The
perceptions of self in Chinese and Western culture are different in many ways.
Chinese perception pays much attention on Confucian ideology while Western
perception focuses on liberty, equality and fraternity. They do have dissimilar
impacts on people.
As a
Chinese, I am influenced by Chinese perception of self a lot. Since I was
young, I have been taught that the standard of a gentleman is to be benevolent,
just, polite, wise and honest, which is adopted from Confucianism. As a result,
I tried my best to behave like this in order to get praise from teachers and
parents. There is an award at the end of each semester for students who score
high in all subjects including PE and have good behavior. It is widely acknowledged
as a mark of excellent students. For another example, in class, especially
before the exams, the teachers are often performing a monologue. Students just
listen and take notes all the time but few of them dare to question the
teachers in class unless teachers ask ‘Any questions so far?’ The answer is
usually silence as well. If we really have questions, we are used to go to the
teachers’ offices and ask them individually to show respect. Many passages in
Chinese textbooks advocate the values consciously or unconsciously, such as excerpt of Analects about study. I can
say that, until now, I still behave according to the habits.
However,
American ideology also affects our ways of doing things from time to time. The
idea of equality and democracy came into China after the 1911 Revolution and
was used to found the Republic of China. Although PRC took place of it, we can still
sense the concept in daily life. At school, we build our class committee by democratic
election. The final decision is modified a little by the form teacher at most
of the times, but every student has the same right to participate, discuss and vote.
Sometimes, the candidates give speeches, which are very much like western style.
Of course, this practice in common all over the world and cannot be compared
with the presidential election in America, but it is a typical model of
democracy which is commonly admitted in China indeed.
When I first
arrived in Singapore, I felt uncomfortable for some of the habits here. For
example, there is no problem to walk with bare foot or sit down anywhere on the
floor. Due to an open and free environment here, they are commonly acceptable.
But in traditional Chinese values, the bahaviour is impolite and will make
others unpleased. I think it can be called a culture shock, or a perception
shock. To my surprise, this shock did not last long and now I no longer feel
troubled, but have been adapt to it. This can also explain the situation in
China. Reform and Opening-up enables American perception to come into China
further. At the same time, the traditional Chinese as well as the young Chinese
generation are absorbing it critically rather than deny it all. The reason why it
can only have a limited influence is that the perception of self is like a
person’s root. When you have grown up and had a full idea of what it is, you are
nearly impossible to change to another. You are used to think by the rules and
judge things by your belief.
My
opinion is that Chinese and American perceptions of self should complement each
other. Although many differences exist, they are not against each other. It is
only because they emphasis on different things. Confucianism encourages people
to obey the rules of manners, but his ideology also encourages people to pursue
freedom. He himself travelled between 7 countries and spread his doctrines
freely. Americans like liberty and equality, but if people are lack of honesty
and justice, a free and equal society cannot be achieved at all. As people
often say, rights and duties are consistent. You should fulfill obligations at
the same time when you enjoy your rights. Chinese perceptions of self is more
like what one ought to do and American’s is more like what one ought to seek
and have. The ideal world is free and equal with people who have the good
qualities. Thus, it can be fair, harmonious and happy.
(718 words)
