The Cultural Differences between the East and West

[DigDug]

I'm from the East. Here are things I feel that I've never felt in common with many of my Caucasian friends:

1. I can live at home till I'm 60. My parents would NEVER kick me out.
2. The thought of my parents charging me rent is UNFATHOMABLE.
3. I was raised to value education so very much. My parents are both extremely educated.
5. I can eat almost any kind of food. Or at least try it, since I realize that someone's culture eats it.
6. I have much less difficulty relating to other cultures, no matter where they are from.

and the most important difference, and one that sems to seperate me from my friends more and more as recent politics unfold...

7. am able to empathize, or at leas understand better, the sentiments of other countries around the world with respect to the US, because I have been exposed to many other cultures, and recognize the viability of difference, or at least non-American lifestyles. This goes ESPECIALLY for those of my friends who've never left the US. I can't even begin to understand their world view, or rather, they can't even begin to understand mine.

 

[Amorphus]

Amen. I notice this with natural-born seldom-traveled/exposed people in general, though.

On another note, I have been spotting for artillery in DC for the last twenty minutes, and I just tried to zoom out of the thread...

 

[HappyPuppy]

Have you always been this full of yourself? Do you really think you are so "special"? Sorry, kiddo, but you aren't.

I'll give you a cookie for your effort, though.

 

[StageLeft]

1. I can live at home till I'm 60. My parents would NEVER kick me out.
2. The thought of my parents charging me rent is UNFATHOMABLE.

To some degree that's because if you're in a poor economy you CAN'T move out of your parents' house until you're 60

A guy from work who's from India (been in the US for several years) still has no problem sharing his small apartment with his wife, child, and tons of family. They live like sardines when his family visits. Of course, at the age of 30, I doubt he'd have his own place if he lived in India right now anyway, so it's simply part of the culture. Not necessarily better. And, I know that if I had to - most people can say this - they could live with their parents for quite a while and never get kicked out.

3) a lot of people from the west value education.
4) where is it!
5) Burgers make people fatter faster, so are better Honestly though I've eaten many different foods and when it really comes down to it I like Western food the most. Hook me up with a buger and fries or something like that any day.
6) Yep, some think that if it's not american it's crap.
7) true for you perhaps but most people, regardless of culture, tend towards their own and think it's often the best.

 

[TheBDB]

thanks for sharing :roll:

 

[Amorphus]

#7 is less because you are Asian, and more because you're a minority (immigrant?). Of course you can emphathize with minorities, you are one

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Is there a point to this thread?

 

[AmbitV]

but East has smaller bewbies...due to cultural difference of not drinking as much milk

 

[ed21x]

as we all know, the East, outside of Cambridge and florida, is MUCH more conservative than the west coast, which is basically defined by California.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: DigDug
I'm from the East. Here are things I feel that I've never felt in common with many of my Caucasian friends:

1. I can live at home till I'm 60. My parents would NEVER kick me out.
2. The thought of my parents charging me rent is UNFATHOMABLE.
3. I was raised to value education so very much. My parents are both extremely educated.
5. I can eat almost any kind of food. Or at least try it, since I realize that someone's culture eats it.
6. I have much less difficulty relating to other cultures, no matter where they are from.

and the most important difference, and one that sems to seperate me from my friends more and more as recent politics unfold...

7. am able to empathize, or at leas understand better, the sentiments of other countries around the world with respect to the US, because I have been exposed to many other cultures, and recognize the viability of difference, or at least non-American lifestyles. This goes ESPECIALLY for those of my friends who've never left the US. I can't even begin to understand their world view, or rather, they can't even begin to understand mine.

I see you've gotten a less than enthusiastic response. What did you expect?

The entitled youth that populate this board have far more disposable income, unfounded self esteem, and specialized expertise in narrowly focused fields than they do wisdom, perspective or life experience.

You have stated you are different from the American norm. Duuuuuuude. Don't you know "different" is suspect, subversive and inherently inferior? Why, it goes without saying. Or thinking.

 

[PlatinumGold]

i'm from asia myself, but the difference is not so much east vs west but agrarian vs post agrarian societies. in a few generations there will be a lot fewer differences between east and west.

 

[TheBDB]

The response is less than enthusiastic because the generalizations are ridiculous.

 

[Ornery]

...am able to empathize, or at leas understand better, the sentiments of other countries around the world with respect to the US...

I know, I know, we brought it on ourselves. It's becoming clear thanks to you helping me understand. :roll:

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: Ornery
...am able to empathize, or at leas understand better, the sentiments of other countries around the world with respect to the US...

I know, I know, we brought it on ourselves. It's becoming clear thanks to you helping me understand. :roll:

not really. This goes for anyone who hasn't traveled much.

