The first difference i noticed was that in the United States,when you sneeze, you need to say "excuse me", then people around you will say "bless you", and of course it will be impolite if you didn't thank them. In my country, usually people have no reaction to someone's sneeze.
The other difference i've experienced was that when i visited my friend's house, she asked, "do you want something to drink?" I was expecting her to treat me with some drinks even though i told her i was not thirsty, but she didn't. In China, usually we don't ask; we just put the drinks (mostly tea) in front of the guest. Even if the guests say they don't want any drink, we still going to bring out the drinks because we think that means you respect and care about your friends.
Oh, there is a remind for you in case you are visiting a Chinese family or eating in a Chinese restaurant. Do not ever stick your chopsticks in the rice because Chinese people only do that in funerals. It reprents an offering for the dead ancestors.
The other difference i've experienced was that when i visited my friend's house, she asked, "do you want something to drink?" I was expecting her to treat me with some drinks even though i told her i was not thirsty, but she didn't. In China, usually we don't ask; we just put the drinks (mostly tea) in front of the guest. Even if the guests say they don't want any drink, we still going to bring out the drinks because we think that means you respect and care about your friends.
Oh, there is a remind for you in case you are visiting a Chinese family or eating in a Chinese restaurant. Do not ever stick your chopsticks in the rice because Chinese people only do that in funerals. It reprents an offering for the dead ancestors.
Hi Cui Ting,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. Being brought up with Chinese traditions things are definitely different. I was born and raised in America and even though I should know how/what the American traditions are, I've adapted to the Chinese traditions too well and sometimes I get them mixed up. For example, you mentioned that when you get offered something at a friend's home and you turn it down, you still expect to get something, I've adapted to that as well and I forget sometimes that if I decline I really won't get anything. It's a good and bad thing, sometimes I really don't want something to drink and sometimes I just want to be polite.
I had same experience like yours. Afterward, I figured out the difference between American culture and Chinese culture. That is, Chinese people are implicit. In China, people know the reaon of why you deny gifts or something because of manner issue. But, in Aerican culture, people are explicit. They read your respond rather than your mind.
ReplyDeleteIn Korea, it is same way as China
ReplyDeleteHi...
ReplyDeleteIt's almost same in Korea. If we visit friend's home, we get offered something and we turn it down even though we expect to get something because we think this is etiquette to people who invite us. People who invite guest usually serve some drink even though guest turn it down.
I find that very interesting about the offering of drinks. Im guessing alot of tea gets wasted/cold in China.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Thanks for the chopsticks advice.