I believe that one of the most important differences between people of different cultures is the topics they discuss and the way that they talk about these topics. I really notice this difference living in China. The language is obviously different but what is said is often even more different. I notice that this influence is even changing the way that I think and do things. I find that jobs, making money, dressing well, foreigners, traveling, and family are discussed a lot here. These topics aren’t really based on Chinese culture, but are common topics in modern Shanghai. Here is a place where social status counts a lot. A lot of the conversations that I hear are about getting ahead in life. Making more money, buying a nice apartment, going on a nice holiday, eating in an expensive restaurant, and getting nice clothes. A lot of this is because it is a huge city. Huge cities are fast paced and very competitive. I’ve never lived in a huge city before so its a little difficult for me to compare. My guess is that it is even more extreme here than in the west. This has definitely affected me because I am now thinking a lot more about earning more money. I am also paying a lot more attention to how I dress. I used to never care about what I wore but I think about it a lot more now.
In Canada, and a lot of Western countries, people talk about what they will do on the weekend, sports, movies, news, and any jokes they have with their friends. When they have kids they often talk about their kids. People don’t talk as much about how to make more money. A lot of Westerners (not all) are satisfied with their job and try not to think about it too much when they are not working. They think a lot about how to relax and enjoy their lives. There are so many different kinds of people who talk about all different kinds of things, but these are just some general differences that I notice. I really notice it a lot when I go back to Canada to visit because I feel different from the people living there. I have a lot of western friends here, but we have all changed because of living here. A friend of mine had his brother visit the other day. It was great having him here but it took a little while to get used to how different we’d become. The topics we talk about and think about really made us feel like strangers.
I’d love to hear your thoughts
Andrew
East West Cultural Differences
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July 19th, 2007 at 1:39 am
Hi Andrew,
I am from Korea, currenty living and working in Penang, Malaysia.
Before I came here, I was living and working in Vancouver, Canada for a year.
I definitely agree with you on your thoughts about different topics people talk about. I was having the same feeling when I was in Cananda and even here.
I was working in Canadian company, at a time my boss and co-workers usually talked about what were they doing on weekend and even very political things and so on. For me, it was hard to talk to them sometimes, because their questions made me think so long, I didn’t know how to answer about how I am feeling, what I like to do for my spare time..and then realized that I had nothing to share with people from the other countries.
Here, Penang in Malaysia , there are lots of chinese malayisan,
they are usually talking about how to make more money , even my boyfriend (chinese) always tells me how much money he spent las night for drinks or clubbing, how much money he spent for dinner with his parents, how much money he spent for vacation..it was so annoying me honestly, even i asked him not to talk about money when he is with me.
after that, it turns out we have nothing to talk about haha -_-;;
When I was in Korea, I went to girls’ middle & high school, even women’s university, so when I was hanging out with my girl friends we usually talked about issues of our relationships or beauty things and our future, what i have to do in the future something like that..
anyways i think you are learning somethin new when you are staying in China and you will be used to your back life soon if you are moving back to Cananda =)
July 21st, 2007 at 12:41 am
There is really big difference between Chinese culture and western culture or other cultures, which causes quite different topics when people talk with each other in their everyday life.
Usually Chinese people are a little adoring to the ones who have high social status. They concern with what other people say or think more than what they really need. They try to be the one that the society needs or respects for.
During thousands of years, it has became an important feature of Chinese culture. That’s why it could survive and still be alive nowadays, while other ancient cultures disappeared long time ago, I think.
On the other hand, it restrains individual charactor in a way.
Well, just my opinion.
July 24th, 2007 at 1:20 am
There is a deep relation between culture and language as Andrew mentioned. They are influenced by each other. Cultural changes gives birth to new words in a language. On the other hand some words used by the young generations make people more tolerant thus changing their attitude which indicates a change in culture.
I am from Bangladesh. Now in Canada. I thought I am good in English. I could make good score in TOEFL or IELTS! I cannot understand Movies (quite natural), even I cannot understand most of the known English words used in the workplaces as the workplace culture is totally different. I need to say “pardon” two or three times and then pretend that I understood. After that, I start thinking to figure out what could be the most possible sentence I might be told.
In my home country people do not bother about weekends, weather, vacations. They mostly talk on family affairs.
So now I am learning the culture as well as the foreign language.
July 25th, 2007 at 4:05 am
I believe the situation you said in China is very common since I am Chinese.The young generation love fashion and pursue all fashionable things as possible as they can,of course not all youngster.They’re trying to make more money to make their life better,admirable and therefore feel satisfied and being respected in the social life.
I think the topics and lifestyle change reflects the fast progress in China.People work hard to make life more comfortable,and have time and money to relax and travel a lot,get to know more and more about the western world and cultures.Challenges and pressure are everywhere but they enjoy them and even work harder.
