40 Comics That I Made To Show The Differences And Similarities Between Chinese And Western Cultures
My name is Siyu and Iâm the creator of Tiny Eyes Comics, a webcomic series that explores and shares Chinese culture through the details of everyday life.Â
A year ago, I published a collection of my comics on the differences between Chinese and Western culture (check it out). During the past year, besides cultural differences, I also realized the cultural connections and universal values we all share as people across cultures.Â
For this post, I put together a selection of my latest comics I thought you might enjoy. You can find more content on my social media pages listed below.
I went to a nice restaurant with my parents in Lyon. They were really curious to try something local but they didnât understand a thing on the menu. âWhy donât they have pictures?â They asked. In China, lots of menus have photos that illustrate the dishes, so even if you donât understand Chinese, you can still order by pointing at the picture that makes you hungry.
What are you talking about when you say something is big or small? âA big houseâ in the U.K.may not mean the same thing as in the U.S.; âNot many peopleâ in China may not mean the same thing as in Norway; âToo coldâ in France may not mean the same thing as in Russia. Itâs the reference point you are talking about.
I recently realized that I tend to change the portion size of different meals as I travel from one country to another. This is all personal habits, and I still donât know which way is the best for my health. In France, breakfast is usually small and sweet. A croissant with a coffee will do. I know many people who skip breakfast. For lunch, grab a sandwich or a salad,âŚ
I recently realized that I tend to change the portion size of different meals as I travel from one country to another. This is all personal habits, and I still donât know which way is the best for my health. In France, breakfast is usually small and sweet. A croissant with a coffee will do. I know many people who skip breakfast. For lunch, grab a sandwich or a salad, itâs richer but still quite light. I eat the most at dinner because dinner time is late in France and I often feel that I havenât had enough from the previous meals. In China, thereâs a belief that one should âeat well for breakfast, eat plenty for lunch, and eat light for dinner.â (ćŠĺ弽ďźĺĺ鼹ďźćĺĺ°ďźThereâs a lot of choices for breakfast and itâs believed to be the most important meal of the day. Lunch is the time when I can eat as much as I wish, and my family like to have a light dinner, which is supposed to be good for digestion. In the U.S, when I cook for myself, I can still follow my normal routines as in China, but if I go out to eat or order stuff, I end up eating too much for every meal. I guess itâs mainly to do with the huge serving size, and I donât like wasting food.
Eating Chinese noodles while watching Netflix after work has become one of my routines in Paris. I feel lucky that Iâm living in this world where cultures are no longer restrained to their physical land. If you are living in a big city, chances are that you can also choose live pieces of different cultures: eating sushi, watching a French movie, listening to an African band, using a product madeâŚ
Eating Chinese noodles while watching Netflix after work has become one of my routines in Paris. I feel lucky that Iâm living in this world where cultures are no longer restrained to their physical land. If you are living in a big city, chances are that you can also choose live pieces of different cultures: eating sushi, watching a French movie, listening to an African band, using a product made in Germany, or hang out with someone from the opposite side of the world. More and more of us no longer live a singular culture, instead, our lives begin to weave into each other, creating a richer texture.
When I studied in the US, I discovered the notion of âconstructive criticism â, which means staying positive by saying what you like about something first, and then how itâs possible to be improved. In this way everyoneâs happy and things can be changed. French generally have a more direct and âharsherâ approach. They are comfortable with confrontation, and debate is expected. I often heard people (between friends, family, colleaguesâŚ
When I studied in the US, I discovered the notion of âconstructive criticism â, which means staying positive by saying what you like about something first, and then how itâs possible to be improved. In this way everyoneâs happy and things can be changed. French generally have a more direct and âharsherâ approach. They are comfortable with confrontation, and debate is expected. I often heard people (between friends, family, colleagues etc.) disagree loudly with each other. Unlike the Americanâs âYes, andâŚâ, French tend to say âNo, becauseâŚâ. It can be scary in the beginning for someone whoâs not from the culture, but once you understand itâs based on trust and respect youâll be comfortable to participate. Chinese usually avoid confrontation, because relationships (guanxi) is so important that we are afraid that disagreement will make the other person unhappy and harm the relationship. Instead, we use silence or doubt to show disagreement. Sometimes, even people say that they agree, they donât necessarily mean it. It could just be a way to keep harmony.
Grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimerâs disease. She is gradually losing her memory, submerging herself in her own world. Yesterday I went to see her. She didnât recognize me, so I said my name repeatedly in desperation. Then suddenly, she understood something. âI like you,â she said. She has never said anything like that to me before. Grandma has always been very reserved with expressing her emotions even though she lovesâŚ
Grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimerâs disease. She is gradually losing her memory, submerging herself in her own world. Yesterday I went to see her. She didnât recognize me, so I said my name repeatedly in desperation. Then suddenly, she understood something. âI like you,â she said. She has never said anything like that to me before. Grandma has always been very reserved with expressing her emotions even though she loves deeply all her children and grandchildren. The disease has changed her personality. It was as if she could finally express herself freely like a child. Maybe she didnât actually recognize me, but at least she likes me, and thatâs enough. Iâd love to be her friend, and I hope our friendship lasts forever.
âStill or sparkling water?â In a French restaurant, the waiter/waitress always asks this question before the meal. In the US, the default is usually still water with ice. I always wondered how people could survive with ice water in winter since itâs already so cold outside. In China, people drink hot water a lot, which is strange for lots of non-Chinese. For one thing, tap water is undrinkable, for another,âŚ
âStill or sparkling water?â In a French restaurant, the waiter/waitress always asks this question before the meal. In the US, the default is usually still water with ice. I always wondered how people could survive with ice water in winter since itâs already so cold outside. In China, people drink hot water a lot, which is strange for lots of non-Chinese. For one thing, tap water is undrinkable, for another, people have the habit of drinking hot water and believe that itâs good for health. (I was told that drinking ice water will cause stomachache problems.)
If you have ever learned a foreign language, youâd have experienced the stage of not being able to fully understand others or express yourself, like a 3 years old child in frustration. I notice that when people switch between their native language and a foreign language they donât master, it seems that their personalities change as well. When you are not fluent in the language, you appear to be lessâŚ
If you have ever learned a foreign language, youâd have experienced the stage of not being able to fully understand others or express yourself, like a 3 years old child in frustration. I notice that when people switch between their native language and a foreign language they donât master, it seems that their personalities change as well. When you are not fluent in the language, you appear to be less competent, and when you spake your native language, confidence shows through. People tend to associate your personality and with the way you speak. I sound quite âbluntâ when I speak French because I donât know all the nuances and connotation of the words. As a result, I canât choose the right word in the right context. For immigrants, language is a very important part of integration in terms of access to information, communication, and self-expression. In a way, language is social power.
Disclaimer: What you see here is fictional and it only exists in my head. Please refer to real maps for travel purposes. Growing up in Beijing, Iâm used to streets that lay out as an orthogonal grid in line with the four directions. Actually, lots of Beijingers use North, South, East and West to describe directions. In Paris, streets are not paralleled and it feels more like a radial webâŚ
Disclaimer: What you see here is fictional and it only exists in my head. Please refer to real maps for travel purposes. Growing up in Beijing, Iâm used to streets that lay out as an orthogonal grid in line with the four directions. Actually, lots of Beijingers use North, South, East and West to describe directions. In Paris, streets are not paralleled and it feels more like a radial web of triangles. I get lost from time to time, but thereâs some general reference from here and there. Last time I when to Venice, I wouldnât be able to get anywhere without my google map (even Google map was confused in some areas). It was like tangled threads without a clue. What is your city like?
