What is the most shocking thing you have ever seen in China?
- Source: Global Times
- [22:55 February 08 2010]
- Comments
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Illustration: Liu Rui
Nicole Nieraad-Schalke, a Nanjing-based German cultural scientist
My own stereotypes
I could write about the countless car accidents every day, the never-ending smog, the pig transports on the highway (especially for me as a vegetarian) or the extreme gap between the rich and the poor as the shocking things I saw in China.
However, my most shocking situation was actually the moment I realized that I could find an exception for every cliché about China at a glance.
The interest of the West in China continues to grow, caused by increasing cooperation in economy, science and culture.
But nonetheless, China is still far away from Europe and the US not only geographically but also culturally.
Before coming to the People's Republic, many people asked me in a low voice: "Why China? Are you really sure? You will not understand Chinese people and they will not understand you."
Clichés of China exist in everybody's mind. Examples are the stereotype of a mass of identical workers, the indirect way of communication, pollution, riots, and strange food like spiders, dogs and scorpions.
Nonetheless clichés can sometimes be useful: They make life easier for us in new countries by reducing the complex social environment into categories.
However, it is only an illusion – stereotypes do not reflect full reality.
These images are influenced by our Western cultural background, the media and the historical relation between China and the Western world. Our self-conception plays an important role when it is used to underline characteristics of China.
In Nanjing, I have met many hard-working and lazy people. Some were extraordinary friendly, but others again were very rude.
Furthermore, I met the most straightforward person, telling me that I was a little chubby. I have seen demonstrations and the most excessive capitalism.
With frank locals we discussed "no-gos" like the Tibet policy, corruption and the disadvantages of economic growth.
Thus my most amazing eye-opener was the moment I realized how diverse and inconsistent China is – and how relieving it feels to set myself free from the Eurocentric prejudice.
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