The University of Oklahoma
Mission:
Provide the best possible
educational experience
through excellence in
teaching, research, and
creative activity, and
service to state and
society.
Working together to
promote East Asia!
Culture
 Why Learn another
language and culture?
 Why learn about the
Chinese culture?
 The Chinese
 East and West
Explore!
To explore strange new
worlds…
…to seek out new
civlizations…
Something Different
City life
Trollies
Hong Kong
Bridge into the city
Hong Kong Airport
Yangtze River
Journey
3rd longest river
Understanding Cultural Diversity
1. Global Competence
Global citizenship and active
participation in the world
economy.
2. Competitive Edge
Experience with other cultures
should be a priority.
3. Personal Fulfillment
A tremendous source of pleasure
and fun!
Chinese, Japanese, or Korean?
Go talk to them Rex!
1.
Kungfu
2.
Taekwondo
3.
Karate
4.
Judo
5.
Sumo
6.
Sushi
7.
Bowing
8.
Quiet in public
Language
Chinese?
Do they feel the same?
Chinese, Japanese, Korean?
Even Google!!!
Chinese?
Chinese?
Who are the Chinese?
Activity
 Write down 5 words that
come to mind when you
think of the Chinese?
1.
2.
Stereotypes
 Has anyone here ever been
to the “Far East?”
 Where have you learned
about the Chinese and their
culture?
3.
4.
5.
 Why not Oriental?
How do the Chinese
perceive themselves?
What are the 4 Great Inventions?
The 4 Great Inventions
Gun powder
Compass
四大发明
Paper
Printing
Did you know?
 Toothbrush
 Toilet paper
 Fishing reels
 Wheelbarrows
 Ice cream
 Whiskey
 Poker
 Kite
Discover China
Quick Facts

Communist

Taoism, Buddhism, and
Confucianism

92% Han Chinese

56 ethnic minorities

100’s of dialects

Mandarin

3rd largest country
1 out of 5
1.357 billion population
316,000,000 Population
Important elements of the Chinese
Culture
Individual vs. Group
US. or China
China or the U.S.
The nail that sticks out gets
hammered down!
Lingdao－领导
U.S.

In Western countries, the terms
“leader” and “leadership” often
imply bettering oneself and
managing in a fair, just, and
responsible manner
China

In China, Lingdao has much
more to do with personal
power.

Status or honor

Soft hands-management style

Cannot lose face!
Face-mianzi 面子
What is “face?”

Reputation

Feelings of prestige

Individual view

The community view

Actions
Examples of Face.
Relationships-Guanxi-关系
“It’s not what you know,
but who you know。”


Relationships form the
foundations upon which
business and society are built
upon.
Protect their networks with a
level of devotion rarely seen in
Western countries.
Confucianism
The 5 Relationships

Ruler to Subject,

Father to Son,

Husband to Wife,

Elder Brother to Younger
Brother, and

Friend to Friend.
East meets West
East meets West
East meets West
East meets West
East meets West
East meets West
East meets West
East meets West
East meets West
East meets West
East meets West
East meets West
East meets West
Do’s

Remove your shoes

Greet the eldest person first




Palm down to wave someone
over.
Don’ts

Leave your chopsticks upright in
your bowl.

Point the bottom of your feet.

Say, “Boy that Mao killed a lot of
people.”

Show PDA

Give clock or books as gifts

Talk about the “3 T’s”
Use both hands
Open gifts later
Toast below other person’s glass.

Eat all of the rice in your bowl.

Slurp your food.
Never…..
 Accept a compliment. Be
humble. Parents never
compliment……
 Never let someone pay for
the bill without fighting for
it.
 Never make someone lose
face….Yelling, correcting
someone
 Never show up empty
handed.
 Never address people by
their first names(Last name
goes first).
 Never drink alcohol without
a toast.
Living together
References
Yang Liu: East Meets West
Sinolandquality.com
Edward Tylor: Primitive Culture
http://anthro.palomar.edu
Dennis O’Neil
Dr. Paul Bell: Dean Emeritus at the Univ. of Oklahoma
Q&A