Mom likes eating fish tails, sheâs a bit weird. It took me years to realize my momâs trick to make me eat the best part of the fish. I wish I could be less innocent and understood her earlier, then I could play tricks to take care of her too. If we make a list of things that are universal across cultures, a motherâs love is definitely on top ofâŚ
Mom likes eating fish tails, sheâs a bit weird. It took me years to realize my momâs trick to make me eat the best part of the fish. I wish I could be less innocent and understood her earlier, then I could play tricks to take care of her too. If we make a list of things that are universal across cultures, a motherâs love is definitely on top of that list.
If you ask a food critic to rate my momâs cooking, sheâs probably not going to get many stars. Actually, her cooking is probably too simple and her menu hasnât changed over the years. Nonetheless, if you ask me, Iâm going to give her all the stars that I have. Itâs totally subjective. Her cooking is the taste of my childhood, warm and familiar. Itâs something that stays the sameâŚ
If you ask a food critic to rate my momâs cooking, sheâs probably not going to get many stars. Actually, her cooking is probably too simple and her menu hasnât changed over the years. Nonetheless, if you ask me, Iâm going to give her all the stars that I have. Itâs totally subjective. Her cooking is the taste of my childhood, warm and familiar. Itâs something that stays the same against the change of time, a strong connection that I have with my past while exploring and absorbing other cultures into my identity, and a solid rock that I can always grab and rest upon in the flowing river of life.
The English word âouchâ is commonly used as an expression of oneâs physical pain, (refer to the episode for usage) although, in China, I would normally say âĺĺâďźai-yoh) instead. In France, the equivalent is âAĂŻeâ. This got me curious, and while searching for other expressions, I bumped into an article from The Guardian ââIs ouch used worldwide?â. Well, the answer is no, and people being interviewed in the article haveâŚ
The English word âouchâ is commonly used as an expression of oneâs physical pain, (refer to the episode for usage) although, in China, I would normally say âĺĺâďźai-yoh) instead. In France, the equivalent is âAĂŻeâ. This got me curious, and while searching for other expressions, I bumped into an article from The Guardian ââIs ouch used worldwide?â. Well, the answer is no, and people being interviewed in the article have shared some amusing examples from their cultures, illustrated here. Even though the expressions vary from one another, one thing in common is that they all begin with a vowel, and are quite short to pronounce. I guess we all go back to our primal instinct when getting hurt.
We refer to the same thing with different words. We describe the same event with different words. We use words to explore the world that is at the same time limited by those exact words. That limitation is also called âperspectiveâ?
My friend once told me that Chinese sounds like a melody to her because it has many tones. There are also sounds that donât exist in other languages, which makes it more difficult to pronounce. Take myself as an example, lot of English speaking people pronounce my name âSiyuâ as âsee youâ, and the common joke would be like âSeeyou, see you!â
I met a girl the other day whose father is an ambassador. She has never stopped traveling since she was born and speaks several languages. She said every time people ask where sheâs from she has to tell a story because she canât summarize it with one word. Iâve also met people who have multiple lineages having similar situations. The encounter of cultures has created plural identities that are largerâŚ
I met a girl the other day whose father is an ambassador. She has never stopped traveling since she was born and speaks several languages. She said every time people ask where sheâs from she has to tell a story because she canât summarize it with one word. Iâve also met people who have multiple lineages having similar situations. The encounter of cultures has created plural identities that are larger than the definition of one nation or one race, yet the questions we ask stay singular. Maybe one day we could just ask âWho are you?â instead of âWhere are you from?â
Iâve met lots of second-generation Chinese immigrants who cannot speak Chinese or who can only speak but cannot read or write Chinese. Some of them choose to do so because they identify more with their current country, while others regret not learning enough when they were little. To them, the loss of language is also the loss of part of their identity and culture. On the other hand, for Chinese,âŚ
Iâve met lots of second-generation Chinese immigrants who cannot speak Chinese or who can only speak but cannot read or write Chinese. Some of them choose to do so because they identify more with their current country, while others regret not learning enough when they were little. To them, the loss of language is also the loss of part of their identity and culture. On the other hand, for Chinese, English is important in the process of modernization: Understanding English allows you to get more information, to understand the global picture, to be able to have your voice heard internationally. Itâs usually seen as a âuseful toolâ. Iâm curious to know that, in a country like Singapore where there are four official languages, how these different languages coexist and how people feel about using them in a different context.
