文化冲击 Culture Shock

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Different countries have different cultures. Different cultures will bring people of different feelings. Therefore, culture shock can be seen everywhere. I think culture shock is a psychological disorientation that most people experience when living in a culture markedly different from one’s own.

As is known to all, culture is everything that human beings created, so culture differences between east and west can be found in many ways. For your better understanding, I will set examples of China and western countries.

Firstly, in the way of expressin g one’s opinion, westerners prefer to be more straightforward and explicit, and on the contrary, Chinese would like to be more euphemistic and implicit. Such as, writing. Many students like to write very complicated composition statements, to join many complex words. Because, they thought it can achieve high grades. But it's not, westerners like to put the problem is simplified. They don't like to spend a lot of time in one thing. So, Chinese and westerners ideas have a big significant difference.

Secondly, we can also find many differences in table manners. Westerners adopt individual serving and use forks and knives even at homes. However, Chinese like enjoy sitting around a table and food are served in one bowl or plate. This different result is based on different food they like. Westerners choose to eat beefsteak, bread, and salad, while Chinese choose noodles, pancakes and rice. What is more, the custom of drinking tea in China and drinking coffee in westerners are standing out particularly. However, there is a trend that the food in both countries has been mixture. For example, the coffee and bread have introduced to China. The famous KFC is very popular at children. I think this is a significant difference in the diet.

The gap of teaching system between China and westerners is big. Chinese students always complain about their homework. Too much homework has limited the time to exercise and relax. They have to recite many things as to get a high mark.

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On the other, westerners are more independent than Chinese. They enjoy doing things alone and living in their personal space.

In my opinion, the cultural conflict is not necessarily a bad thing. We must try to get to know the people of the host country and their language or lifestyle; find out what they do, how they do it, and what their interests are and so forth. And maybe you will develop a hobby in this process. And, be aware that such a thing as culture shock exists, that it will probably affect you one way or another, but that it doesn’t last forever. When you have completely adjusted to a new culture, you can more fully enjoy it.

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