Navigating cultural differences in Asia (including beautiful photos of Asia)

When planning to study abroad in Asia, it’s good to be prepared to encounter some cultural differences. While such differences do exist between Western countries as well, they are generally less sharp than between the West and the East. For some, experiencing and learning about these differences is one of the prime motivators to study in Asia in the first place.

In this post I’d like to discuss some differences between Western and Asian culture. Having been in China for three months now I haven’t personally experienced a major culture shock. It might be because I was prepared and expected things to be rather different They certainly are, some in obvious and some in less obvious ways. Enumerating everything would take a lot of space, so I will give you a big picture which perhaps makes it easier to understand whatever other differences there are. I will also concentrate on one aspect of East and Southeast Asian culture which is highly important to keep in mind when planning to stay around here for any longer period of time, even just studying.

Differences between Western and Eastern ways of thinking
In The Geography of Thought, Richard Nisbett summarizes the differences between Western and Eastern ways of thinking as in the following way: Westerners think that the world is relatively linear, stable, mechanic, whereas Easterners think its complex, always changing and organic. Westerners focus more on objects and people in isolation from their environment whereas Easterners focus on relationships between objects and the environment, and on people as part of groups.

One way to measure cultural differences is the Individualism-Collectivism dimension, which tells us how much focus there is in a society on individuality and being your own person as opposed to belonging to groups and maintaining harmonious relationships. The West is more individualistic whereas the East is more collectivist. The Western individualist tradition has been influenced by ways of thinking inherited from ancient Greece, the Protestant Reformation as well as the development of market economy, whereas collectivism in the East, especially in China but also in Japan and Korea, has been influenced by Confucianism. This philosophy holds that everyone has their role to fulfill in the society, which is likened to a big family. Maintaining social harmony matters more than striving to stand out as an individual and fulfill one’s goals. While Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand have not been influenced by Confucianism, they are also collectivist.

Individualism vs. Collectivism. Illustration by Yang Liu
This different way of thinking about individuals and their place in society has implications for how to conduct yourself in encounters and relationships with Asians. One of the most important things to bear in mind is the concept of face.

Keep the face or face the consequences
The concept of face is highly important in East and Southeast Asian cultures. It is a term for your personal sense of honor and dignity, which you strive to uphold in your interactions with others. Whereas the concept of self-esteem in Western psychology refers to your personal subjective evaluation of your own worth, face is much more related to your social standing, prestige and how you are seen by others.

The worst thing you can do in your dealings with Asians is to make someone “lose face”. This will often result the person either avoiding you in the future or perhaps making your life difficult. I remember once having a cultural exchange in Finland with two students, one from Hungary and one from China. I believe I unthinkingly said something to the Chinese guy once which made him, because after that he stopped to attend our meetings, usually giving some excuse. Making someone lose face may disrupt or end the relationship, unless an attempt is made to restore their face.

Some of the ways to make someone lose face are openly criticizing, challenging, disagreeing with, or denying someone, calling someone out on a lie, revealing someone’s lack of ability, not showing proper deference to elders or superiors and turning down an invitation with an outright no (instead they usually say “maybe”, “yes, maybe”, “we’ll do our best”, “let’s talk about it later” etc.). Also, losing one’s temper entails a mutual loss of face for both parties.

On the other hand, praising someone publicly (especially in front of their elders or boss), and giving sincere compliments are ways to give someone face. Giving presents is also a way to give face.

Respecting the teacher
When studying abroad in Asia, it is important to keep the notion of face in mind when dealing with locals on- and off-campus. It is especially important to remember when interacting with your teacher.

In Asia, teachers are held in high regard. To openly contradict your teacher, point out a mistake or prove them wrong could cause a serious loss of face for them. So, if you need to disagree with them, correct them or present another point of view, it’s good to try to do it in a very discreet and polite way, preferably in private. Interrupting someone in mid-sentence is also considered disrespectful, so it’s good avoid that as well.

Often the style of teaching might also be different from what you have been used to in your home country. Sometimes it is ok if you suggest that things be done in another way, but again one should be careful how you present their case, without putting the teachers’ sense of esteem and competence in line.

How you interact with a teacher of course often depends on their age, personality and how much experience they have with Western students and Westerners in general. You have play it by feel. The older and higher educated the teacher, and the less they are used to dealing with Westerners, the more careful you have to be to show them proper respect. Younger teachers and those with more contact with the West might sometimes be more casual and welcoming of your viewpoints and suggestions, but it always pays to maintain the same respectful conduct toward them as well.