You talk to Indians who have only lived in India, never been out of their country..and they will think the way they do things is well..the right way. The same way Americans think about their ways of life.

But to those who have travelled around and lived in odd and sometimes obscure places when they were young, they don't get a sense of superiority. They learnt to accept different kinds of ways of life (atleast I feel that way).

One thing I've noticed with Western world is that they take everything for granted, from water to electricity to people. Maybe it's cause I lived in places where water would only come from 6AM to 10AM and 5PM to 11PM or electricity would sporiadically (sp?) go away for hours at times.

And the other big thing: teachers & elders. Kids in school over here talk sh!t to their teachers and treat them like crap. They even yell at adults (could be strangers too!). There's no respect at all. I think thats wrong. The young have gotta have respect for their elders.

Apart from that we are the same.

EDIT: just clicked on that link Ornery. You can't possibly generalize the entire non-US world as people who want to blow up buildings!!! :|

 

[deejayshakur]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
To some degree that's because if you're in a poor economy you CAN'T move out of your parents' house until you're 60

actually it's because eastern cultures are much more closely knit and value community over individualism. in ancient china, families with 5 generations or more under 1 roof were rewarded by the emperor because it was considered a honorable feat. the united states was built on 'rugged individualism'--americans value their independence. an exception is the hispanic cultures, which are known to be much more tightly knit than most western cultures and tend to consist of extended families.

i agree with amorphus.

but East has smaller bewbies...due to cultural difference of not drinking as much milk

this is because asians are genetically more likely to be lactose intolerant than non-asian--more genetic than cultural. just like how asians have a higher likelihood of getting red in the face after a few drinks--it's not cause we can't hang; we're more likely to lack alcohol dehydrogenase to break down ethanol.

 

[DigDug]

To some degree that's because if you're in a poor economy you CAN'T move out of your parents' house until you're 60

I'm making $140k Starting in september. My parents make twice that. What were you saying?

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: DigDug

To some degree that's because if you're in a poor economy you CAN'T move out of your parents' house until you're 60

I'm making $140k Starting in september. My parents make twice that. What were you saying?

like anyone cares what you or your parents make.

he was referring to the culture you came from, not how much you make now. :roll:

 

[DigDug]

I know, I know, we brought it on ourselves. It's becoming clear thanks to you helping me understand.

That's surprising. The 5th grade patriots like you, I would think, would have shut their non-passport-having mouths a while ago after our 2-bit military embarrased itself in front of the world. Shut the fvck up before you shine more light on our sheer ignorance. Let me guess - you've never stepped outside the US, and another $5 says you've never left your own state.

like anyone cares what you or your parents make.

Perhaps you are correct, and that is indeed part of the problem. The average American's fat stomach is full enough that there is no desire to question governmental action, the news, or anything else. America, and as much as you want to convince otherwise, is taught about the WHOLE GODDAMNED WORLD in a 20 minute segment on the O'Reilly factor. THAT'S the reality of this place.

 

[Schadenfroh]

screw the communist east

CAPITALISM/SOCIALISM for LIFE

:beer:

 

[Rio Rebel]

To some degree that's because if you're in a poor economy you CAN'T move out of your parents' house until you're 60

Boys and Girls, welcome to "how to prove your opponent's point 101"

I can't decide whether that statement is more asinine, or more arrogant.

 

[deejayshakur]

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel

To some degree that's because if you're in a poor economy you CAN'T move out of your parents' house until you're 60

Boys and Girls, welcome to "how to prove your opponent's point 101"

I can't decide whether that statement is more asinine, or more arrogant.

it's irrelevant; i already debunked it.

 

[nageov3t]

it's not an East v West thing, it's a family v family thing.

I'm American (well, my dad is French, but my mom was born here). My parents raised me with the exact same beliefs and values. I have friends who grew up a few blocks away who are completely different in terms of their priorities and values (eg: my parents raised me to believe that money isn't that important, and, 5 miles away, my best friend's goal in life is to be making 6 figures before the age of 30).

It's just about the type of family you come from.

 

[cerebusPu]

Originally posted by: DigDug

To some degree that's because if you're in a poor economy you CAN'T move out of your parents' house until you're 60

I'm making $140k Starting in september. My parents make twice that. What were you saying?

you need to tone it down a little digdug.

Im asian. I grew up in the states but Im 100% bilingual. I make enough money and I dont live with my parents. Yet Im not even half as arrogant as you.

If i knew you in person, I wouldnt be your friend.
if you keep this up, you wont have any friends on ATOT.
In fact, if you act like this in real life, I doubt you have many friends.

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

Are you talking about Bad Boy and Death Row?

If not, then STFU because no one cares about your arrogant attitude.

 

[MacBaine]

So for what reason did you create this thread, other than the draw attention to yourself, which we've already established?