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anonymous
Q: Questions about relations between Americans in China
I ask this as an American:
Currently, the USA is very divided politically, religiously, ideologically, and in almost every other way imaginable. What happens to these differences when Americans arrive in China? Do American citizens who are bitterly opposed to one another's thoughts and lifestyles in the USA retain their mutual antagonism and intolerance when they encounter each other in China? Are there any prevailing political, religious, ideological views among American citizens in China?
It really depends.
I have seen some who once they are over here, the differences we have back home seem to pale and not be quite as important as over there. There are others however, usually those that rarely mix with the locals, for whom the differences back home are only AUGMENTED over here.
That's an interesting sociological question.
kchur:
I'm amazed that you managed to write an anonymous question again, then praise yourself again, and not use the word "edify".
you are either very new to china or young or a chinese. if you are chinese my compliments your english is superb.
here is why i say that. anyone who has grown up in usa knows that the media is completely different from the day-to-day life of people. if you are someone i dont like i simply dont deal with you. i dont argue with you or fight you.
also people who travel and live in other countris (especially to countries like china) are more open minded and accepting of other people and other peoples thoughts.
it seems your ideas of what life is like in america comes from just media reports. plus what's up with posting a good question like this anon? my guess you are chinese (if i am wrong i apologize) but your post lacks actual experience living in america
GuilinRaf:
Interesting point regarding avoiding and not having anything to do with those we do not like or get along with!
I do the same thing and it is no big deal, yet when I do that here my Chinese friends are suprised.
CF: Why dont you chat with XX".
Me: X and I dont get along.
CF: But he is Foreigner/American??!!
Me: So?
I have had this dialog quite a few times and NOW it makes sense! Seems that in china, you may not get along with someone but because you are Chinese or from the same village....
Thanks for clearing that up!
crimochina:
that's exactly why i think this poster is chinese. perfect english cant hide chinese thinking.
GuilinRaf:
Yes, I see what you mean. It is almost as if re are "required" to like someone just because we are from the same village, country, hemisphere.
You pose a very interesting and challenging question, but at the same time, while claiming to be an American, if you are really one you truly do not know your countrymen and women.
As individuals in USA, we are free to feel, think, say and do as each feels it should. As a result, your claim that " Currently, the USA is very divided politically, religiously, ideologically, and in almost every other way imaginable " is totally true. But what you do not seem to know is that basically, while each may think or feel differently, we tolerate others' opinions by ignoring them in our daily life. Politically, we do worry about for whom to vote on Election Day, then for the next 4 years we sort of forget them until next election day. Religiously, you are free to believe in whatever Gods fancy you, or in evolution, or to negate the existance of any Gods. No one forces you do believe anything. And it is the same on every other aspect of life.
We live each one of us lives, we do not force upon anyone else (as individuals) our views or thoughts. And in doing so, even with profound differences, we do survive next to each other.
And as we meet in China, we like or dislike the person, the human being, not his views, beliefs, or ideosincracy. Like as a second nature, we do avoid conflictive areas.
But it is a well known fact that while we are basically a nation of individuals, you better not mess with us, because when we feel that you have wronged us as a nation, then we place aside our differences and become a united front, and as a Japanese Admiral said after directing the attack on Pearl Harbor, we (the Japanese) have only awaken a sleeping giant.
GuilinRaf:
And when we DO encounter the occasional nutcase who tries to force his or her beliefs on others, even if they happen to BE our beliefs as well we either cringe or label them as "nut-case".
I have never met anyone in the US who shares my exact beliefs in everything. There are always at least one or two issues which we strongly disagree about. I guess if I DID encounter someone who felt, or claimed to feel the same way with each and every single one of my beliefs, I would be creeped out or even distrustful of his/her motivations.
The deep divisions are what makes America great. If some American wants to, I don't know, invent more important technology in the last 200 years than China has managed in the last thousand, they don't have to worry about things I'm not allowed to mention in China. Instead of putting up a bunch of signs that say "innovation" everywhere, Americans are perfectly free to be as innovative as they want without having to worry about repercussions. And they don't even need signs ordering them.
Americans are united in the sense that, in spite of disagreement about individual issues, almost all of them believe fr**d*m of th**ght and *xpr*ss**n will lead their country to greatness, and it worked much better than China's strategy of "kill anyone who makes a handful of piss-ignorant, egotistical old oligarchs slightly uncomfortable" and "destroy innovation if it threatens the monopolies held by the family members of said oligarchs."
Also edify edify edify edify edify edify edify edify edify edify edify edify edify edify edify edify
GuilinRaf:
There is also the whole "thinking outside the box" mentality. It was so rare, that employers were actually asking for employees to think outside the box.
Now it is frowned upon UNLESS it results in a resounding success.
Wow a new and interesting question!
I don't know about Americans, but when it comes to French people, the ones who've been here a long time don't reject French people with different beliefs. But the fresh newcomers sometimes do...
I'm Canadian, but basically the same culture as USA. It's not our differences that divide us, it's our common interests that unite us. Most of my friends are either involved in a hobby or interest of mine or are the type that can either laugh at a joke or are funny. But sometimes we have disagreements over ideas. i think sharing different views is good, sometimes someone does have a better idea.
I have no interest in being politically correct and any subject is fair game for me to poke at. It's harder to write humour than it is to make a wise crack. I generally have little use for people I can't make laugh. I can sometimes make Chinese people in stores laugh without speaking Chinese but just acting out. I made a woman ticket agent just about fall out of her chair laughing last night in Shenzhen just with a few words and motions, and an African guy found my hunting questions hysterical for the same reasons.
