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China Culture

Curved and Straight Lines: Navigating the Complexities of Chinese vs. Western Thinking

Throughout history’s story China has predominantly taken the place of a powerful regional influencer. Only in the past couple of hundred years did China find itself on the bottom instead of on top of the game, and she has never had any intention to stay there. The past 50 years have proven China’s determination to rise again. Her feats and determination have proven spectacular in many ways. For example, no other country has lifted over 850 million people out of overwhelming poverty in such a short period of time. Along the path to this victory China has been slowly setting her eyes and attention to gaining influence and power on a global scale. She has allocated an enormous amount of resources to extend her soft power tactics in areas such as economic partnerships, trade, Chinese language initiatives (such as the Confucius Institute), and now vaccine diplomacy. As China has awakened, the west has watched, smirked, doubted, and stood in awe.

China has taken a seat at the global table and over the decades since the bamboo curtain fell under the reforms of Deng Xiao Ping the mysteries of the Chinese people have slowly been fading. First, foreigners entered the anomaly China had become, and now within only a few decades the Chinese have come to dominate the global tourism industry, exploring the world their parents and grand-parents were never permitted to see. But, on both a personal and political scale China has stood bewildered at the behavior of the west and the west has likewise stood baffled at the east.

The depth and width of these interactions are complex and in their entirety beyond the scope of one blog post. However, one key to uncovering the cultural mysteries shrouding the east from the west and vice a versa is learning to navigate the curved and straight thinking of each culture. Following are 3 ways which begin to reveal the mysteries shrouding mutual intercultural understanding:

CIRCLES vs. SQUARES

Circles have always been meaningful symbols in Chinese culture. This can be seen from designs on clothing to the traditionally curved architecture. One of the most notable presentations of the circle in Chinese culture is at the Chinese dining table. This compares sharply with the traditional rectangular tables found in most western dining rooms. The continual curved line of a circle symbolizes harmony, flexibility, sharing, and equality. The round culture expects and often formally gives time for each attendee to share.

Westerners usually sit at square tables, whether for dining or work. At the head of the table sits the leader of the family, meeting, or the gathering. Everyone is not necessarily given an equal opportunity to communicate. It is often assumed that one will assert himself if he has something valuable to say, rather than wait to be called upon for their turn. When Chinese join a conversation, social gathering, discussion, or debate they often expect everyone will be given equal opportunity to contribute. They are left disappointed when this curved round table meets the straight square table.

FARMING CURVES AND OPPORTUNITY

The beauty and curves of rice paddies cut out of mountains or weaving their way through fields is picturesque iconic China. It contrasts greatly with the linear corn or wheat fields typical in Western farming, and even more with the herding culture of the west. Although, farming seems like a thing of the past for most citizens of western countries, it wasn’t that long ago when subsistence farming was a regular occurrence, and even less distant to the Chinese. The thinking patterns and expectations born in farming have been ingrained in the culture of both societies. 

The curved lines of Chinese farming indicate a flow with nature. The Chinese fields flow with the lay of the land, bending with the mountains and dipping with the valleys. To the Chinese, some things can’t be changed, but they can be adjusted, molded and shaped. Many minority people groups in China were forced out of more suitable and favorable soil in ancient battles and forced to make the best out of a bad situation. They transformed steep mountain inclines into arable land. The Chinese know how to adapt and the curves of their fields are evidence of it.

The curves in their rice paddies represent the demands of highly labor intensive work. Work that could not be accomplished by just one person, a large community or family were needed. Ancient Chinese families were intentionally large to provide a workforce capable of bringing a productive harvest. The cooperation between family and community members was essential for survival and provoked a strong culture of harmony and cooperation.

Westerners avoided the curved fields of the east, instead developing a pioneer spirit seeking perfect opportunity. When western Europe became overpopulated the age of exploration was dawning and the most massive immigration the globe has ever seen ensued. American pioneers later imitated their predecessors. When opportunity in the eastern portion of America was limited, pioneers loaded up their wagons and moved west to find the perfect plot of land ready for plowing or for a herd of cattle. If a plot of land wasn’t suitable the pioneer would move on until he found one that was. These settlers lived by themselves or with their families and worked hard to feed themselves, but often lived isolated and independent from others. This encouraged little need for cooperation or harmony in the way eastern families and communities relied on one another. Thus, westerners and easterners often subconsciously bring these underlying cultural traditions to the intercultural table of communication, forming curved and straight lines of thinking.

SHARP AND CURVED DECISION MAKING

Chinese prefer decisions and transitions in curves rather than straight and aggressive angles and lines. Westerners tend to prefer stark straight and immediate decisions and transitions. For example, compare the political transitions of America over the past two decades in terms of its foreign policy. George W. Bush’s presidency was marked with aggressive assertiveness which resulted in a lingering war in the Middle East. Upon his first day in office a new approach to foreign policy came with President Barack Obama. The result was a near total withdrawal of troops from the Middle East and a refusal to involve America deeply in other global conflicts. In East Asia Obama pioneered a multi-nation free trade agreement and prioritized the accomplishments of the Paris Agreements on climate change. In 2017 President Donald Trump again completely shifted America’s foreign policy approach taking the theme of “America First.” As a part of the “America First” priority Trump quickly withdrew America from the Trans-Pacific Partnership which Obama established, as well as the Paris Agreement. These types of sharp line shifts, although inconvenient and irritating to many are perfectly acceptable to American westerners.

The Chinese on the other hand are left baffled at the sharp western transitions. The Chinese prefer smooth and slow transitions wherever possible. Part of this extends back to the continuity of Chinese society, almost entirely with an Emperor leading the people. This doesn’t mean they will avoid aggressive action, but most often methodically contemplate how to bring about transition in the most beneficial manner possible. The western approach is much more willing to take risk. The Chinese would rather wait for the most opportune time. Take for example, the agreement by the UK to handover Hong Kong back to the Chinese. An original agreement of 50 years was decided upon to maintain the “one country, two systems” approach. Although this issue has recently been a hot point of conflict and criticism, with western nations criticizing the Chinese for breaking their agreement. It must be noted that the Chinese have attempted since the early 2000’s to slowly begin implementing change towards integration. Hong Kong has largely been resistant to any change and only in recent years has Beijing taken more aggressive action. Almost 25 years after the original agreement. Taiwan has likewise been a considerable frustration for Beijing. For some 70+ years Beijing has patiently waited for the right time and for strategic opportunities to improve the relationship and bring Taiwan back under its control. Most certainly demonstrating the slow, curved line approach. America’s approach has been dominated by sharp line moves.

There are two very different approaches taken by westerners and easterners in their curved and straight-line patterns. Better understanding these lines for both parties could be what spares the world from another tragic and destructive global war.