Culture Shock Between China And America

Keywords: culture shocks, culture differences, mis-understandings, observe and adapt

Abstract: Nowadays, there is a boom of globalization in the whole world. Television, the Internet and other modern technology provide us with the opportunity to connect to the rest of the world in anytime and at any place. China and the United States are leading global super powers, and yet they have very different cultural practices. Living and studying abroad was a personal experience of the author of the thesis and consequently a motive to write about the experienced culture shock between China and America. The purpose of the thesis is to describe the phenomenon of culture shock and to find the causes as well as how to cope with it.

¨I remember before I came to America, family members and friends all said that I wouldn't experience any culture shock, since I like KFC, McDonald's, Pizza, steak and salad already, and the fact that I speak fluent English is going to make my life in America a lot easier. All those things my family said to me were true, my capability to speak fluent English undoubtedly make communication with local people a piece of cake for me. But the food was not as easy as I thought. Besides culture shock doesn't limit to food and language, there are a lot of others things will be shocking to a foreigner.¨ A Chinese student wrote in his blog.

Annually thousands of Chinese students attend US colleges and universities which requires them to adjust to a new environment, often accompanied by a culture shock experience.

As we can see, culture is a term which has broad contents such as religion, foods, traditions and body language, face expressions. Language is a part of the culture. If you think you have a good command in speaking a foreign language like local people that leads you to master their culture, you're completely wrong.

China has a very formal and hierarchical social structure that extends to business, institutional and family life. For example, children are expected to respect their elders with the oldest family member commanding the greatest respect. In America, there is greater fluidity between groups with workers, managers, children and adults often making joint decisions and enjoying social occasions together.

To see these differences more clearly and more comprehensively, here I attached a form of a general comparison between these two cultures.

CHINESE AMERICANS

Conception Of the Self Collectivist: Higher value placed on group cooperation and individual modesty. Individualist: Higher value placed on self-reliance. Self-promotion is more accepted. High value placed on "freedom" from externally imposed constraints.

Social Relationships

Formal, hierarchical. People most comfortable in the presence of a hierarchy in which they know their position and the customs/rules for behavior in the situation. Informal, egalitarian. People most comfortable with their social equals; importance of social rankings minimized.

Friendship

Small number of close, lifelong friends who feel deeply obligated to give each other whatever help might seem required. Large collection of "friends" and acquaintances which changes over time and involves only limited mutual obligations.

Obligation Relationships with other people involve reciprocal obligations. People avoid interdependent relationships and situations that might entail long-term obligations.

Task vs. Relationship Orientation Relationship-oriented: Maintaining a harmonious relationship has priority over accomplishing tasks. Task-oriented. Relationships are less important than getting the work done.

Harmony vs.

"Truth" Avoid direct confrontation, open criticism, and controversial topics. Concern maintaining harmony and with "face."

Willing to confront directly, criticize, discuss controversial topics, press personal opinions about what they consider "the truth. Little concern with "face."

Role of laws, rules, and regulations More faith in personal relationships than in written rules and procedures for structuring interactions. Written rules presumably apply to everyone and are assumed to produce fair, reasonable procedures and decisions.

Time Consciousness Relatively more attention to the past and to the longer-term future. Less interested in

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