Think for Yourself
China is a very communal society. No, I’m not talking about communism, I’m talking about community. It is not uncommon to have a complete stranger want to hold your baby on the bus. Strangers encountered on the sidewalk in America would never offer snacks to your children - this is commonplace in China. This communal way of thinking, mixed with an ancient culture and the beliefs of Chinese medicine lead to an interesting cultural phenomenon - Chinese people can’t think for themselves.
Example - It was 75 perfect degrees in Beijing yesterday. We used this opportunity to walk (Keegan and Reese rode their rollerblades) to McDonald’s for lunch. I was appropriately wearing a short sleeve shirt and Beckett was wearing a long sleeve one piece outfit. As he was lounging in his stroller and taking in the oft hidden Beijing sunshine it was obvious by his bare legs that he was not wearing long johns. Chinese people put on long johns on October 1st (Chinese National Day) and will wear them continuously until May 1st (Communist Labor Day). Whenever a Chinese person sees another person who is not dressed in sufficient layers they will ask, “are you cold?” Three times during this one walk I was asked if my baby was cold.
As an American, I used to be angered every time a Chinese person would ask this question. When they say “are you cold?” my American ears hear, “Are you an idiot? Do you not know how to dress yourself?” Or else, “Are you such a horrible parent that you would let your kid out in the cold insufficiently dressed?” Having lived in China for a long time now I know that they only ask because they care.
The third time a lady asked me if Beckett was cold I decided to make a point to all of China (even though only one lady was listening). “It is 75 degrees out here right now. The weather is beautiful. Of course he is not cold!” As I eyed her wearing her leather jacket with sweater underneath and long black pants (which of course had long johns underneath) I asked her if she was hot. She said she was. I ended my point there. Enough said.
Even though the weather was perfect she was wearing too many clothes because her culture told her she had to. She is not allowed to think for herself.
This got me thinking - in what ways do we Americans make the same mistake? In what ways are we enslaved to our culture to the point that we do not think for ourselves and disregard common sense? Comments?
Example - It was 75 perfect degrees in Beijing yesterday. We used this opportunity to walk (Keegan and Reese rode their rollerblades) to McDonald’s for lunch. I was appropriately wearing a short sleeve shirt and Beckett was wearing a long sleeve one piece outfit. As he was lounging in his stroller and taking in the oft hidden Beijing sunshine it was obvious by his bare legs that he was not wearing long johns. Chinese people put on long johns on October 1st (Chinese National Day) and will wear them continuously until May 1st (Communist Labor Day). Whenever a Chinese person sees another person who is not dressed in sufficient layers they will ask, “are you cold?” Three times during this one walk I was asked if my baby was cold.
As an American, I used to be angered every time a Chinese person would ask this question. When they say “are you cold?” my American ears hear, “Are you an idiot? Do you not know how to dress yourself?” Or else, “Are you such a horrible parent that you would let your kid out in the cold insufficiently dressed?” Having lived in China for a long time now I know that they only ask because they care.
The third time a lady asked me if Beckett was cold I decided to make a point to all of China (even though only one lady was listening). “It is 75 degrees out here right now. The weather is beautiful. Of course he is not cold!” As I eyed her wearing her leather jacket with sweater underneath and long black pants (which of course had long johns underneath) I asked her if she was hot. She said she was. I ended my point there. Enough said.
Even though the weather was perfect she was wearing too many clothes because her culture told her she had to. She is not allowed to think for herself.
This got me thinking - in what ways do we Americans make the same mistake? In what ways are we enslaved to our culture to the point that we do not think for ourselves and disregard common sense? Comments?
That is pretty interesting, as my students are always asking if my son is cold, or they straight up say he is cold! And I always feel very defensive, even though I know, especially after reading this they are just concerned for my child! At the moment I can not think of anything we do in America, but I am sure there are many and it is quite thought provoking.
ReplyDeleteI agree that many times we do not think for ourselves or we would be standing up for what is right and defending the helpless more. But I also know that sometimes people don't know what to say but they want to "connect" somehow and what comes out isn't exactly what one might want to hear. It is like Sunday dinner when Mom keeps asking the adult children if they would like more peas :)
ReplyDeleteLaureen
I can think of a million examples...most often the answer to this question is fashion. Why do most people shop in their free time, perusing items in a mall? Most everyone in the mall is wearing the same thing and the people that aren't are there to purchase what everyone else is wearing! Now all this being said, your wife is the best I know at taking what's trendy and making it her own. This is only possibly when you are comfortable in who you are and are willing to step out of the shadow of what society says we should be wearing. Some people should have that freedom revoked...i.e. peopleofwalmart.com. Can't wait to see you guys!
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