Culture differences between Chinese and American

Intercultural Communication

Title:Culture Difference Between Chinese and Western Countries

学院：建设管理与房地产学院

专 业：房地产经营管理 学 号：20090813 姓 名：孙豪 老 师：杜瑾

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June 06 2011

Culture Difference Between Chinese and Western Countries

Thesis statement: We all know the culture of Chinese and western countries can be totally

different in many aspects.Now we will talk about some main culture differences between Chinese and western,and try to summarize some conclusion.

PS:Because America is the representative country of western countries,we'll make a comparison between China and America. Outline：

1. Introduction

2. Comparison between Chinese culture and American culture in some aspects 3. The questionnaire

4. Reasons for the differences 5. Conclusion 6. Works cited

Culture differences between Chinese and American

1. Introduction

China is a large country and with it developing faster and faster,the relationship between Chinese and western countries has been closer and closer.The chances to meet with foreigners have also been improved.Obviously,there are many cultural differences between American and Chinese can be found in many aspects of daily communication, including addressing, greeting and parting,compliments, apologies, thanks, etc.Now we will look at some cultural differences between China and America in a profound way on the basis of the statistics of questionnaire (the questionnaire is on page 2).

1)Collectivism and Individualism 2)Independence and Teamwork 3)Table manners

4)The concept of friendship

2. Comparison between Chinese culture and American culture in some aspects

1)Collectivism and Individualism

Because of the Chinese social system,Chinese attach importance to the families and the collectivism level,but America seems to take Individualism seriously.There are many ways showing us the difference,such as the movies,the teleplay,the news and so on.To sum up, Individual concepts Collectivism is more popular in China while individualism in America. Chinese often owe a success to a group. Facing praise, they appear very modest and say a lot of formulae. Under the similar circumstance, Americans are more likely to tend to individualism and will accept the praise directly.

According to the questionnaire,57.3% Chinese students think that Collectivism is more important and only 12.5% think that Individualism is more important.

2)Independence and Teamwork

As we all know,there is one sentence that A Chinese person can be a dragon,but two Chinese people will be two worms describing Chinese people.That means Chinese always do things on their own.However,American attend to cooperation with partner.Also,Chinese don't like to share their sadness or pain with other people,but when American were in trouble,they will ask friends or someone to help them handle it.Although this is on the one hand,we can summarize that Chinese

prefer doing things on their own,while American like to do things in a team.

According to the questionnaire,71.3% Chinese students like to do things on their own,14% believe that teamwork is more effective,and 14.7% think that it doesn't matter.80.9% Chinese students tend to handle difficulties by themselves,10% have no idea. 3）Table manners

In the class,we had learnt there are countless differences of manners between Chinese and American , especially the table manners.Firstly,the main difference on the Chinese dinner table is chopsticks instead of knife and fork.Secondly, in America, you have your own plate of food, while in China the dishes are placed on the table and everyone shares.Thirdly, in formal dinners, there are always \"public\" chopsticks and spoons for this purpose, but some hosts may use their own chopsticks , which is a sign of genuine friendship and politeness. It is always polite to eat the food. If you do not eat it, just leave the food in the plate.Last but not least,people in China tend to over-order food, for they will find it embarrassing if all the food is wasted.When you have had enough, just say so.Or you will always overeat.

According to the questionnaire,30% Chinese students have little knowledge about the western countries' table manners,60% Chinese students give me equivocal reply,and only 10% Chinese students know about the manners well. 4）The concept of friendship

Friendship In China, many people usually have a few friends though their life, but the friendship between them may last long.Friends are willing to help each other even anywhere anytime. In America, people may have many friends and acquaintances while their relations are not deep and they are changeable.American always say:\"we are just friends.\"It seems to be so cold,but it's their culture.In China,Chinese make their circle of friends as small as possible,and last their friendship as long as possible.It seems to be random,but every friends will be selected elaborately.In fact, friendships in the US are ones where there are absolutely no obligations. Friends do not expect anything of each other.American would not ask a friend to take him/her to the airport, unless the friend was very, very close. Americans are often uncomfortable with the close reciprocity and obligation that friendship in other countries entails.Indeed, friends do not even visit or call at inconvenient times, even if the situation is urgent. And they feel free to refuse something, if it did not fit in with their plans.

