The place to ask China-related questions!
Beijing Shanghai Guangzhou Shenzhen Chengdu Xi'an Hangzhou Qingdao Dalian Suzhou Nanjing More Cities>>

Categories

Close
Welcome to eChinacities Answers! Please or register if you wish to join conversations or ask questions relating to life in China. For help, click here.
X

Verify email

Your verification code has been sent to:

Didn`t receive your code? Resend code

By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .

Sign up with Google Sign up with Facebook
Sign up with Email Already have an account? .
Posts: 104

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Q: Does this forum help locals learn something?

Not every thing that foreigners complain about the Chinese and some aspects of their culture and practices here may have to be changed because every society has its own reasons for doing certain things in a certain way. However, I think some of the things such as hygiene, safe driving, respect for others are simply supposed  to be universal. Have been asking myself if the Chinese friends we have on this forum find some of the topics here really helpful to their society. I mean: are there Chinese who have changed or are changing the way they look at or do certain things because of what they read from this forum? Of course most of the times the complaints are not presented in the kindest tone but they still carry something worth taking note of. Would love to hear from our Chinese friends, although others who have witnessed some change in some of their Chinese friends could equally help.

11 years 42 weeks ago in  General  - China

 
Answers (4)
Comments (1)
Posts: 1693

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Although I'm not Chinese, I would like to address one of the premises of your question, that being, "I think that some of the things such as hygiene, safe driving, respect ofr others are simply supposed to be universal."

 

While I agree with the premise, I would have to ask, "Universal according to whom? And by what standards?" Western? Middle-eastern" African?

One of the hall marks of culture is that if something is common, or "universally" practiced within that culture, it is normal. So, if everyone walks around with bad hygiene, then there is nothing wrong with it according to the dictates of that culture. Only when one who comes from somewhere else is introduced into the system can a comparison be made. The same goes for the other examples that you mentioned.

 

Again, while I do agree with your premise, the first thing many Chinese would remark is that many locals do practice these things that you mentioned. In other words, they do practice good hygiene, drive safely, and have respect for others. The flip side is, if just 20% don't, that is around 250 million, and that is a lot of people to notice, so one could make the assumption that most do not. But I would like to see how others comment on this thoughtful question.

Bona:

The questions you have raised are interesting and had me thinking about my own question. Thanks...but now here is how I look at it: If something is universal I don't think it has to be based on a particular society's standards, otherwise why call it universal? I will be a little simplistic in this example - people in all societies eat food. It's not a practice that originated from one society then exported to others, but a part of life of all peoples. Eating food is therefore 'universal' ( yes a rather silly illustration but wait a moment). Desire for good health or avoidance of diseases is found in all societies - never heard of a society that doesn't care about falling sick. Good health, therefor is 'universal'. It's with this understanding that I'm saying some things e.g hygiene are supposed to be universal. Now, having said that, I would say some of the things we complain about e.g. kids pooing by the road side, spitting all over, going for days on end without a shower  etc are about nothing but  hygiene, aren't they? They are! And no need to mention the health risks that we create for others when we just do these things anyhow!

 

You also argue that if something is practiced universally within a society then it's acceptable. Yes it can be acceptable but my point is not about acceptability. Rather it's about the positive/negative side of that thing. Apractice can be universal, therefore acceptable within a particular society BUT remain harzadous to members of that society. As an example, smoking. In China smoking is almost universal....so many people accept it to the such an extent that it's not even unusual to smoke while carrying a baby in your hands. However, the fact that smoking is acceptable in China doesn't make it less harmful to the Chinese society. Therefore a practice doesn't become 'good' just because it's universal within a society

 

It's in view of such things and the complaints that go with them that I would like to know if  our discussions here do help some Chinese in any way.

11 years 42 weeks ago
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
11 years 42 weeks ago
 
Posts: 9192

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

I probably don't help, with some of the goofy comments I make, like stuffing my girl friend in my suitcase or buying a girl on Ebay. While you know I'm kidding I'm thinking some ESL reader is taking it literally and thinking ''crazy lowai put girl in suitcase''. Thats funny to me.

Mattaya got anything to say from a Chinese perspective?

Report Abuse
11 years 42 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2253

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

It doesn't matter if they learn something. This site is not intended for that purpose. If it teaches them anything, maybe it will teach them more about what foreigners really think of China. However, the smart ones know to take it with a grain of salt. Honestly, I don't think much learning goes on here, it's more about having an open discussion. Besides, there aren't that many Chinese that come on here, at least compared to expats.

Report Abuse
11 years 42 weeks ago
 
Posts: 3025

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

It is not my believe that the main purpose of the existence of this Forum is for Chinese to learn anything.  In my opinion, since this Forum is in English, is mainly aimed at the Ex Pat community living in Asia.  

Maybe as a secondary reason for its existence, it would help Chinese learn, practice and improve their level of English proficiency, also learn what others see as defects present in their society and customs, traditions and way of life from a "laowai" point of view.  And in my eyes, the opportunity to experience what it means to differ, and the right to freely express an opinion.

Now, do they see it under the same light ?.  Only them can say what they get out of a visit here.

Report Abuse
11 years 42 weeks ago
 
Know the answer ?
Please or register to post answer.

Report Abuse

Security Code: * Enter the text diplayed in the box below
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <img> <br> <p> <u>
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Textual smileys will be replaced with graphical ones.

More information about formatting options

Forward Question

Answer of the DayMORE >>
A:  "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "S
A: "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "Shenzhen agent can connect you with an employer, who's authorized to hire waigouren ... and can sponsor Z visa." It's not like every 10th person you meet in Shenzhen's hood can sponsor work visa ...  The only way to change from student to labourer visa is just a regular way by: 1. Finding an employer, who'll apply for an Invitation letter; 2. Exit China and apply for Z visa in your home country's Chinese embassy; 3. Enter China in 30-days after Z visa was stamped into your travelling instrument ...As I am aware, you won't be able to switch to Working permit by remaining in China....,so make ready for a return to your home .... -- icnif77