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Q: Which part of Westernization in China do you think is for the best?
Marriages getting closer to our marriages?
More compassion toward animals?
...?
Animal cruelty/awareness seems to be taking off here which is for the best after years of barbaric treatment towards them it seems people are taking notice of this. But people are still unaware of some of the charities here like WWF who are the people stopping heartless humans in China.
Another one is transport some might say it is bad with all the crowds and delays but if you look at it 10years ago China had no high speed rail, 20years ago no one would dare step on a Chinese airline, 1 line subways now the subways in China are growing each year.
Increased sanitation and food safety standards would be for the best.....maybe someday.
mArtiAn:
Increased sanitation? That's not westernization, that's just having more money.
cooter:
You say po-TAY-to, I say po-TAH-to.... And do you think if they had more money, the sanitation levels would magically rise to WESTERN standards? No? I didn't think so either....
mArtiAn:
Why not? If you look at any first world country, increased sanitation is a natural step as an economy grows. I don't see why China should be different.
cooter:
I like your optimism, but it's a bit naive I think. The combination of me-first thinking (I don't care how dirty or unsafe your food is, as long as I can get some money) and "face" (even if you serve me shit on a plate, I can't complain...can't cause you to lose face. Also why no one complains about pissing, shitting, spitting, littering etc in public) doesn't bode well for effecting any real change.
mArtiAn:
Ok, now this is something I reaaally don't get; shitting in public? On my life, in all the years i've been here, I have never, ever, come across anything, that looked like human excrement, or any person pinching a loaf in the street. I mean, really, is that a thing? You've seen this? Some guy reading the paper and taking a dump outside the post office? I don't think such behaviour is representative of most Chinese. Spitting is clearly becoming less too.
As for your other points, I can say yes, I am possibly naive, in that I believe firmly that people are essentially the same, regardless of race or culture. The 'me first' thing is just the rat-race, isn't it? Nothing new about that. Step further down the economic ladder and the race exhibits different characteristics but it's still the same old same old to my mind. Beyond that people here are looking out for their young ones, just as we do back on Myrearaches, and as their economic situation improves they will naturally choose to improve conditions for their kids.
cooter:
Yep, wish I hadn't seen it...but I've seen the public shitting first hand. This includes both toddlers with the crotch-less pants and also grown men. When your potty training consists of making a face, and maybe a grunt and then doing your business then and there....I guess that just carries with you for life. Of course, it's not nearly as frequently observed as the pissing and spitting.
And you say spitting is becoming less? When I'm out in public, I can't go fewer than 10 minutes without hearing someone hack up a nice gooey loogey. Granted I've only been here a couple years...so is that an improvement from hearing the loogey sound every 5 minutes?
And yes, as their economic situation improves, Chinese parents are naturally choosing to improve the conditions for their kids.....by sending them to western countries for higher education. Is that considered westernization?
mArtiAn:
Ok, ok, maybe it's my naivety, I don't know. Maybe it's the part of China i'm in but I simply don't see the spitting.....anymore. Rarely anyway. And people taking a piss? Well, ok, I saw some guy taking a piss in the street yesterday, but on the whole that is a rare occasion. Absolutely never seen anyone making no.2 though and i've been here over 6 years. Not even kiddies. Where the hell are you, it's sounds fucking awful!? I'm surprised you ever leave the house from the nightmare you describe. People just pissing, shitting and spitting everywhere like lunatics, it sounds like five minutes with my kid.
Which part 'is' for the best or which part 'would be'? I'm not aware of westernization in China as such. Is having McDonald's or western products on sale westernization? Brisguy's point on increased animal rights sounds like something of a western influence but I wasn't aware that any such changes had come about. Increased freedom of speech would certainly be a western ideal that 'would' be nice to see more of, and with the internet allowing individuals greater ananonaninominimity, that's one change that may prove hard to avoid. Again i'm not sure if that's westernization though. In fact what is westernization, a larger drug culture? Justin Beiber and Britney? Street-dancing? A more diverse music scene? Well i've noticed street-dancing and it's a welcome sight. More diversity in music is always good but has the west really arrived musically? I'm not sure. And Drugs, Britney and Justin Beiber? Just say no.
I think the advance of democracy is the best part of the westernisation of China............. hang on someone at the door.............AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGGggg
