本文刊載於《休士頓臺灣商會2014年年刊》
張世勳 多數會友來美至少也應有二,三十年以上了。對於美國西方文化習俗也有很多的了解和經驗。本人也在美國居住了四十年了。從初中生到年過半白也經歷了不少西方的洗禮。但是我們華人固有的束方文化我也是天天在接觸。幾年前我在商會年刊寫了一遍東西兩方的差異,收到不少會友的共鳴。這次我再完整的整理一次,而且加了很多點滴,把這個主題-東西交匯 “East meets West” 用中英對照方示來與各位會友分享。 不過首先請大家了解因為西方文化的進入與洗禮,東方文化也在漸漸的在改變。有些觀點可能會友不太能贊同。這些比較只是讓大家注意到在觀念上東,西兩方的不同而以。我希望會友們能夠和我們第二或第三代或是美國朋友共同來思考分享因文化不同而產生的差異, 希望雙方能多互相了解,禮讓和尊重。
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Issues
類別 |
East
東方 |
West
西方 |
Main Philosophy
主要哲學理念 |
Universal-all embracing
Soul & Intellect Interrelated or Oneness Harmony & Unified 宇宙萬物一體,內在與智能,個體相互關連或合一,和諧與統合 |
Individual-oneness
Accumulation of knowledge Separate parts from the whole Master & Control reality 個人主體,外在知識累積,個體與群體併立,要求瞭解與掌控現實 |
Philosophy Derived From
哲學理念起源 |
Buddhism, Confucianism,
Taoism, Zen 佛教,儒學,道教,禪宗
|
Christianity, Scientific, Logical, Rational, Roman and Greek societies
基督教,科學的,邏輯, 理性、羅馬和希臘社會 |
Conception of
the Self 自我觀
|
Collectivism, Interdependence, Passive, Introverts, Conformity, Obedience
集體主義,相互依存,被動的, 內向,服眾,順從 “群體主義,以「我們」為中心” |
Individualism, Independent,
Assertive, Extroverts, Autonomy, Freedom 個人主義, 獨立,自主,外向, 自治,不受拘束; “個人主義,以「我」為中心” |
Expression of Self
自我表達
|
“We”-oriented,
Receiver-sensitive 以“我們“為觀點 |
“I”-oriented,
Sender- oriented 以 “自我“為觀點 |
The Attitude
of Individual 個人的態度
|
Group duty,
preservation of harmony 有維護團體和諧的責任 |
Rights and greater need for autonomy and individual achievement
重視個人成就所必備的條件: 權利與自主 |
View on Society
對社會的看法 |
Thinking aims for harmony
追求和諧 |
Thinking strives for order
注重秩序 |
Law in Society
法制公序 |
Society based on relationship
人情社會 |
Society based on law in order
法制社會 |
Social Interactions
社會互動
|
Social interactions in society are more hierarchical-based
社會互動重視尊卑階級 |
Social interactions are often more casual and easy-going
社會互動往往較隨意,隨和 |
Moral
道德 |
Based on Confucianism
以儒家思想為主 |
Based on Christian religion
以基督教教義為主 |
Thinking Logic
思考邏輯
|
“Spiral”
More roundabout and subtle 螺旋形思考,迂迴間接
|
“Linear”
More causal relationships and direct associations between A and B 直線式思考,注重因果關係 |
Communication
of Information 溝通方法
|
Meaning is often implied or must be inferred. Use of indirect
language patterns 採暗示迂迴的說法,話中有話,聽者要揣測話者話語的原始真意 |
More meaning is in the explicit, verbal message. Use of direct language
用言語直接表達
|
Communication Expression
溝通表達
|
Avoid saying no
“We will do some research and discuss it later.” 儘量避免說不, “我們再研究,以後再說吧“ |
No means no
“Which no don’t you understand.” 不行就是不行, “ 說不行你還聽不懂“
|
Expression
of Honesty 表達真意 |
Subtle, nonverbal, reserve
透過細微的,非言語方式 ,保守的方式傳達 |
“speak their mind“,
“get it out on the table“ 直接說出想法 |
Meaning of “YES”
溝通中表示「是」的真實含義
|
Acknowledge to what is being said. It does not necessarily mean an agreement has been made.
表示瞭解對方所說的,但不必然表示同意雙方達成協議 |
There is an agreement between people or a commitment to do something.
