Understanding Chinese Culture

[brett]

Hi guys,

This question has been bothering me for a while. My lady worried that I did not know that much about Chinese culture. But I have enough lucky cats and woks in my house to prove that I know more about China than most Westerners.

So that got me thinking. The differences between Hong Kong Chinese culture and what I saw in Hubei Province - are these due to differences between the mainland and Hong Kong, or is it more of a Cantonese/Sichuan thing?

I think 1% of the UK population is of Chinese ethnicity, but the vast majority are Cantonese. Consequently it is actually quite difficult to find mainland stuff over here (e.g. Sichuan restaurants are very rare compared to Cantonese).

Here's some things I noticed:

In Hong Kong there were many temples. I don't remember seeing any in Yichang or Wuhan. Did they mostly disappear in the cultural revolution?

In Hong Kong many business had little shrines outside or inside. Again I didn't remember seeing any in Hubei Province. I saw plenty of lucky cats, but that was about it.

The Hong Kong hotel I stayed in had no 4 or 14th floors. For a time I was actually petrified that my lady would find out my house number is 14. But now I don't think it would bother her.

My Chinese culture book mentions colours that ladies don't like wearing, yet my lady wears them. It also mentions that ladies don't tend to celebrate their 30th birthdays, but mine just did :huh:.

[RegnisTheGreat]

In Hong Kong there were many temples. I don't remember seeing any in Yichang or Wuhan. Did they mostly disappear in the cultural revolution?

They were mostly destoryed in the "Old Four" campaign during the cultural revolution.

In Hong Kong many business had little shrines outside or inside. Again I didn't remember seeing any in Hubei Province. I saw plenty of lucky cats, but that was about it.

Again, the "Old Four" camapign during the cultural revolutoion. Manay peopel took the shrines down to avoid being pesecuted.

The Hong Kong hotel I stayed in had no 4 or 14th floors. For a time I was actually petrified that my lady would find out my house number is 14. But now I don't think it would bother her.

Four in Cantonese sounds close to the Cantonese word for Death. The no 4 or 14 is most prevalent in the Cantonese speaking area. It has started to spread out more but its not as prevalent in general.

My Chinese culture book mentions colours that ladies don't like wearing, yet my lady wears them. It also mentions that ladies don't tend to celebrate their 30th birthdays, but mine just did Huh. Depends on what colour and your lady, it could again be a Cantonese thing or just she's an ultra modern woman for you.

[brett]

Thanks guys. Yes my lady thinks I need to learn more about her culture, but I'm thinking... er, what kind of things? I guess she could mean the food, the festivals, the chopsticks usage and the language. Maybe I should hang my washing from an electricity pole or wash my vegetables in the street :icon_confused:?

But as to Chinese soap operas, well I'm not likely to ever become a fan of those. And Chinese popular culture, well I filled my suitcase with bargain priced music CDs and DVDs but once I took away the Jolin Tsai (Taiwan) and the Korean artists it turned out I hadn't actually found any mainland Chinese artists at all :icon_cheesygrin:.

[Paul Todd]

Brett,

If you want to learn about Chinese history and culture and impress your lady visit  http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/   I posted the link on another thread a while back. It's well worth a few hours of your time

[Willy The Londoner]

I find the biggest shame is that some people come to China and do not embrace the Chinese culture or the way of life.

The first thing they look for is McDonalds, KFC and Starbucks ands make these places their comfort zones.  

And they stay in £100 a night hotels where the staff speak Engish.

Its like going on a package tour that takes in The Great Wall, Tianimen Square and the Terracotta Warriors and the tourists think they know China!!!

If your going to marry a Chinese lady you need to live with them, eat what their family eats and know exactly what problems they face in every day life and how they deal with matters within a family.  

Is it not a wonder that when some men leave visiting China the ladies think they have met just another tourist?

Willy

[maxx]

Good point Willy.That is what I have ben trying to tell people all along.

[Vince G]

Thus the reason I haven't been to Europe yet. I'll be going to China first but I didn't want to do a one week tour of Europe? I want to stay a while in each country and see the real way of living there. The plan eventually is to live in China some months. But that's me? I don't like rushing through a place and say I was there.

