Cultural Autobiography 1

CULTURAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY

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Executive Summary

Culture has been found to have a profound impact on a person’s personality including their

virtues and vices. A person is not fully defined until they include their culture. Chinese culture is

more into family that shapes a person’s life. In china, family is the basic unit whose innate

presence is felt and shapes one’s person completely (Tseng and Hsu 2011). Chinese culture is

expressed in the form of collectivism as opposed to the U.S culture which is more individualized

for personal gains. However, the U.S cultural values have been defined as wealth and prosperity,

education achievement, equity, humanitarian aid, and technology (Kempton et al. 1996). Chinese

people place a high value to family since it is seen as the source of care. Groups are preferred by

Chinese people since they believe they are source of security. On the other hand, most U.S

people do not like crowded places citing them as criminal harbors. The last part of this report

describes the eminent differences by comparing Chinese and American culture where eminent

differences are found in terms of collectivism and individualism cultures.

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Contents
Introduction ....................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Healing cold Flu in China vs. U.S Cultures .................................................................................... 5
Influence of Family Ties in a Person’s Life.................................................................................... 6
Family as a Source of Hope ........................................................................................................ 7
Benevolent Nature in Chinese Culture vs. U.S ............................................................................... 7
Crowded Vs. Lone Places in Chinese and U.S Cultures................................................................. 8
Food Culture ................................................................................................................................... 8
Cultural Similarities and differences, U.S vs. China ...................................................................... 9
Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 10
References ..................................................................................................................................... 11
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Introduction
Often people claim that it is not good to let anything define who we are. A basketball

player should not only be a player but also define clear roles as a sister, brother, daughter, son,

student and anything that gives their life a sense of meaning.

Consequently, a doctor should not only focus on the healthcare field but also focus on his

neighbours, social amenities such as school and church and of course, their family. In any case, if

one considers one thing in all their life, they may turn out to be addicted to that field and be

irrelevant in any other area in their life. The identity of a person is shaped by their culture and

roles they participate in life (Tseng and Hsu 2018). As the wise say “Those who forfeit their

cultures are slaves of different culture’s”. culture plays a critical role in shaping a person’s life.

This essay will give a reflection of how culture shaped my life and compare it with another

person’s culture. At the end the cultural similarities and differences as collected via interview

questionnaires shall be compiled for analysis.

Defining a person in only one way does not adequately address who they are since the

coverage of their culture is minimal. The thoughts we have on ourselves, such as if we are only

students without considering the role of our friends or how the family has shaped us is a shallow

way of thinking. Thinking of people in such a way could be detrimental since it may result in

discrimination and stereotyping against their religion colour. This can be detrimental towards

another person’s religious beliefs as well as spiritual beliefs.

However, not all aspects of our identities contribute equally to the whole. There are

specific elements in our backgrounds and environmental setting that help in building our

fundamental life. These elements form the base and foundation for everything that we aspire,

learn to do and become in life. In that case, everyone has a myriad of factors that nurture their
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life. One of the most defining parts of my life is the culture I hail from. I hail from mainland

Chinese. Although I keep an open mind to look at the world from a different perspective, my

upbringing beliefs dominate everything I do. If I were asked to describe my culture, I would

describe Chinese culture since I am Chinese. Culture, is taken from the environmental setting,

the people around us and from our families (Tseng and Hsu 2018). From my view, my family

has been the most influential including the extended family, have formed a community that has

aided shape my life towards the person I am today since culture is inherited and I got the learning

from them.

However, it might not be easy to understand our culture until we leave it. From Chris

Martin’s song, we miss home when we see the road, we realise the value of our cultures when we

leave them for adventure or study away from home. This became vivid to me when I first arrived

in America and taken by a host family. The family had a 10-year-old daughter who had a cold.

However, despite the condition, her mother prepared her a cold drink and asked her to drink.

This was completely different from my place back in China mainland where when a person feels

unwell, they can never be given cold drinks.

Healing cold Flu in China vs. U.S Cultures

In China, we believe that cold drinks are not suitable for their diet and can worsen their

situation. At that time, I could hear my fathers voice from afar scolding her for giving the sick

the cold drink. The young daughter who was sick and her elder sisters disapproved taking of hot

beverages. However, the reverse is true since in China, nobody can accept the taking of a cold

drink in such a situation. In response to this, I suggested to their mother that the sick should take

warm drink who jerked back that the sick ought to make orange juice among other fruit drinks

since it contains Vitamin C that helps in fighting back the disease. This seemed as one of the
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differences among the Chinese culture and the U.S culture in curing cold flue and fighting

diseases at large. However, since Chinese culture proofs active in my life, I still do not

acknowledge taking cold drinks when infected by Flu.