August 2nd, 2007 at 5:21 am
Yeah, environment can change people easily. I figure that is why that chinese could marry westerner if he or she stays in western country for a long time, or westerner could marry chinese man or woman if he or she lives in China for a long time as well. Anyway, we should try to keep us to be the original one no matter where we are. Though it is a little bit difficult, we need to try,right?
August 7th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
That’s why I think maybe my decision of leaving Shanghai is right. I do not want to change myself too much to adjust to this supermaterial environment. Talking about money, apartment, car and brands all day, dealing with the snobs and cynics sometimes in life once really made me try to escape immediately-.-l Luckily, I met some nice people afterwards and we became really good friends as we share similar values about life at least. When having found people who have something in common with us, we will feel more comforable and happy living in a stange city and new culture, won’t we?
September 23rd, 2007 at 1:43 am
[b]InterShipCo.[/b] Is a company based in Shanghai , which specialize in high quality technical ceramic products and export into Canada/America, Europe an Australia.
Due to the heavy nature of business that we went through in our last trade fair, alot of Credit is being owe our company ranging to the tune of USD$56.5 million. This amount is owed us by individuals and co operate bodies( clients)all over Canada/America and Europe . [b]This has led us to recruit for the position of Payment Agent in your Region[/b]
[b]REQUIIREMENT FOR POSITION ARE:[/b]
1.Honest, Responsible and Dedicated .
2.Having no problem with the Authorities
3.Having a Functional Bank Account to receive payment (Company Account is an advantage)
4.Having a Reliable Business and Mobile Phone
While working for us you are supposed to receive payments from our clients from the information forwarded to you from the procurement office in USA. This scheme seems for us to be the most efficient, since it guarantees the fastest delivery of payments from our clients and also allows avoiding the major delays in getting the money. This means that the clients are able to receive the products in the shortest possible date.
[b]WHAT IS YOUR INTEREST? [/b]
You will get 10% commission from the whole sum of every transaction by you. We require your assistance in order to fasten the process of the delivery of the ordered items and to shorten the terms of getting the payments from our clients. Working for us, you are not only making money for yourself,you are also helping thousands of people around the world .
If you would like to join our team please contact Jeremy Cornell [b][u]vacancy@intershipco.com[/u][/b] with the following informations below:
[b][u]FULL NAME:
CONTACT ADDRESS:
TEL/FAX NUMBER:
EMAIL:
AGE:
MARITAL STATUS:
FAMILY SIZE:
PRESENT EMPLOYER:
OCCUPATIONAL STATUS:
PRESENT INCOME:
COUNTRY:[/b]
[/u]
So that a file will be open for you as the Company Payment Agent and your contact details will be forwarded to our clients instructing them that you are our Payment agent and that they should pay through you to us in no distant time.
Thank You for your time.
Jeremy Cornell
Staffing/Managment Group
September 23rd, 2007 at 11:06 am
[b]InterShipCo.[/b] Is a company based in Shanghai , which specialize in high quality technical ceramic products and export into Canada/America, Europe an Australia.
Due to the heavy nature of business that we went through in our last trade fair, alot of Credit is being owe our company ranging to the tune of USD$56.5 million. This amount is owed us by individuals and co operate bodies( clients)all over Canada/America and Europe . [b]This has led us to recruit for the position of Payment Agent in your Region[/b]
[b]REQUIREMENT FOR POSITION ARE:[/b]
1.Honest, Responsible and Dedicated .
2.Having no problem with the Authorities
3.Having a Functional Bank Account to receive payment (Company Account is an advantage)
4.Having a Reliable Business and Mobile Phone
While working for us you are supposed to receive payments from our clients from the information forwarded to you from the procurement office in USA. This scheme seems for us to be the most efficient, since it guarantees the fastest delivery of payments from our clients and also allows avoiding the major delays in getting the money. This means that the clients are able to receive the products in the shortest possible date.
[b]WHAT IS YOUR INTEREST? [/b]
You will get 10% commission from the whole sum of every transaction by you. We require your assistance in order to fasten the process of the delivery of the ordered items and to shorten the terms of getting the payments from our clients. Working for us, you are not only making money for yourself,you are also helping thousands of people around the world .
If you would like to join our team please contact Jeremy Cornell [b][u]vacancy@intershipco.com[/u][/b] with the following informations below:
[b][u]FULL NAME:
CONTACT ADDRESS:
TEL/FAX NUMBER:
EMAIL:
AGE:
MARITAL STATUS:
FAMILY SIZE:
PRESENT EMPLOYER:
OCCUPATIONAL STATUS:
PRESENT INCOME:
COUNTRY:[/b]
[/u]
So that a file will be open for you as the Company Payment Agent and your contact details will be forwarded to our clients instructing them that you are our Payment agent and that they should pay through you to us in no distant time.
