Running Head:EXPLORING CHINESE CULTURE AND STEREOTYPES

Exploring Chinese Culture And Stereotypes

Connor G. Roberts
University Of Kentucky

Abstract

Running Head:EXPLORING CHINESE CULTURE AND STEREOTYPES

This paper explores many different things about the chinese culture. Some of these things are
stereotypes, gender roles, religion, holidays, communication, food, and societal differences from
what we know in the U.S. The purpose of this paper is to better inform you on many of these
subject areas because many Americans and people throughout the world have their own ideas of
what they might think the Chinese Culture is like and after this reading it will probably change
your perspective in some manner. The information that is used was compiled from interviews
with 2 students of the Chinese culture along with scholarly articles and reliable internet research.
The two things that are hit strongly and focused on the most is stereotypes and societal
differences because that is what effects the reader the most. This is because all of us hold
stereotypes in some way and we all know that our culture is much different than that of the
Chinese, but what we dont know which is where we develop most of our stereotypes.
Keywords: Stereotypes, Gender roles, Cultural norms.

Running Head:EXPLORING CHINESE CULTURE AND STEREOTYPES

The concepts, culture, ideas, and communication norms of China is very broad and
different from what we know as Americans. In America, we see and probably know Chinese
immigrants. We stereotype these people because many of us have never really took the time to
figure out their culture and who they are and what theyre about. The only way to truly
understand a different culture is to take the time to research and learn about another culture and
not follow the stereotypical assumptions that many Americans have. I conducted interviews with
two chinese students by the names of Jacob and Zach who Ill refer to in this paper along with
multiple internet research sources. These next paragraphs will give you a lot of basic information
about the Chinese culture so you can better understand it.
As Americans almost all of us have stereotyped Asian or Chinese people. I can say that
Im guilty of this as well. Growing up as a student at my high school, I always viewed Chinese
or Asian students as being smarter or well-gifted. They tended to be very driven in their work
and got good grades, so a stereotype that I began to live with is that all Chinese students were
very intelligent. In athletics at my high school, the Asian students tended to specialize in one
sport and were driven to be the best they could at it. The leading scorer on my basketball team
my senior year was half Chinese so when Id see Asians compete in athletics, I always thought
they must be really good and dedicated or else they wouldnt be playing. In my interviews, I
began to hear some different feedback from Chinese American students whove been stereotyped
by the same stereotypes that I had on Chinese American students. In my first interview I had
with Jacob, a Chinese American student who moved to the U.S. 6 years ago, he talked about how
Asian students are viewed in the school systems academically. He quickly discussed that in his
school many teachers would always compliment him and the other Asian students on their work
,but that their work was not much different than the other students who werent Asian and that it

Running Head:EXPLORING CHINESE CULTURE AND STEREOTYPES

was more just something in their mind making them think that theyre actually doing so great in
the classroom(J. Huang, Personal Communication, September 17, 2014). In my second interview
with Zach, a student who has a Chinese grandfather and although was born in the U.S, still
carries his Chinese heritage with him, he talked about being stereotyped athletically. He was a
kicker for his high schools football team and said people always perceived his ability as
something he just had as being Asian. He talked about how it was more the fact that he just
worked very hard at it and was dedicated to it that he had the ability to be a good kicker( Z.
Durham, Personal Communication,September 24, 2014) .
As Americans, we tend to get these stereotypes at a very early age. We develop these
perceptions from TV and social media, Knowing an Asian student that does falls into some of
these categories, Along with word of mouth and just being where youre from and who first told
you what to think about another culture. Television is something that Is largely contributing to
stereotypes we have on the Chinese. South Park, a show that prides themselves on making fun of
everyone, has stereotyped the Chinese a lot. The Chinese people in the show barely have any bit
of their eyeball showing as the show makes the statement that all Asians have squinty eyes and
the Asian people in the show can not say city instead they say shity. Asian American college
students are more likely to seek medical leave, more likely to go on academic probation, and are
less likely to graduate in 4 years. Also, 33% of Asian American students drop out of high school
or dont graduate on time(UT, & Lee, S.J 1996) .
Chinese cultural communications and interactions have changed quite greatly over the
years and is very diverse and different from where it once was. In my interviews I got some
interesting information. From Jacob, he said greetings have changed but right now its very