Influence of Family Ties in a Person’s Life

To explain the ultimate influence of my family, I would explain the Chinese culture.

Chinese culture foster collectivism as opposed to America culture of individualism (Tseng and

Hsu 2018). That way, Chinese culture view a group as solid ground as opposed to one person.

From the perspective of the western movies, all Chinese are stereotyped and act as a universal

and look alike, in that case, they are taken as a group. However, this is untrue, since Chinese

people think in partial, and are typical where in most cases they would look at the direct family

members who include the elderly and grandparents as the nuclear group.

Also, their old friends including co-workers would be considered as part of the group. In

Chinese culture, it is not all the time that a person would make many friends as adulthood. The

Chinese hence look at these small groups to be vital and they will not hesitate to return the small

favors they get from these groups either now or shortly. Informal groups are essential for

survival in PRC (Peoples Republic of China).

The Chinese culture value family piety more than any other cultural tenet. The culture

depicts that we are obligated to honors and respect family members from both the nuclear and

extended families (Tseng and Hsu 2018). For my case, caring for my parents, relatives and also

my siblings are my top priority. Family members act as one of the closest groups in china and

that is why I place fair value to them. From the English saying “Take a shirt and give the other”
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is evident in the Chinese culture when it comes to taking care of family. In other words, this is

Confucianism where family comes first.

In American Culture, the family is also essential and the basis of taking care form part of

the American culture. This is evident from a question posed on the first responsibilities if one

wins a lottery. It is in a class setting with international students (Kempton et al. 1996). A Chinese

boy replies that in the event he wins the lottery, he would marry and have a child. However, a

couple of America Students scolded the boy and suggested that they would not get married but

use the money for their fun. From the perspective of the Chinese boy, the family came first. On

the other hand, American culture is built on individualism other than family.

Family as a Source of Hope

The family in china seems like the source of emotional support. From the extended

family, I have many cousins and uncles who always ask me how life is on my side and give

suggestions (Tseng and Hsu 2018). In any case, they do not hesitate to criticize my health and

lifestyle if it’s on the verge end. This includes my eating habits and when I should stop or elevate

eating. However, Americans seem to mind their own family as opposed to taking suggestions

from friends or the extended family. American culture values the integration of nuclear family

setting as opposed to the larger family.

Benevolent Nature in Chinese Culture vs. U.S

In Chinese, we say family comes first before a person’s obligations. However, Chinese

people are not quick to help strangers or people without Chinese identity they would go to the

extent of taking advantage of such people (Yan 2011, PP. 36-77). On the other hand, Chinese

culture does not encourage charity groups or a public volunteer since many Chinese people feel

guilty when giving money to people who do not belong to them.

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As opposed to Chinese stingy, American people are good at giving and enjoy being

involved in humanitarian acts. The US.AID is eminent in many countries under economic

turmoil, political instability and other forms of public injustices. This is eminent by the large U.S

army that has bases globally as a way of fighting terror groups (Gutierrez 2011, P.1009). In

addition, private firms in the U.S such as Walmart have formed community initiatives that aid in

school sponsorship programs and saving lives. The caring act of America is also eminent by

several medical programs and hospitals located globally.

Crowded Vs. Lone Places in Chinese and U.S Cultures

Chinese people also do not like being alone or being in secluded places. They tend to

like crowds and be in areas with a lot of peoples since they perceive it as a fun and advantage of

enjoying security (MacKinnon et al. 1996). This was evident when I arrived in America but since

then, I enjoy peace and quietness. In most cases, American participate in camps and fishing as a

way of getting away from other people or groups. This is different from the Chinese culture. My

campus pictures appear to be lonely from the perspective of my family members. In the case of

America, crowded places are not secure since pickpocketers are lucking and it puts them at the

advantage end of swerving through the crowd.

Chinese vs. U.S Food Culture

Chinese culture is also within the tenents of foods. A family visitation means that one

will be served with a favorite noodle dish. Chinese culture expresses its caring nature via food.

Besides, one learns to cook many Chinese meals at a very tender age (Anderson and X 1999,

p.77). This way, the family serves as the dominant influence in taking household chores since I

can now prepare for myself. Most Chinese people including men, do not prefer to visit

restaurants but prefer cooking at their homes.