A demand thatâs so simple requires a process thatâs so complicated. My Chinese passport doesnât leave me much flexibility with travel, and every time, applying for a visa brings out all my negative energies. The letter of intent, the proof of my identity, the proof of financial and marital status, the proof of returning in time. Everything needs to be provedâthereâs no trust. Itâs a process that reinforces separation thanâŚ
A demand thatâs so simple requires a process thatâs so complicated. My Chinese passport doesnât leave me much flexibility with travel, and every time, applying for a visa brings out all my negative energies. The letter of intent, the proof of my identity, the proof of financial and marital status, the proof of returning in time. Everything needs to be provedâthereâs no trust. Itâs a process that reinforces separation than connection. The officers are cold and indifferent, but I know itâs just their job, and itâs the system that put us in these situations. In the age of globalization, have we become the âcitizens of the worldâ or have we set up even more barriers?
My grandma met my grandpa on the day of their marriage, which is impossible for my generation to imagine because we are so used to the idea of romantic love. She spent the whole life with my grandpa until the end when he was really sick and need to be taken care of constantly. She knew all the details of his habits, likes, and flaws. Of course, there are allâŚ
My grandma met my grandpa on the day of their marriage, which is impossible for my generation to imagine because we are so used to the idea of romantic love. She spent the whole life with my grandpa until the end when he was really sick and need to be taken care of constantly. She knew all the details of his habits, likes, and flaws. Of course, there are all sorts of problems you could point out in this type of blind marriage, yet the strength and courage to accept and get to know another person, and to embrace all the changes with time are admirable. Nowadays we are lucky to have all the freedom to choose. Many people are eager to look for âthe personâ that will understand their souls from the beginning till the end without having to âwork on itâ. Thereâs less tolerance about flaws and problems that might evolve with time, and less patience to deal with it â you can always just find another person.
A special episode for those of you who celebrate Christmas.
Style is personal, of course, but itâs funny to see how certain fashion trends change with time. Beijing is usually much colder in winter compared to Paris. Down coats started gaining popularity in the 80s, and people usually wear a layer of long johns inside their trousers to protect them from the cold. Nowadays many young Chinese women perceive down coats as âold fashionedâ, and prefer instead of dressing inâŚ
Style is personal, of course, but itâs funny to see how certain fashion trends change with time. Beijing is usually much colder in winter compared to Paris. Down coats started gaining popularity in the 80s, and people usually wear a layer of long johns inside their trousers to protect them from the cold. Nowadays many young Chinese women perceive down coats as âold fashionedâ, and prefer instead of dressing in âEuropean styleâ. Yet here in Paris I started to see more people wearing down coats in winter, câest la mode.
If century eggs and chicken feet are the nightmares for lots of westerners, then for me, raw stuff is the absolute horror. In my personal dictionary of cuisine, the word ârawâ is associated with bacteria, bad digestion, and barbarians (human invented fire to cook great food right?). I still remember the horror I had the first time eating a steak in the U.S. My American friend had to convince meâŚ
If century eggs and chicken feet are the nightmares for lots of westerners, then for me, raw stuff is the absolute horror. In my personal dictionary of cuisine, the word ârawâ is associated with bacteria, bad digestion, and barbarians (human invented fire to cook great food right?). I still remember the horror I had the first time eating a steak in the U.S. My American friend had to convince me that itâs both safe and delicious to eat not fully cooked beef. With globalization, steak and sushi restaurants are no longer exotic in China. Yet traditionally, apart from a few marinated specialties, Chinese dishes are usually well cooked, whether itâs red meat, fish or vegetables. The word âsaladâ ć˛ć in Chinese is a direct translation of the so
Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific
40 Comics That I Made To Show The Differences And Similarities Between Chinese And Western Cultures was originally posted by Monthly Mashed 1
