Ask a QuestionWhat to know about cultural differences between China and the US? It’s no wonder that Chinese culture is so different from American culture. Knowing some major cultural differences before traveling to China will be really helpful, because you may get to know Chinese people better, and understand why Chinese people act this way in certain circumstances. Now let’s mainly focus on the top 10 cultural differences between China and the US.
Chinese people put the group in the first place, they look more at how their thoughts and actions will affect the whole group, rather than their personal interests. Meanwhile, Chinese people will sacrifice for the greater picture of the group.
Americans set individuality on the first, they consider their personal goals more prioritized than the group collective. Compared to Chinese people, Americans focus on motivate individuals to achieve success.
When you have meal or hang out with Chinese people, or meet some Chinese friends during your trip in China, you will notice that your Chinese friends care less about their own feelings but how everyone feels. For example, they will order your favorite food even though they don’t really like that dish.
China is Great for Solo Travelers
Relationship, “Guanxi” in Chinese, is really important in China. Chinese people put efforts on building social networks, no matter for business or friendship. Social structure in China is formal, you may be shocked by the connections from person to person, as there is no exact line between personal life and professional life.
However, social structure in the United States is much more informal than in China, few lines are involved. Americans prefer to separate personal life from professional life, social interactions are more casual.
How to profit from your relationship? By joining the Loyalty & Referral Programs from Top China Travel, both you and your friends could get bonus for your upcoming China tour.
Both You and Your Friends will Love China
Humility is the other big culture difference between China and the US, which many westerners have known before traveling to China. Chinese people enjoy showing humility to people around, even though they’ve really achieved great success, it’s a kind of revere virtue among Chinese people, on the other hand, they don’t want to humiliate any person.
But in the United States, people feel comfortable to talk about success, and are happy to hear praise from other people. When you give compliments to Chinese people, they usually show their humility by politely responding “Nǎlǐ nǎli” in Chinese, which is a way to deflect a compliment.
China is lack of personal space, and it’s obvious that the large population must be the most important reason. It’s inevitable to meet a number of people, on the bus or walking on the streets. On the other hand, Chinese people are fine to be physically close to each other. Americans take personal space very seriously, some of them are quite offensive with being too physically close to other people, for their own personal bubble.
If you’re planning a trip to China from US, you have to accustom yourself to the massive crowds wherever you go, don’t expect too much on personal space. It’s better to join a private tour if you really mind personal space, you will enjoy a private car to all the places you want to visit, based on your interests.
Our Customers in Xi'an
Saving face is a very typical and important culture in China. Chinese people really hate losing face, they feel humiliating when they make mistakes, so that they would like to play it safe. That’s the reason why Chinese people often keep their own feelings to themselves, reputation is of much concern for Chinese people.
In the United States, losing face is not a big deal, reputations can come and go overnight. Americans are not afraid of making mistakes, they speak and act more freely, without worrying about humiliation.
This culture difference between China and the US can also explain why Chinese people like to order many dishes in the restaurants, and care more about luxury and designer brands.
Honestly, most Chinese people are sensitive, they will think carefully before speaking, in order to avoid misunderstanding. Sometimes Chinese people won’t tell you the true thoughts even though they disagree with your opinions, because they don’t want to hurt other people’s feelings. Chinese people consider it a polite and respectful way to communicate in an indirect way.
Americans prefer the opposite way, they like to be direct when communicate with other people. It’s common to see American people debate to defend for their own opinions, By knowing this culture difference between China and the US, you may get rid of some misunderstanding.
Don’t worry too much about the language barrier while traveling in China, our local guide will help you out.
Influenced by Chinese traditional culture, Chinese people are really respectful to the elders, even their ancestors are also honored. For example, young generations usually take care of their parents and grandparents, and they listen more advices from the elders when make decisions.
In contrast, Americans expect young generations to be more independent, they prefer to live separately when the time is right, sometimes the elders live far away from their children. Some elder Americans don’t like to be treated as seniors when traveling in China. Just remember that it’s all about respect.
Explore Mt. Huangshan Regardless of Age
Bargaining is one of the biggest cultural differences between China and the US. In China, you can bargain for a better price in many places, such as the markets and some stores along the shopping streets. However, bargaining seems never existed in the United States, Americans will accept it once the price is set. Sometimes vegetables from farmers markets are more expensive than what in the grocery stores.
Why do we have to mention the bargaining culture? By knowing this culture difference, you may save some money when you buy Chinese souvenirs along the shopping streets, don’t be afraid to bargain with the shop owners.
Hefang Street in Hangzhou
Chinese people think that hot water is better for the body, as drinking hot water or warm water may promote blood circulation. What’s more, tap water is not drinkable in China, Chinese people usually boil the water before drinking. Meanwhile, the culture of drinking tea is really popular, lots of Chinese people drink hot water and tea all the year round.
Most American people prefer drinking coffee, though some Americans also drink tea. But we guess none of Americans will ever consider drinking hot water before, because it’s really normal to see Americans drinking cold water and iced coffee when it’s snowy outside.
Have you ever met any Chinese people holding an umbrella in sunny days when you are in the United States? Why do they use umbrella under sunlight? Well, if you walk out in any cities of China, you may find that most females wearing long-sleeves and holding umbrellas, even though it’s really hot outside. That’s because the standard of beauty for Chinese people is totally different from Americans.
Chinese people like pale white skin, no matter for face or body, they think white skin is beautiful. As a result, they use sunscreen and umbrellas to protect themselves from the ultraviolet ray. On the contrary, Americans prefer tan color.
Chinese People Hold Umbrellas under Sunlight
Knowing the cultural differences between China and the US will help you understand Chinese people, so that you can travel more smoothly in China. Chinese culture has so much for you to explore, see some tours to prepare for your cultural tour in China.
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All the cultural activities can be arranged based on your own interests, don’t hesitate to create your personal tour in China.
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