Cultural
comparisons tend to put one in hot water because they often incur accusations
of overgeneralizing and stereotyping. Nevertheless,
patterns and differences in culture and people DO EXIST and are demonstratable. So in the name of truth, I do not fear
offending others and will merely call it as I see it.
Differences
- Taiwanese are more group and family oriented
(collectivist), while
- The Taiwanese are more subtle and indirect in their
communication. They prefer dropping hints and cues rather than being upfront.
On the other hand, Western communication is more assertive, articulate and
direct.
- On the exterior, Taiwanese people are more reserved
and cold toward strangers. They are less apt to smile or make eye contact. But
once you get to know them, they become more hospitable and generous. Americans
smile and chat politely with strangers easily, but do not invite you into their
homes or personal lives easily.
- Taiwanese are taught to be modest, humble and obedient,
rather than outspoken, aggressive or assertive. American culture teaches the
opposite, that assertiveness is a valuable communication skill in one’s
personal and professional life. Being quiet, submissive and obedient is seen in
the
- Confidence is not taught as a good attribute in
- Lighter skin is seen as more attractive in
- Girls in
Similarities
- American and Taiwanese cultures are VERY workaholic.
They share an inherent belief that humans were created to work. Thus they “live
to work” and feel empty and purposeless without it. Most Taiwanese work 6 or 7
days a week. Having too much free time or vacation time is seen as
dysfunctional, unstable and deviant in the eyes of the corporate mentality.
Being a slave to your job is seen as a good thing. Most have little or no
interests outside of their work. People are conditioned this way to serve the
economic interests of their corporatocracy.
- Both cultures are very materialistic in their
values, and teach that wealth and acquisition of assets are the keys to
happiness and success. They program you to work and consume in order to fill
your emptiness. Rather than cultivate inner assets (spirituality, holistic qualities,
intellectual life) they focus solely on outer assets. Thus there is a lot of
misery and depression in both countries. Suicide rates are high in both
cultures as well.
- In general, people don’t talk to strangers in both
countries unless it’s business related. Most people
make friends through school, work, or other friends. And they date within those
limited circles too. The internet is a new way of meeting people nowadays, but
the general attitude is still the same. There is a paranoia
toward strangers, which is unjustified since both countries are relatively safe
and violence is rare.
- People in both countries are not generally educated
or informed about the rest of the world. Instead, they harbor stereotypes about
other countries that aren’t true, largely due to
- Citizens of both cultures do not tend to be good at
critical thinking. Instead, they blindly believe whatever they are told by
their government and media like zombies. They forget the fact that their governments
have lied many times in the past, sacrificed innocent lives for diabolical
purposes, and started wars based on false pretenses. Instead, they live
passively and assume that authority = truth, and do not seek alternative views
and explanations.
- Their education system is rigged so that if you
conform, you become a robot (rewarded with pay), but if you don’t you become a
bum. Thus defying the system brings suffering and makes it difficult to live a
good life. Essentially, they want you to be smart enough to perform in a job,
but not to think too critically, deeply or “out of the box”.