According to the questionnaire,19.7% Chinese students think that their friendship can only last for a short time,26.0% have no idea,54.3% believe that their friendship can lasts for a long time. 3. The questionnaire

中美文化差异调查问卷

年龄： 性别：

1、你觉得集体荣誉重要还是个人荣誉重要？

A) 集体荣誉 B) 个人荣誉 C)没什么概念 D）都不重要

2、你更喜欢一个人做事还是团队做事？ A）一个人 B）团队 C）无所谓

3、遇到困难，你倾向于一个人处理还是寻人帮助？ A）一个人 B）寻人帮助 C)不知道

4、你是否了解中西餐桌礼仪？

A)是 B)不是 C)不确定

5、你觉得你的朋友多么？

A)很多 B)一般 C)不多不少 D)很少

6、你觉得你和朋友的友谊能维持多长时间？

A)很短 B)很长 C)不确定

4. Reasons for the differences

American culture is unique because it is nurtured, formed and developed under certain conditions, which are characteristically American. The major factors contributing to the making of this new nation and the forming of a new culture are the hard environment, ethnic diversity and plural religion, which is quite different from other nations in the world. What is more, these elements are still influencing the American culture. 1. Rough Environment

The early immigrants who were English Puritans settled down in northeast part of American. The environment there was very rough but they believed the poor land could purify their mind so they chose the place along the coast. From 1607 to 1892, frontiers were pushed further west. The American frontier consisted of the relatively unsettled regions of the United States, usually found in the western part of the country. The frontiersmen looked for a land of rich resources and a land of promise, opportunity and freedom. Actually they looked for a better life. So individualism, self-reliance, and equality of opportunity have perhaps been the values most closely associated with the frontier heritage of American. 2. Ethnic Diversity

The population of the United States includes a large variety of ethnic groups coming from many races, nationalities, and religions.People refer to the United States as \"melting pot \"and the dominant people are British. American is made up of WASP+MM, that is, White, Anglo Saxon, Protestants plus Middle Class and Male. In history, people from different countries in the world rushed to American three times. They brought their own culture to American and later on different cultures were mixed together. Thus the unique American culture is formed, a common cultural life

with commonly shared values. 3. Plural religion

The fundamental American belief in individual freedom and the right of individuals to practice their own religion is at the center of religious experience in the United States. The great diversity of ethnic backgrounds has produced religious pluralism; almost all of the religions of the world are now practiced in the United States. Christianity is the dominant religion in American and Protestant is predominate.Any individuals are equal before God and they believe they can communicate directly to God so they can share the same idea. Under the protestant, many new ones are formed and different explanations produce different sect of religion. Churches are independent and American religion is no longer religion seculars. The institution permits the practice of religion and the political power is separate form religion. So there are more religions in American than in other countries. 4. Current influence:

Nowadays, we can see the continual influence of the three elements in the current American society. American family is typically parents and their unmarried children. Middle-aged and elderly people generally do not live with their married children. Many Americans live in mobile homes whose homes are built with wheels. They can be moved. The people in American have a very strong desire to start a new life in a new place. Quite a number of people change residences every year. The average American moves fourteen times in his lifetime. The courage to try something new has been an American characteristic. American democracy means majority rule, but it also means protection of minority rights. There are certain freedom which the United States promises to all its citizens and members of minority group cannot be denied these rights by a vote of the majority. Americans also like to be involved in many challenge activities and sports to show their adventurous spirits. All of these are affected by the heritage of the American history. 5.Conclusion

In a word,there are so many differences between Chinese and American that they reflect the different path of social development.Chinese culture was affected by the feudal society,and now Chinese culture attach great importance to class level and the collectivism that called socialist society.American culture was cultivated, formed and developed by the main three factors, rough environment, ethnic diversity and plural religion.We should respect cultural diversity and we should respect what cause the cultural diversity; at the same time, we need to protect our own culture and language because they are a vital part of a nation. 6.Works Cited

http://www.neworiental.org/publish/portal0/tab451/info64972.htm:Why American Culture is Unique.

http://apps.hi.baidu.com/share/detail/11738164:American Culture

建管学院

09房地产经营管理2班

孙豪 200908013