They were created by "Yang Liu", who was born in China and educated in Germany. If you're interested in learning more, please visit the author's webpage.
BLUE —— Westerner
RED —— Easterner
Opinion
ANGER
When Westerners are unhappy, our emotions can be easily perceived through body language, facial expression and tone.
In Asia, it's a little more difficult to tell how someone is feeling. Think about how often you hear what you think are two people arguing when in reality, they are just chatting loudly. In Western societies, we equate loud voices with anger and confrontation.
I'm sure many of us can relate to being angry at a given situation and having a Chinese boss smile and smile and smile as you rage on like a lunatic. The benefit of dealing with situations like these is learning how to react to stressful situations with less of an emotional outburst.
MAKING CONTACTS
Westerners tend to have very linear relationships, whereas Asians tend to have more circular relationships.
ELDERLY IN DAY-TO-DAY LIFE
The first thing that struck me as different when I moved to China were the number of seniors I'd see on the streets with young children. I thought it was really special to see Grandma and Grandpa out with the young 'uns for the day. I still think it's terrific.
Seniors in Eastern societies remain an integral part of the family. While sons and daughters are off making a living, Grandma and Grandpa stay at home to raise the grandchildren.
The role of a grandparent in North America is just as important, but an emphasis on independence also plays a major part in how seniors live their lives. The majority of seniors in Western societies are often on their own by their own choice. It's uncommon to hear of parents living with their children.
IN THE RESTAURANT
Anyone who has ever been in a restaurant in Asia will surely chuckle at this one.
ME
Westerners think in terms of me, me, and me. Most Asians think of themselves as part of a larger sum.
HANDLING OF PROBLEMS
No doubt this one frustrates all Westerners living in Asia. I'm sure we frustrate Asians to no end with our own problem solving techniques.
Westerners tend to take the most direct approach to problem solving. Problem solving in Asia is a bit more complex. Often the most direct approach is ignored. Sometimes the problem is never dealt with.
Most foreigners are a bit overwhelmed by the pushing and shoving that occurs in Chinese banks, train stations, bus stops, elevators and pretty much everywhere else you can think of. Last February, Beijing decided to clean up their act and announced a National Queue-Up Day once a month in an effort to get people to be more 'well-mannered' for the Beijing Olympics.
Shower Timing
Take a look at The Filthy Foreigner Flaw over at Sinosplice for a beautiful explanation of this one.
Sundays on the Read
I didn't realize how quiet Sundays are in Canada until I found myself downtown in the Byward Market on a Sunday afternoon. I was home for the first time in over a year and I remember being really freaked out. No cars. No pedestrians. It was quiet and tranquil. Then I thought of a typical Sunday afternoon in China and marveled at the differences. Very rarely did I ever find a place for myself on the weekend in China. If it was privacy I was looking for, I stayed within my own four walls.
The Child
Family relationships in the East and West are very different. In the West, children are raised primarily by the parents, with grandparents playing less of a role in day-to-day life. In the East, both parents and grandparents are actively involved in raising children.
Party
Transportation
Loads of people back home are going green and finding alternate routes to work that involve less harm for the environment, when the weather permits that is. Over in Asia, people have used bicycles as a primary means of transportation for ages and are quickly making the switch to motor vehicles.
The Boss
The boss is God in Asia.
Traveling
Way Of Life
Westerners assert a lot more independence than Easterners. I think sometimes this point is best reflected while traveling. Westerners will travel solo or in small groups. Most Asians travel in large groups.
DEFINITION OF BEAUTY
In China and Taiwan, the whiter your skin, the more beautiful you are. In North America, the darker your skin, the more beautiful you are.
Case in point.
In Asia, most beauty products contain some sort of whitening agent for the skin. Women are obsessed with covering up. They wear hats, carry umbrellas on hot days and wear long sleeves to the beach. Most of my Chinese girlfriends wouldn't be caught dead in the blistering hot sun at the beach.
In North America, many skin products are designed to produce a beautiful, golden tan. Think self-tanning lotions, bronzers and tinted moisturizers or hours and hours of sunbathing.
What's Trendy
North America loves Asia and Asia loves North America when it comes to food and home decor.
Moods & Weather
Three Meals a Day
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