雙方達成協議, 彼此信守承諾 |
Expression of
Agreement & Disagreement 贊同與反對 的表達 |
More difficult to say no even if one means no; disagreement expressed nonverbally
即使不同意也很難出口拒絕: 反對時會採非言語方式表示 |
More argumentative; willing to express disagreement verbally
比較會開口直接表達不同的意見或立場 |
Conflict Resolution
衝突解決方法 |
More mediation through trusted
third parties 傾向透過信賴的第三者居間協調 |
Confrontational, Use of lawyers
and courts 遇有衝突,喜歡找律師上法庭 |
Conflict results
衝突結果
|
Win-Win. “To lose is to win”,
“Lose in order to win” 追求雙贏,少輸為贏, 「塞翁失馬,焉知非福」 |
Perception of two states:
win or lose 兩極化的結果: 非輸即贏 |
Work Attitude
工作態度
|
Hard work is a virtue,
work to feel secure 努力工作是一種美德, 以工作換取安全感
|
Work is part of life and NOT life;
more efficient and relax 工作是生活的一部分 並不是人生的全部; 工作態度更有效率和放鬆 |
Family
家庭 |
Family is the building block
of society. Inter-dependence is encouraged among family members. 家庭是社會的基本基礎; |
The goal of the family is to promote the individual happiness of its members. Believe in nuclear families
家庭的目標是促進其成員的 個人幸福;相信小家庭制度 |
Filial Piety
孝道
|
The moral conduct of all and the basic foundation of all attitudes in the society
孝道是在社會中的所有 道德品行的基本基礎 |
Diminishes due to individualistic and independent aspect of the culture
文化上注重個人主義和獨立性, 孝道相對減低 |
View on Retirement
對退休的看法 |
Retire to enjoy
the gift of your family 退休享受天倫之樂 |
Retire to enjoy the
rewards of your work 退休享受以前工作得來的報酬 |
Concept on Savings
儲蓄的概念 |
Frugal Living and live within their means; saving for the raining day
節儉為美德,量入為出, 儲蓄以備不時之需 |
Addiction to consumption, paying “on time” and living under a mountain of debt.
偏好消費,不惜背負債務度日, 不喜提早償還借債 |
Women
女性
|
Shy and reserved,
dependent, conservative, family oriented 害羞,保守和依賴性, 以家庭為重心 |
Assertive and confident,
independent, liberal, career oriented 果決、自信,獨立, 自在,重視事業 |
View on Marriage
對婚姻的看法 |
More to the commitment of
the marriage itself 重視婚姻關係所代表的承諾 |
Value on the quality of
the marriage for oneself 重視婚姻實質有否達到 自己的期待(品質) |
View on Privacy
關於隱私 |
Talking about domestic concerns of others is very natural
關切別人的家事是平常事 |
Value their privacy highly
高度重視自己的隱私
|
Achievement
& Winning 成就 |
Winning is
inside yourself 內心高興但此較不會表現出來 |
Winning is
outside yourself 很容易表現出來 |
Philosophy
of Future 未來的哲學理念 |
Future is determined
by your deeds today. 個人的未來決定於現在的行為 |
Future is predestinated,
it was predetermined by God. 上帝已對未來事先有所安排 |
Group Dynamics 團體互動
|
Conflict avoidance, tend not to embarrass anyone, avoid standing out from
the crowd 避免衝突,往往不願讓其他人難堪,避免在群體中突出 |
Use direct,
confrontational tactics. often loud and outspoken 採取直接,對質的方法, 態度明顯和直言不諱 |
Friendships
友誼
|
commitment is more closely tied to intimacy. There is an expectation that friendship, after a deep talk, will continue at the same level.
來往密切後容易形成友誼關係,期待彼此交心後,友誼長久持續 |
can become intimate quite quickly in friendships, but that doesn’t mean that they are committed. Commitment takes longer to happen.
很容易形成親近關係, 但不表示認定彼此建立友誼, 長久的友情需要較多的時間培養 |
Face Culture
面子文化 |
Maintaining family or your own reputation and doing the same for others is essential
維護自己或家庭的名聲,對他人推己及人也應持同樣的作法 |
Mostly use to protect themselves
from humiliation, social embarrassment and, personal accountability 主要是用來保護自己免受屈辱, 尷尬和獨自承擔責任 |
Nature of the
Business Relationship 生意關係 |
Personal, long lasting,
relationship comes first 講求人情關係, 書面協議為次要 |
Superficial, contractual,
economics come first 以利為考量, 凡事以「白紙黑字」為準 |
Leadership Roll
主管領導方式 |
Give guidance and personal support, expect strong loyalty and obedience in return.
提供下屬指導和支持, 同時期望下屬絕對忠誠和服從
|
Part of the team but just
happens to be the one in charge because of specialized skills and greater experience 主管屬於團隊的一員, 他可能因為正好有專門的技能和 較豐富的經驗而獲得職位 |
Office Relationships
辦公室關係 |
Desire to form close relationships with people they work with and often feel offended if others do not reciprocate.
期盼同事間有好的互動及感情,也希望對方如此態度 |
Believe that professional relationships with colleagues at work should not become overly personal.
與同事之間的工作專業關係 不宜太過轉變為私人情誼 |
Time Sense During Meetings
時間觀念 |
Appointments less driven by exact start and end times
時間僅供參考 |
Be on time and end on time
注重準時開始與結束 |
Sharing
分享
|
Consider it rude to not share treats with friends
自己獨享好處被認為是不禮貌的 |
Not expected to share treats with friends
「獨享」是被接受的常態 |
Students Behavior
學生課堂行為
|
Quiet and passive, more dependent on their lecturers
安靜和被動的, 很依賴老師 |
Analytical and critical, more participation in classroom
很多分析和討論的參與 |
Teaching and Learning Style
教學與學習風格
|
Expected to memorize material and repeat the answers essentially verbatim on exams
填鴨式教育, 重複練習背答案 |
Encourages more in-class discussion and problem-solving exercises
鼓勵在課堂上討論 和演練如何解決問題 |
Parenting
教育子女方式 |
Demanding
“academic achievement reflects successful parenting” 嚴格 “子女課業成績優秀表示父母教導成功“ |
Permissive
“fewer demands, allow considerable self-regulation” 寬容 “較少的要求,容許相當自我管理“ |
Parents Expectation
父母的期望 |
We know what are better for you!
希望子女依照父母的期待發展 望子成龍, 望女成鳳 |
Be what you want to be;
have it your way 容許子女朝自己的想法與 興趣發展 |
Healthy Concepts
健康概念 |
Stress on the balance of
yin and yang in the body 強調體內陰陽的平衡 |
Stress on the causes
and symptoms of illness 重視疾病的起因與症狀 |
Causes on Illness
病症的原因 |
Often views illness as an imbalance between the various bodily systems
通常病症為身體系統之間 的一種不平衡狀態 |
Attributes sickness to the intrusion of a foreign element such as bacteria, viruses, or cancer cells.
疾病是因外來因素的侵入, 例如細菌,病毒或者癌細胞 |
Health Care Approach
醫療保健方法 |
Use herbal medicines and acupuncture to treat or prevent health problems
使用中藥和針灸調養 |
Removing the symptoms
using direct methods 用化學藥來對症下藥 |
Food Facts
食物 |
Categorized food into
five properties: cold, cool, neutral, warm, hot 食物有: 寒,凉,中,溫,熱五個屬性
|
The six food groups are:
grains, vegetables, meats & beans, oils, fruits and dairy products 六大類基本食物:五穀及根莖類,蔬菜類, (魚,肉,蛋,豆)類, 油脂類, 水果類和乳製品類 |
Meal
用餐
|
Selection of
shared dishes 大家一起共享桌上盤不同的菜肴 |
Individual portion
in the plate 每個人盤子中分有自己的菜肴 |
Zodiac Signs
出生生肖星座
|
Derives from 12 animals that has their own unique personalities and traits. It is calculated according to lunar calendar.
以不同個性及特點的十二種動物輪流代表每一陰曆年 |
Based upon the months of
the solar year. Derives from constellations that move through the sky. 根據星座的移動來觀看命理 |
White Color
白色 |
Death, Mourning,
Sadness, Funerals 死亡,哀悼,悲傷,葬禮 |
Purity, Chastity,
Holiness, Cleanliness 純淨,貞潔,神聖,潔淨 |
Black Color
黑色 |
Wealth, Health, Prosperity
財富,健康,繁榮 |
Mourning, Solemnity, Authority
哀悼,嚴肅,權威 |
Red Color
紅色 |
Joy, Good Fortune,
Prosperity, Celebration 喜悅,好運,繁榮,慶祝 |
Excitement, Passion,
Action, Love, Danger 興奮,激情,動作,愛情,危險 |
Yellow Color
黃色 |
Imperial, Sacred, Honor
皇帝,神聖,榮譽 |
Hope, Warmth,
Hospitality, Caution 希望,溫暖,好客,小心 |