Nailing down some broad generalizations

[Xiao Kui]

Hola! Lived in China several years and though I've figured out somethings abt Chinese culture: dos and don'ts etc., I find that when Argentines ask me what Chinese are like I can't make any generalization without immediately contradicting myself. For example, I could say they're reserved (don't SEEM to be as "emotionally expressive" as some westerners) yet also very uninhibited (esp when it comes to making a fool of yourself at karaoke or crying or having "lively discussions" in public) I once had a pretty good chart that compared cultural differences between westerners and Chinese, though it was over-general at times I found a lot of the things on it turned out to be true.

I've been looking for a similar chart on the web because some Argentine friends who are going to China next year want to know what to expect, but the charts I've stumbled on have been kind of over-general East-West (while I think China is too different to be lumped together with Korea/Japan) .(There are also a lot of silly charts that over-romanticize eastern culture, put together by western academics.) Does anyone know where I can find a chart like this on line, or alternately direct me to a thread in this forum that has a thoughtful discussion on cultural differences. (searched already but it's kind of general) Also, if anyone out there has made any observations on the cultural differences between Chinese and Latino cultures your input would be appreciated.

[liuzhou]

I can do no better than once again quote Walt Whitman

"Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself,

I am large, I contain multitudes."

As to reducing cultural differences to a chart, I've heard of crazier things, but not often. You seem to sensibly want to completely reject stereotypes, then ask for a chart as if culture is some mathematical problem.

Chinese culture isn't even a unified thing. The culture of Heilongjiang is almost as foreign to my friends here in Guangxi as is that of Latin America.

* I'm rather proud of the double split infinitive above!

[Xiao Kui]

I realize cultural differences can't be explained in a chart, but it gives you a place to start, and can be a good springboard for discussion. (And the one I had before was quite magical.) Having shared a house with mainland Chinese for a year in America before going to China, I nothing can prepare you for culture shock or explain in the thoroughly, but people like to have the illusion of being prepared before they get on the plane. But if no one has any such mathemagical formulas out there, or a decent article to refer me to, then so be it.

[gougou]

people like to have the illusion of being prepared before they get on the plane

I don't. I love going somewhere completely unprepared, it makes for a so much more unbiased first impression.