LettheSparkoftheCultureCollisionsShine

【Abstract】Introduction： Due to the differences between the backgrounds of Chinese and western cultures， there are many cultural differences. Under these cultural differences， the communication between Chinese and western cultures can produce frictions and even conflicts. If these differences are not treated correctly， then the closer the Chinese and western cultures are， the more serious their conflicts may be.

【Key words】Culture； Conflict； Collisions

【作者簡介】刘昱菲，天津一中滨海学校。

China has a long history of agricultural society. So the Chinese have a strong sense of national culture. The whole emotional environment is strong. Chinese people often deal with things in a emotional way. In order to protect good relationships， Chinese people will try not to offend people while doing things. Sometimes people even say fake things or dont act like what they really think. People are willing to protect their so-called “face”. China has a unique natural environment and social environment. As the oldest country in the world， Chinese people have gradually built their own unique cultural patterns in such an environment. Other countries or regions also have different cultural patterns because of their own unique natural environments and social environments. Different cultural patterns produce cultural differences.

Chinese people have a strong sense of community， and they pay great attention to unity. So， the Chinese are often willing to share their emotions， both. But it is different in western culture. People in the west value privacy very much. Personal space is important to them. They generally dont want to talk too much about themselves. They dont like letting others tell them how to deal with their own things or making decisions for them. Thus， it is often seen that westerners conflict over privacy issues.

Chinese often ask questions about age， occupation， income， when first met. In China， it is a kind of manner. People show their cares and enthusiasms by this way. But western people may found this kind of questions is putting their privacy in danger. It is not polite. Also， Chinese people have a strong sense of hometown. They often get excited when they meet a person comes from the same place as them. Chinese emotion seems to be more sensitive than that of the west， while western culture is more scientific and rational. This is because the west has a long industrial history. Industrial production requires being scientific and senses of fair competition. As the industrial revolution progressed， these ideas became more common.

Chinese keep a strong traditional ideal of classes. When leaders or elders come in， they usually stand up to show their respects. In the west， there is no such habit. Since ancient times， China has paid great attention to communities， they regard it as the center. People dont highlight individual strength， and believing that modesty is the best virtue. Therefore， Chinese generally like to follow the ancients. They are not good at doubting. They would like to consider everyones feelings. The westerners promotes “individualism” and to be innovative in all things. They highlight individual strength and equality of all people. Everyone is a member of the society no matter how old you are. So when it comes to talking about things， westerners tend to talk about their own ideas first， and then finally explain the background. When facing with the same compliment， westerners will response：“thank you”， and the Chinese will say：”not so well”. As you said such answer， foreigners will not be happy， he will feel you are questioning his ability of appreciation.

There are also many differences in daily communication.For examplr， Chinese greet by asking：Have you eaten？ People in western would think you want to treat them if you said that. In Britain， they usually greet people with weather， health， sports and hobbies.

There are surely a lots of differences between them. However， facing the differences between Chinese and western cultures， there is no need to be nervous. Instead， we should face it. Running away is not a wise solution. During the Qing dynasty， the government was afraid when facing the impact of western culture. They chose to escape， the government set China apart from the rest of the world. That action directly led to its own backwardness.

Facing cultural differences between Chinese and western culture does not mean changing any side of them. There are different colors in the world， but it is different colors make the world more colorful. People will never ask red to be blue. Cultural diversity is the result of cultural differences. Facing the impact of western culture， we should face it directly. Only in this way， Can Chinese and western culture realize their strengths and weaknesses in communication. They can learn from strengths of each other and avoid the same shortcomings. Then， they can make progress together.

Let Chinese and western culture collide with each other and create a more brilliant spark. let two cultures shine more.

Reference：

[1]Frederick L.Shiels，Ethnic Separatismand World Polities，Lanham， MD：University press of America，1984.