Culture Shock: Top Five For Those who Learn Chinese in China
Article by Maureen Hayes
If you have spoken to anyone who has moved to a country that is quite different from their own, you might have heard the phrase 'culture shock' before. This shock is to do with the differences in culture and environment you might experience, and the initial difficulties of adjusting to these differences. China can be a prime destination for culture shock when you first arrive, particularly if you don't know what to expect. To lessen these problems by preparing you beforehand, here are our top five cultural issues that might lead to culture shock. It is important to remember as you learn Chinese in China that a culture shock is apart of the fun!
1.Spitting. Whilst many major cities in China have banned public spitting, it is still common, and when you study in China expect to see it particularly in northern cities such as Beijing. Rather than using a tissue, many people clear their throat by spitting onto the ground. It is an unhygienic practice, and it is worth watching where you step sometimes. However, after a while you probably won't even notice.
2.Staring. There are still a small amount of foreigners in China, and if you are outside of a big city you can find yourself the centre of attention. Most people are not trying to be rude at all - they are just curious. If you decide to learn Chinese in China within one of the smaller cities, this will something you will simply have to get used to. Try not to let it get to you, and if you live in an area for a while people will certainly get used to you. Of course, such staring is rare in the big cities such as Beijing and Shanghai where people are used to seeing non-Chinese people.
3.Squat toilets. Your comfortable accommodation and most large shopping malls or restaurants will have toilets that you recognise as typically western. However, many public toilets and Chinese restaurants have squat toilets. These are flat to the ground, and you need to squat to use them - hence the name. If you have leg problems they can be difficult to ! use, but most people can use them after the initial difficulties. However, if you live in a big city and don't want to use these toilets, a western toilet should not be too far away. As a study in China student, squat toilets will become something you get used to very quickly.
4.Food. Some elements of Chinese food will be very familiar, but as a developing nation there are still many dishes that reflect the idea of eating from necessity, as well as a variety of foods and attitudes to food that many westerners are not familiar with. Expect many meat dishes to include bones, and some menus to include dishes using offal, amphibians, reptiles or even insects. As you proceed to learn Chinese in China, eventually you will communicate exactly you want. Supermarkets often have live fish, crabs and turtles to buy for food. Whilst these might be shocking, it is a normal practice here and ensures freshness. Whilst you will not get used to everything, if you give different foods a try and learn, you can discover great new dishes. For the picky eater, there are plenty of simple dishes and even recognisable fast food brands in many cities.
5.Medicine. Most Chinese pharmacies stock western medicine, but the first thing you will be offered is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). You are welcome to give this a try and for basic problems it can potentially help. However, if you want to play it safe then ask for western Medicine - it will often work out to be cheaper for basic things like painkillers or cold medicine, and you know exactly what you are taking.
The culture can be shocking, but it is difference that makes life exciting. Global Language will be there for you to help you understand cultural differences, and to help you adapt quickly once you are in China. Coming to learn Chinese in China, will be one of the best experiences of you life.
Beautiful Chinese Music【20】Traditional
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Yixing Pottery: The World of Chinese Tea Culture (Arts of China)
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The Flower Phoenix is an ancient handscroll which has been created through generations of women artists. The original page of the handscroll was created by China's Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. The Tang Dynasty is considered by many to be the height of Chinese artistic culture, and Li Bai is China's most renowned ancient poet. Li Bai was inspired by the beauty of Yang Mei. Yang Mei inspires the master painter Wu Daozi. Wu Daozi creates the second page of the Flower Phoenix handscroll. Legends say that Wu Daozi was a mystical painter, who at the end of his life painted a doorway in the side of a mountain, opened the door and disappeared forever.
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Hand scroll paintings were rolled from one side to the other and as each painted section was revealed, the story of the imagery was viewed and discussed. The book unfolds over many generations and the lives of the long line of women artists who created the Flower Phoenix are brought to life by the telling.The Flower Phoenix is an ancient handscroll which has been created through generations of women artists. The original page of the handscroll was created by China's Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. The Tang Dynasty is considered by many to be the height of Chinese artistic culture, and Li Bai is China's most renowned ancient poet. Li Bai was inspired by the beauty of Yang Mei. Yang Mei inspires the master painter Wu Daozi. Wu Daozi creates the second page of the Flower Phoenix handscroll. Legends say that Wu Daozi was a mystical painter, who at the end of his life painted a doorway in the side of a mountain, opened the door and disappe! ared for ever.