Running Head:EXPLORING CHINESE CULTURE AND STEREOTYPES

normal to just shake hands but you never see people hug or show physical affection( J. Huang,
Personal Communication,
September 17, 2014). Zach mentioned in his interview that in more formal settings people are
likely to bow but in common settings that shaking hands is more common and greetings have
become more like the U.S. In the past it was much more common to nod and to show
acknowledgement(Z. Durham, Personal Communication, September 24, 2014). The business
world in China has very specific rules and norms that must be followed such as: not using hand
movements, avoiding physical contact, avoid anything with your mouth be it odd movements or
touching it, and avoid pointing at anything and instead use open palms if you must show
something(UT Dallas MBA Graduates 2012).
Gender roles are something that have a long history in China and have changed quite a bit
over the years. In imperial China, women were viewed as a subordinate to men and only
controlled power in things like the family and home (OSullivan 2012). Chinas traditional role
of Confucianism is something that plays a part in gender roles because it berates women who are
strong and vocal (OSullivan 2012). China becoming a communist country contributed to gender
equality making gender roles not as far apart as they used to be. Masculinity in China isnt
exactly defined as being manly its defined more as having power(Furuoka, & Nikitina, 2013) .
Many women in China today are becoming more and more strong and Independent. Icons like Li
Yuchun, a women on a popular tv show, who is a tall, tomboyish character with a low voice and
very strong and self-independent has helped pave the way for women to step up in society and
demand equal power( Wen 2013). Women in China are more likely to marry for money than for
compatibility though, which gives a bit of perspective in the Chinese Culture (OSullivan 2012).
In my interview with Jacob, he talked about how China has changed now in that men arent shy

Running Head:EXPLORING CHINESE CULTURE AND STEREOTYPES

to meet women any more and theyre able to go out and interact with each other. They used to
just sit around and wait when it came to marriage and things(J. Huang, Personal Communication,
September 17, 2014). As far as employment goes Men are considered to be more likely
candidates for work positions than women because women are considered child
bearers(OSullivan 2012). Comparing China to the U.S when it comes to gender equality they
are almost exactly the same. In the United Nations Development Programs Human
Development report the U.S scored a 37 and China 38 out of 100(OSullivan 2012).
Holidays and food are something that define culture and Chinas are quite interesting. In
my interview with Jacob, he said China has multiple holidays.. The Palm Spring Festival is the
biggest and the Moon festival is another. Palm Spring Festival lasts a week and its very
comparable to what we have as New Years just that it lasts a whole week. The Moon Festival is a
holiday where everyone eats mooncakes and is a lot like our version of Thanksgiving(J. Huang,
Personal Communication, September 17, 2014). In my interview with Zach, he mentioned that
people in China often eat with chopsticks but in my interview with Jacob, he said some people
are starting to use spoons and forks which is considered being a sign of high class(Z. Durham,
Personal Communication, September 24, 2014). Jacob also talked to me about the differences
between eating in China vs. the U.S. In the U.S, we eat all types of foods, be it hot or cold. He
said in China that they only eat hot food. He also discussed the difference about how in the U.S,
we have breakfast foods and dinner foods. In China they eat the same type of stuff be it breakfast
or dinner. Food in the U.S is much more diverse than what they have in China, as well being we
have all different types of foods from all different types of countries and backgrounds while in
China they only have a few options(J. Huang, Personal Communication, September 17, 2014).

Running Head:EXPLORING CHINESE CULTURE AND STEREOTYPES

Religion is something that defines many countries but China is one where its a bit
different. China does have freedom of religion but it is strongly regulated in the practices of
them(UT Dallas MBA Graduates 2012). ( The number one religion in China is that their isnt
one because the majority of Chinese by a massive margin are atheists.) The two religions that are
represented though and are commonly practiced is Christianity and Islam( UT Dallas MBA
Graduates 2012). Confucianism is
something though that in a way takes place of religion. Its is considered an ethical and social
philosophical practice rather than religion. Although religion isnt a large part of the Chinese
culture, people still do have strong moral values and follow things like Confucianism. In my
interview with Jacob, he talked about how China is a very family oriented culture and that it
matters very much. He mentioned how parents will go out of their way to offer better
opportunities for their child and that also parents arent the sole ones to raise you. Grandparents
often assist because when parents are at work the grandchildren often watch the child and
grandparents like having grandchildren with them to keep them company(J. Huang, Personal
Communication, September 17, 2014).
Putting it into perspective though what are the differences in the Chinese culture vs. the
U.S culture? Jacob showed me in our interview an awesome website that showed side by side
comparisons of real example differences between the U.S. culture, and the the Chinese culture.
There were 24 different examples and Im going to explain them all. Some of these were briefly
covered in the earlier paragraphs. In U.S. culture, we tend to be straight and to the point when
discussing a subject. In the Chinese culture, they work their ways in and out around things
confusing you and then maybe youll understand their point at the end. In the U.S. were an
individualistic society, while in China they are a collectivist and tend to all be the same. In U.S.

