Differences Don’t Mean Better or Worse

【Abstract】Its true that there are incalculable differences between the east and the west. But differences do not mean better or worse. We should equalize all different cultures， regardless of nations and races and religions. However， the ethos of worshiping foreign things has been prevailing in the society. We can admit that they do own some good features that we have lost， but we mustnt accept all things without judgment.

【Key words】differences； east and west； culture

To compare with the culture of the east and west， further researches are needed to collect. After talking with American friends about their college life， two new differences are found. One is about universities. Foreign students said they have to pay for nearly all the expanse in university by themselves. So most of them will apply for loan， or make great efforts to gain scholarship. And in their spare time， they have part time jobs. One of American friends said he can earn $10.00-$15.00 per hour， while in China college students may only get 15-50 RMB per hour. This fact shows more sign of influence that huge population brings. Comparatively speaking， more than 90% Chinese students use their parents money to go to universities， and even after they graduate. They are so-called NEET group. Unfortunately， the number of this kind of group is annually increasing. Another is about changing majors. In America， they can change their majors as long as they want to， no restrictions， no other requirements. But Chinese students have only one chance to change their major and cannot regret any more. There are both advantages and disadvantages in both sides. No choice to another major means you have to focus on one and keep studying it. But if you do find yourself really inappropriate to this major， you can choose another one. All in all， interest is our best teacher.

But， there is a disagreement on their attitudes towards emotion， especially family relationships. One family can be separated economically， but not emotionally. It is obvious that the comfort or encouragement from your parents can be a big thrust in the road to success. The phenomenon that children play or live with their grandparents is really common in China， but not in America. Chinese old people always have precious experiences and lessons to share with the young. But in America， taking care of children means more responsibility for parents rather than affective meaning. Moreover， American people are friendly and willing to help their friends. But they will always keep distance with each other. That is to say， they pay more attention to privacy. When their friends are in trouble， they can give advice but they will never interfere your own thoughts and your decisions. When talking about lending money to friends， they said American people could possibly not do that. They may choose to recommend some websites or lending agencies.

Here is a famous story. An elderly American lady met an old Chinese lady in the heaven. The former one said， I lived in a big house by applying for loan. The latter one said， I have saved money for 30 years， and finally I can afford a house. This little story and American students getting loans to go to school and buy cars indicate different consumption views. And recently， I am wondering to take part in foreign summer camping. But the high expanse discourages me from doing it. So I want to find whether it is possible to apply for loan to pay for the fees. But I hesitate. In fact， Chinese people hardly do such kind of things， right？ Eventually， I let the precious opportunity go. It is true that Chinese people are more conservative， and maybe thats why we lose lots of chances.

Also， there are differences in food. KFCs and Mcdonalds are everywhere. Many foreigners said theyd like to open Chinese restaurants in their counries. Since Americans are so fond of Chinese food， and Chinese are so crazy about Western food， the result that only western restaurants are prosperous in China but the opposition not seems more ridiculous. If we Chinese dont pressure and develop our culture， and then， who will do it？

Different history and environment cause different cultures， and what we can do is to communicate more with each other and learn to appreciate what we have now. But we should always stick to the principle-we need to bring in； in the meantime， we need to go out.

References：

[1]Kirsten Schuder，How to Understand and Admire Cultural Differences，July 8，2016，.

[2]Adreep，東西方文化差異 Cultural Differences between the East and the West，2013-03-07，< http：//www.adreep.cn/dxyy/50672.html>.

作者簡介：王璇（1995.5-），女，漢族，河北石家莊人，本科在讀，現就讀于河北大學外國語學院，英語專業。