Each generation creates panels in the book. By telling the story, the storyteller creates a portal into the Realm of the Flower Phoenix. The "storybearer" reads the story and summons the power of the energy of all the generations.
The story opens with Mable "Peach Blossom" Yang's one hundredth birthday celebration. She is going to pass the book on to the next generation. Mable is the most potent storybearer in the family line.
Hand scroll paintings were rolled from one side to the other and as each painted section was revealed, the story of the imagery was viewed and discussed. The book unfolds over many generations and the lives of the long line of women artists who created the Flower Phoenix are brought to life by the telling.List Price: $ 0.99 Price: $ 0.99BK0271Y-Chinese Painted Fancy Basket , Vintage, China, Wood (Mu), Antique Asian Decor: Chinese Paint
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In the Realm of the Flower Phoenix
The Flower Phoenix is an ancient handscroll which has been created through generations of women artists. The original page of the handscroll was created by China's Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. The Tang Dynasty is considered by many to be the height of Chinese artistic culture, and Li Bai is China's most renowned ancient poet. Li Bai was inspired by the beauty of Yang Mei. Yang Mei inspires the master painter Wu Daozi. Wu Daozi creates the second page of the Flower Phoenix handscroll. Legends say that Wu Daozi was a mystical painter, who at the end of his life painted a doorway in the side of a mountain, opened the door and disappeared forever.Each generation creates panels in the book. By telling the story, the storyteller creates a portal into the Realm of the Flower Phoenix. The "storybearer" reads the story and summons the power of the energy of all the generations.
The story opens with Mable "Peach Blossom" Yang's one hundredth birthday celebration. She is going to pass the book on to the next generation. Mable is the most potent storybearer in the family line.
Hand scroll paintings were rolled from one side to the other and as each painted section was revealed, the story of the imagery was viewed and discussed. The book unfolds over many generations and the lives of the long line of women artists who created the Flower Phoenix are brought to life by the telling.The Flower Phoenix is an ancient handscroll which has been created through generations of women artists. The original page of the handscroll was created by China's Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. The Tang Dynasty is considered by many to be the height of Chinese artistic culture, and Li Bai is China's most renowned ancient poet. Li Bai was inspired by the beauty of Yang Mei. Yang Mei inspires the master painter Wu Daozi. Wu Daozi creates the second page of the Flower Phoenix handscroll. Legends say that Wu Daozi was a mystical painter, who at the end of his life painted a doorway in the side of a mountain, opened the door and disappe! ared for ever.
Each generation creates panels in the book. By telling the story, the storyteller creates a portal into the Realm of the Flower Phoenix. The "storybearer" reads the story and summons the power of the energy of all the generations.
The story opens with Mable "Peach Blossom" Yang's one hundredth birthday celebration. She is going to pass the book on to the next generation. Mable is the most potent storybearer in the family line.
Hand scroll paintings were rolled from one side to the other and as each painted section was revealed, the story of the imagery was viewed and discussed. The book unfolds over many generations and the lives of the long line of women artists who created the Flower Phoenix are brought to life by the telling.
BK0271Y-Chinese Painted Fancy Basket , Vintage, China, Wood (Mu), Antique Asian Decor: Chinese Paint
- Vintage
- China
- Red / Gold
- 13" wide x 13" deep x 16.5" high
Chinese calligraphy writing and brush painting / sumi set
- Great starter set
- 5 brushes, ink well / stone, ink stick, signing ink, stone chop, brush rest, & water well
- Nicely presented in chinese brocade gift box
- Size: 8.5" x 6"
- Made in China
Treasury of Chinese Folk Tales: Beloved Myths and Legends from the Middle Kingdom (No Series)
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