Running Head:EXPLORING CHINESE CULTURE AND STEREOTYPES

culture you are supposed to be on time, while in China that time might vary from a little bit early
to 15 or 20 minutes late. U.S. social connections tend to be broken up into you know these type
of people who you know that they know, while in China somehow everybody seems to know
somebody who knows everybody. In the U.S. we tend to display our emotions almost all the time
no matter how were feeling while in China they always tend to put on a smile no matter how
they feel. When waiting in line in the U.S., we tend to be orderly in a single order while in China
its a cluster and bulge to get as close as they can to the front.In the U.S., we tend to be the most
important part of our lives and look as ourselves as being a big deal, while in China
they view themselves as a small person and just a part of something bigger. In streetlife the U.S.
tends to be pretty spaced out and it isnt too very crowded while in China streets are packed with
people.At parties or dining in the U.S., we tend to breakout into our own little smaller sections,
while in China they have one big circle of people.At dining the noise in the U.S is fairly quiet or
moderate while in China the place is very loud and noisy. In the U.S the preferred drink would
be considered either a cola or a beer, while in China, people prefer a hot pot of tea. In the U.S,
we tend to go and travel and see things for ourselves, while in China, they prefer to look at
pictures and when they do travel they always bring a camera. Beauty in the U.S is normally
described as being tan with a darker complexion as we see many people who attend tanning
beds, while in China, fair skin is considered to be the sign of beauty and women will even use
umbrellas when the sun is out to keep it from tanning their skin.When problems arise in the U.S,
we tend to find a way to fix the problem and work our way through, but in the Chinese culture
they, tend to avoid problems and find ways around them.In the U.S, we tend to eat 3 meals a day
that all are somewhat different. We may eat food hot, cold, or just like the way youd eat a piece
of bread. In China, meals are almost always hot and they eat the same types of food for breakfast

Running Head:EXPLORING CHINESE CULTURE AND STEREOTYPES

as dinner because they dont eat certain foods at only certain times of the day. In the U.S, weve
always drove cars but some people are trying to become more eco friendly and are choosing to
ride bikes instead now, but China has actually had the opposite because they used to always
travel by bike but now cars and such are becoming a much more popular thing when it comes to
transportation. Elderly in the U.S like to have pets to keep them company, while in China they,
like to have a grandchild with them. In the U.S, its common for us to shower in the morning
before we go out for our day, but in the Chinese culture, they prefer to shower at the end of the
day. In the U.S, we like good weather so when its sunny or not raining, while in China, they
tend to like all the weather be it a storm or a sunny day.In U.S working environments, our bosses
usually are only a little bit stronger
than us and dont have crazy power over us, while in China bosses tend to have all the power and
their workers fall far below them. Trends in the U.S when it comes to dining are becoming more
different because were tending to experiment with different kinds of food, while in China they
are doing the same thing as they are beginning to eat foods that require a knife and fork. Were
both actually doing the same thing in this area just going after the other guys stuff. In the U.S, a
child is raised by its parents and grandparents help just a little while in China, a child is raised
just as much by its parents as its grandparents the child is shared by everyone in the family. In
the U.S many people avoid things that are uncertain or new to them while in China, they tend to
gravitate directly towards it. As Americans, we view the chinese as being people who have
goatees and are very old looking souls that eat with chopsticks while they view us as being
partiers who eat a lot of fattening foods and drink beer(J. Huang, Personal Communication,
September 17, 2014)(Izismile, East vs. West, Cultural Differences 2013).

Running Head:EXPLORING CHINESE CULTURE AND STEREOTYPES

10

The Chinese culture is very different from what we know as being Americans. Their
differences make their country no better or worse than what we have though. Many of these
concepts and ideas should give you a better idea of what the Chinese culture is about and
hopefully change your mind on some of the stereotypes we have today on the Chinese culture.
References
OSullivan, K. (2012). The Role of Women in China. Fair Observer Retrieved From
,www.FairObserver.com/Region/centralsouthasia/rolewomenchina.com
University of Texas (2012). Model Minority Stereotype for Asian Americans. Retrieved
From www.cmhc.utexas.edu/modelminority.com
UT Dallas Global MBA Graduates (2012). China Business Etiquette, Culture, and
Manners. Retrieved From www.cyborlink.com/ Besite/China.com
Izismile (2013). Differences of Eastern vs. Western Cultures. Retrieved from
www.Izismile.com/funcreativeillustrations/highlightthedifferencesofeastern24pics.com
Huike, W.(2013). Diversifyingmasculinity=supergirls,happy boys, cross-dressers, and
real men on Chinese media. Asiannetwork exchange, 21(1),1-11.
Nikitina,L. , & Furuoka, F. (2013). DRAGON, KUNG FU AND JACKIE
CHAN. STEREOTYPES ABOUT CHINA HELD BY MALAYSIAN STUDENTS.
TRAMES: A Journal of the Humanities & Social Sciences, 17(2), 175-195.

Running Head:EXPLORING CHINESE CULTURE AND STEREOTYPES

11

Desired Skin Tones

www.izismile.com/funcreativeillusrations/highlightthedifferencesof 24pics.com Retrieved on
October 16 2014.

Solving Problems
www.izismile.com/funcreativeillustrations/highlightthedifferencesof24pics.com Retrieved on
October 16 2014