Alex

Dear Chinese Culture,

Thank you for opening my eyes to show me what a single united culture looks like. As I explored Beijing and its many wonderful sights, I was always brought back to the culture that connected it all. First off, the unbelievable food that I will miss for quite a long time; my favorites include hot pot, Peking duck, and dumplings. I appreciated the focus on high levels of protein and vegetables instead of carbs like in most American food. One of the most distinct differences is that most of the meals were served family style, which meant that all of the plates were at the center of the table, and each of us would pick and choose exactly what and how much we wanted. I prefer this style because it helps with portion control, and there are more options to choose from than just what you order.

The next distinct aspect of your culture that stood out to me was the inclusion of Buddhist and Taoist teaching and customs as a part of how a citizen should carry themselves. The virtues that these historic religions teach are embedded into every family in China, even if the family does not actively practice that religion. This provides a sense of unity and companionship among people of different areas. You could not be different from “American culture” in that sense. There are so many different backgrounds that many neighbors will have experience quite different upbringings, each with their own set of values and ways to live. This is one of the prevalent reasons as to why Americans are currently so divided with little to no common ground to unite under. We have a lot to learn from your culture in this way.

The final aspect of your culture that I would like to refer to is your importance on collectivism. When I think of that concept now, I understand that the focus is on one’s family. You stress the importance of children becoming successful not for their own individual gain, but in order to give their parents a better life towards the end. This really spoke to me because the American system puts the focus on individual success not investing the time and energy necessary. The existence of retirement homes perfectly explains this phenomenon, and how many Americans will just let others take care of their frail parents. I hope that I personally am not too busy in my future to have to do this. Thank you for all that you have taught me.

Sincerely,

Alex