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The culture of America is also hinged in the food menu. However, most Americans prefer

fast foods. As opposed to Chinese culture, most Americans prefer visiting restaurants other than

cooking at their homes. Foods such as granted sushi, hot dogs, Pizza have origin from Germany.

Foods such as tortillas, spices including paprika and chilli make a more significant part in the

American cuisines due to the diverse culture (Anderson and X 1999, P.77). The American diet is

shaped by China, Japan, Spain, Britain, Ireland, Greece and France among many more. Besides,

Africa forms a part since rice was introduced as a staple food in the American diet. In most cities

of America, one would find any food available in this world.

This smorgasbord which is by the Swedish and Norwegians was as a result of their

immigration in the U.S. the menu was made in such a way that it satisfies American serves. The

difference in the sushi is that the original Japanese sushi is not made up of avocado and the

authentic Italian Pizza was not that heavy as the current American pizza. The two meals track

their origin from Italy and Japan (Anderson and X 1999, P.95). The impact of diverse culture has

had profound impacts on Americans. The impacts have been felt from food denominations to

celebration. The U.S culture value, equity, success and achievement, work and activity,

effectiveness and realism, earthly comfort, Aid, science and technology, Freedom, and

democracy.

Cultural Similarities and differences, U.S vs. China

The Chinese culture and American culture have myriad similarities and differences.

However, the similarities have been brought about by the influence of American culture on

Chinese culture. Initially, U.S culture was built on cultures from China but the U.S is influencing

other perceptions (Wu et al. 2002, PP. 481-491). The similarities include in foods cultures such

as sushi.
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However, there is a distinct margin between the U.S culture and Chinese culture. The

Chinese culture is built on collective efforts while the U.S culture prefers individualism. In U.S

groups such as families are not valued while in China groups such as nuclear and extended

families are seen as a source of hope and emotional support. Chinese prefer staying in crowded

and areas and groups as a source of security while on the other hand, the U.S people prefer

staying in deserted places while citing crowded places as attractive for criminal activities. The

Chinese are stingy and do not participate in charity and volunteer in public in a caution that they

can not support people who are not part of their family (Wu et al. 2002, PP. 481-491. On the

other hand, people from the U.S are benevolent and their humanitarian value has been expressed

in the form of U.S AID across the globe.

Conclusion
Chinese culture and American culture have a myriad difference based on collectivism and

individualism. Chinese culture is more hinged in collectivism as opposed to U.S culture that is

more individualized. Chinese culture is expressed in the form of collectivism as opposed to the

U.S culture which is more individualized for personal gains. However, the U.S cultural values

have been defined as wealth and prosperity, education achievement, equity, humanitarian aid,

and technology. Chinese people place a high value to family since it is seen as the source of care.

Groups are preferred by Chinese people since they believe they are source of security. On the

other hand, most U.S people do not like crowded places citing them as criminal harbors. The last

part of this report describes the eminent differences by comparing Chinese and American culture

where eminent differences are found in terms of collectivism and individualism cultures.
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References
Anderson, P.M. and He, X., 1999. Culture and the fast-food marketing mix in the People's

Republic of China and the USA: implications for research and marketing. Journal of

International Consumer Marketing, 11(1), pp.77-95.

Ferraro, G.P. and Briody, E.K., 2017. The cultural dimension of global business. Routledge.

Gutierrez, B.A., DeCristofaro, S. and Woods, M., 2011. What Americans think of international

humanitarian law. International Review of the Red Cross, 93(884), pp.1009-1034.

Mackinnon, M.E., Gien, L. and Durst, D., 1996. Chinese elders speak out: implications for

caregivers. Clinical Nursing Research, 5(3), pp.326-342.

Park, Y.S. and Kim, B.S., 2008. Asian and European American cultural values and

communication styles among Asian American and European American college

students. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 14(1), p.47.

Tseng, W.S. and Hsu, J., 2018. Culture and family: Problems and therapy. Routledge.

Wu, P., Robinson, C.C., Yang, C., Hart, C.H., Olsen, S.F., Porter, C.L., Jin, S., Wo, J. and Wu,

X., 2002. Similarities and differences in mothers' parenting of preschoolers in China and

the United States. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 26(6), pp.481-491.

Yan, Y., 2011. Chapter one: The changing moral landscape. Deep China: The moral life of the

person, pp.36-77.
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