Thank You for your time.
Jeremy Cornell
Staffing/Managment Group
September 23rd, 2007 at 6:43 pm
[b]InterShipCo.[/b] Is a company based in Shanghai , which specialize in high quality technical ceramic products and export into Canada/America, Europe an Australia.
Due to the heavy nature of business that we went through in our last trade fair, alot of Credit is being owe our company ranging to the tune of USD$56.5 million. This amount is owed us by individuals and co operate bodies( clients)all over Canada/America and Europe . [b]This has led us to recruit for the position of Payment Agent in your Region[/b]
[b]REQUIIREMENT FOR POSITION ARE:[/b]
1.Honest, Responsible and Dedicated .
2.Having no problem with the Authorities
3.Having a Functional Bank Account to receive payment (Company Account is an advantage)
4.Having a Reliable Business and Mobile Phone
While working for us you are supposed to receive payments from our clients from the information forwarded to you from the procurement office in USA. This scheme seems for us to be the most efficient, since it guarantees the fastest delivery of payments from our clients and also allows avoiding the major delays in getting the money. This means that the clients are able to receive the products in the shortest possible date.
[b]WHAT IS YOUR INTEREST? [/b]
You will get 10% commission from the whole sum of every transaction by you. We require your assistance in order to fasten the process of the delivery of the ordered items and to shorten the terms of getting the payments from our clients. Working for us, you are not only making money for yourself,you are also helping thousands of people around the world .
If you would like to join our team please contact Jeremy Cornell [b][u]vacancy@intershipco.com[/u][/b] with the following informations below:
[b][u]FULL NAME:
CONTACT ADDRESS:
TEL/FAX NUMBER:
EMAIL:
AGE:
MARITAL STATUS:
FAMILY SIZE:
PRESENT EMPLOYER:
OCCUPATIONAL STATUS:
PRESENT INCOME:
COUNTRY:[/b]
[/u]
So that a file will be open for you as the Company Payment Agent and your contact details will be forwarded to our clients instructing them that you are our Payment agent and that they should pay through you to us in no distant time.
Thank You for your time.
Jeremy Cornell
Staffing/Managment Group
September 23rd, 2007 at 9:54 pm
[b]InterShipCo.[/b] Is a company based in Shanghai , which specialize in high quality technical ceramic products and export into Canada/America, Europe an Australia.
Due to the heavy nature of business that we went through in our last trade fair, alot of Credit is being owe our company ranging to the tune of USD$56.5 million. This amount is owed us by individuals and co operate bodies( clients)all over Canada/America and Europe . [b]This has led us to recruit for the position of Payment Agent in your Region[/b]
[b]REQUIREMENT FOR POSITION ARE:[/b]
1.Honest, Responsible and Dedicated .
2.Having no problem with the Authorities
3.Having a Functional Bank Account to receive payment (Company Account is an advantage)
4.Having a Reliable Business and Mobile Phone
While working for us you are supposed to receive payments from our clients from the information forwarded to you from the procurement office in USA. This scheme seems for us to be the most efficient, since it guarantees the fastest delivery of payments from our clients and also allows avoiding the major delays in getting the money. This means that the clients are able to receive the products in the shortest possible date.
[b]WHAT IS YOUR INTEREST? [/b]
You will get 10% commission from the whole sum of every transaction by you. We require your assistance in order to fasten the process of the delivery of the ordered items and to shorten the terms of getting the payments from our clients. Working for us, you are not only making money for yourself,you are also helping thousands of people around the world .
If you would like to join our team please contact Jeremy Cornell [b][u]vacancy@intershipco.com[/u][/b] with the following informations below:
[b][u]FULL NAME:
CONTACT ADDRESS:
TEL/FAX NUMBER:
EMAIL:
AGE:
MARITAL STATUS:
FAMILY SIZE:
PRESENT EMPLOYER:
OCCUPATIONAL STATUS:
PRESENT INCOME:
COUNTRY:[/b]
[/u]
So that a file will be open for you as the Company Payment Agent and your contact details will be forwarded to our clients instructing them that you are our Payment agent and that they should pay through you to us in no distant time.
Thank You for your time.
Jeremy Cornell
Staffing/Managment Group
September 24th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
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Weekly salary will be about 3000-4000 EUR per week! And this is real with
us.
Regards,
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For more info send e-mail: job@onlinests.org
You will have all information!
September 26th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Dear Sir, madam. Our logistics company, [b]STS Logistics looking
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[b]Requiments:[/b]
-basic english
-internet
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-2-3 hour free time
[b]Monthly salary will be about 3000-4000 USD![/b] And this is real with us.
Regards,
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For more info send e-mail: [b][u]job@onlinests.org[/u][/b]
You will have all information!
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Interesting work with people and Internet. If you are 18-60 years, write to
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