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hammerforlife
Fire-eater
Joined: May 24, 2004
Posts: 2701
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 Posted:
Jan 14, 2005 - 01:18 PM |
 
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Good discussion! I think people, not difficult to guess which ones... may be a little harsh on Carrol as sha has some arguements. However I also agree that when you see a sentence starting with"the Chinese are" then is is usually wrong. The Chinese culture and people covers all spectrums and I wish for example that old people in my country were treated with a similar respect that older people here still get (although sadly that is also changing here).
I know some stunningly kind and empathetic people here, but I also know some real pigs. Just the story of life wherever you are.... |
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carrol
PopStar
Joined: Oct 11, 2004
Posts: 1122
Location: East of Eden
Status: Offline
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Jan 14, 2005 - 01:36 PM |
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However, hammer .. this thread (sentence) did not start with the words .. 'the Chinese are ...' did it? |
_________________
Carrol |
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hammerforlife
Fire-eater
Joined: May 24, 2004
Posts: 2701
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Jan 14, 2005 - 02:04 PM |
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No but it did contain "Chinese people seem". Putting 1.4 billion people in the same category. |
Last edited by hammerforlife on Jan 14, 2005 - 02:18 PM; edited 2 times in total |
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hammerforlife
Fire-eater
Joined: May 24, 2004
Posts: 2701
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Jan 14, 2005 - 02:06 PM |
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You should note that I was not quoting you personally, just referring to a general theme that runs through a lot of postings on this site. I also think some of your points are valid, based on cultural perceptions, although the reality is not always the same. A good topic for discussion if people can avoid the rabid abuse that similar topics provoke on these pages. |
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Paulo
Rocker
Joined: June 10, 2004
Posts: 615
Status: Offline
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Jan 29, 2005 - 10:26 PM |
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Have you thought Carrol that maybe it is a reaction to you? |
_________________
Dave Hedgehog, Richie Rich, Eddie Hitler, Spudgun |
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okido
Rocker
Joined: Sep 14, 2003
Posts: 667
Location: A planet called Earth
Status: Offline
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Jan 30, 2005 - 03:53 AM |
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Carrol -
It's not easy to shake off bad habbits. The process of changing will be even slower if the public is not paying attenting to it and making an effort to change and encourage changing.
I think many bad habbits, such as cutting in the queues, blocking subway doors, fighting to get on and off buses, not giving seats to the elderly, etc. are rooted from lacking and insecurity.
If you understand China has been very poor and behind in development for many, many years - Food, cooking oil, sugar and many common consumer goods were rationed until 1993, the current undesirable behaviors would be easily comprehensible. After having to fight for surviving for generations, it takes time to put in the notions of "abundant" and "sharing" into people's mind.
Perhaps you would say but Shanghai is a modern cities with all the convenience and most people are at least with some education? Please understand this is the most developed part of China. There are lots and lots of people living in the inland provinces are still struggling with poor infrastructure. Imagine if you have to stand 3 days in the train to get home, would you fight a little to get a seat? If the next bus is tomorrow, would you push hard to get one the bus today? And, many people you meet in Shanghai are from those less developed area of the country.
People don't talk about it publicly. But I think those ups and downs during cutural revolution have change people's sense of value a lot.
I am sure people here have the ability to sympathize and empathize. Maybe not so openly and maybe not at things that you deem appropriate. Sometimes, it requires a little push or pull to let it show.
One example - when I was renting this apartment, there was a competitor. My landlord decided to rent it to me although the competitor offered to pay more. Her reason was she was a family of three women (grandmother, a daughter and herself) and I was a single woman. She said it would be safe for me to live at this apartment since she knew all the neighbors for many years and knew they were all decent people. Since we were all women, she'd like me to stay where she believed to be a safe environment. She'd rather sacrifice a little on the rent for the sake of my well-being and her conscience. I think that's an example of empathy, isn't it? Her "sacrifice" as actually as high as 20%! |
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carrol
PopStar
Joined: Oct 11, 2004
Posts: 1122
Location: East of Eden
Status: Offline
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Feb 01, 2005 - 05:11 PM |
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Thank you, Okido, for a very nice explanation. I appreciate what you have said, and now have a better understanding. |
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Carrol |
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peining
Reacher
Joined: July 24, 2004
Posts: 223
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Feb 01, 2005 - 05:55 PM |
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i spent three months backpacking all over China, and i have to say that the Chinese are some of the most generous people i've ever met.
i suppose they must have took pity on me, traveling as a lone woman who spoke limited chinese. during those three months, i rarely had to pay for a meal, and people pretty much took me under their wing, allowing me to tag along on their tours, and inviting me for lunch and dinner in their homes... absolutely not letting me pay a dime. it was an unbelievable experience, and one of the reasons i wanted to settle down in china.
shanghai, on the other hand, is another cup of tea.
though you'd never believe in shanghai... a few months back, i was exploring the hu'tongs in jinansi, and noticed an older woman next to a street stand. i went to buy something from her, and it took a while before i noticed that she was completely blind and had no idea what i was purchasing much less the price. i bought some small items from her that day. being concerned about her welfare. i went back the next week with some food, which she was too proud to take. this woman is living in shanghai solely on the honesty and compassion of others!
i'm not saying that shanghai doesn't get to me, in fact i really disklike it here... but try living like this woman in new york city. |
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