerge from its isolation and open up to influences from the outside world, the country has undergone tremendous changes in terms of culture and lifestyle. Still, on a land traversed by thousands of years of civilization and tradition, there are things Chinese that will stubbornly remain Chinese for a long time to come. It is a common saying in China that ‘it is easy to change a kingdom, but it is hard to change a basic character.’

Whether the Chinese are going to church, playing online computer games or circling the world in a space craft, they are still the good old race shaped by a culture and philosophy very much remote and strange to the outside world. To the Chinese, there are only two kinds of people in the world, the Chinese and the laowai, which means ‘old outsider’. Other than their physical appearance and language, there are certain endemic characteristics that make them distinctively Chinese.

The most prominent difference in the mannerisms of the Westerners and the Chinese is the way they approach a particular task. While Westerners are more likely to make blueprints and plan far ahead, the Chinese prefer to do things more spontaneously. For example, before a Westerner travels to a foreign country, much research and preparations are done to ensure a convenient and safe journey. Everything from the weight of the bag to travel insurance has to be properly arranged and any information pertaining to the country of travel will be thoroughly studied to eliminate the chances of accidents (including things such as reading every article on chinawushu.org!). However, even for extreme traveling such as migration, the Chinese can be ready for the go with just a week’s notice or two. You will seldom see a Chinese holding a map, or carrying a large set of luggage in a foreign land. This spirit of adventure is still stronger in the Chinese compared to the Westerners.

It has been said that part of the reason for this fundamental difference in mentality is religion based, where many western countries originally believed in a monotheistic God, and the influences in this religion lead to an attitude of planning ahead and an absolute certainty. The religious background of Chinese people is based upon Buddhism and Daoism, which tend be more based on nature which leads people to expect continuous change, as it exists in nature.

However, with the pursuit of industrialization and Western influences riding high among the priorities of the present day Chinese, the culture of spontaneity is gradually waning. It is not surprising to see a Chinese going through elaborate planning for such things as career and education, particularly for the new generation. This is precisely the effects of modernization, and whatever the race or culture, nobody can escape the cultural changes that come with material ambitions. Then again, the Chinese are making effort to integrate modernity with their ancient philosophy, so that their roots can be preserved to stand the test of time.

By right, all human beings conform to a universal culture, and possess the same understanding and response system governed by a basic order of human needs. Generally, it is not beyond the grasp of foreigners how a race of people develops their particular habits and mannerisms if it is assessed from a point of common human understanding. As much as the Westerners’ approach to life is sound from all perspectives of reasoning, the Chinese do possess a credible philosophy of things. It is encouraging that mutual interest in each other’s culture is developing at a very favorable rate, and as this cultural exchange persists, there may well come a time when ‘the twains shall meet’.

The last-minute lifestyle may take some getting used to when you first arrive in China, however many people have found that after their travels they too adopt a more relaxed and spontaneous attitude towards travels and plans in general. If you do have a strict schedule you must keep to, you should make sure others are aware of it and politely communicate with them to make sure they understand it.