[brett]

Actually I'm beginning to change my mind. Sure it is important to learn about Chinese culture. Things like the concept of face, and the importance of parents, yes they're important. But I wonder if I got it all wrong. Instead of me learning about Chinese culture, maybe my lady needed to learn more about Western culture.

Vince - yes a week is a ridiculously short time in which to see Europe. We Europeans laugh at the Americans who see London one day, Paris the next. I guess it is the same as those folk who do the escorted trips to China. To be fair though I did find it hard going in China - I couldn't find an English map of Wuhan and all the hotel's guidebooks were in French! When I wasn't with my lady I lived on McDonalds and instant noodles - visiting the local restaurants was a daunting task when all the menus were in Chinese and the staff hadn't seen many Westerners, letalone learnt any English. On my travels I have gone into restaurants where the locals eat, but I find it very uncomfortable due to the misunderstandings that often arise.

[Vince G]

Believe me you couldn't see New York City in a weekend let along a country in Europe. Younger days I wanted to backpack it through Europe. But after schooling was over I was already married and God forbid if she chipped a nail? or did something like take a walk?

My China doll hasn't been many places in China but is willing to explore. I don't have a time schedule yet but I'll figure that in later. Besides I'll be going there more then once. I'll be relying on her to make sure the right food is ordered (she knows no dog in the diet), a good place to sleep and how the money "Doesn't" get spent. Ya see we are alike in many ways. She moved into a place and cleaned and painted, and redecorated. She doesn't eat out much for she thinks the places are dirty? The only difference is she hasn't been on a plane yet, where I have to many times. We are both adventurous. So I am learning what I can from here before I go to see it in person. Seeing the culture, being there, is a must, especially if we are to marry.

[David S]

... the Terracotta Warriors ...

Actually these guys are in DC now. I think I will see if I can get to see them while they are here.

[David5o]

I agree with what Willy has stated in his post, but let's face it those that are visiting China as tourists are not ever going to know the real China. They are just touring and wanting to see those famous sites and places, that they have always heard about but haven't had the opportunity to see for themselves.

Those that are going to China to Visit there ladies are more interested in getting to know their ladies and are (or should be) a little more clued up on what to expect, and have some knowledge of the local customs and culture of the province/city they are visiting.

You don't necessarily need to embrace the Chinese culture and there customs, but you do need to respect them. As Willy said you should experience the different food dishes and normal family cuisine. Really find out what makes a normal family tick (your ladies family), and how they go about getting things done, and over coming family problems, ....normal family life in other words!!!

I keep seeing comments made about ''Face'' mostly from those that know little, or nothing about it. Face is basically in the mans domain, women have very little to do with Face, apart from there own self respect and family respect. If you are a decent man, and treat women and others with decency and respect and as you would expect others to treat you, then you, don't need to worry about anyone's Face, you have it covered.... Yes it is that simple, i have never given the Face thing a second thought, in all the time i was living and working in China and Hong Kong.
That's not to say i don't know about it, just that it is over emphasised on here, sometimes to the point of being ridiculous. If your a gentleman (or know how to be a gentleman) Then you will rarely if ever lose your lady her Face....


David.....

[RegnisTheGreat]

What's wrong with dogs? You have to try it once! Woof! Woof! Moew! Moew!

:icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin:

[NataLie143]

As far as I know, he Culture of China is one of the world's oldest and most complex cultures. The area in which the culture is dominant covers a large geographical region in eastern Asia with customs and traditions varying greatly between towns, cities and provinces. Does it affect other country?


________________________
Oklahoma City

[Vince G]

Does it affect other country?

This is something you could answer yourself. Your from the Philippines, How does it affect you? Are there customs or parts of the china mainland culture there? Also what is the tie to Oklahoma City?

[ttwjr32]

i think willy summed it up well. live it and learn it.
 i have been doing that and it has been quite eventfull.
 i quit asking what it was just tried it and if i liked it Sisi
 stored that in her mind and she remembers all the food i
 enjoy eating and we still experiment at times with some other things.
usually something new each time we eat. but i will admit it is
different from what i got at home in the usa