RANDOM THOUGHTS AND RANDOM PHOTOS…

Yin Yang- the Importance of Balance/Harmony

We have been back about 2 weeks, my/our jet lag has abated, I no longer have to remind myself to make sure there is enough- or any- toilet paper before squatting or sitting.  And  that it is now perfectly fine (in fact expected) to put the used paper into the toilet itself, rather than the handy wastepaper basket that is usually near-by. (Cultural note, while the term ‘toilet’ might be considered a bit too ‘personal’ in the US, it is the English term used in China.. .and perhaps not as confusing as the term ‘bathroom’ that is used in the US).
  We were welcomed back home by unusual and extremely hot weather combined with horrible air quality, although I suspect our time in Beijing made it seem not quite as intense, in comparison (sometimes distant buildings visible the day before had disappeared into the smoggy air by the next day). 

I have been continuing my learning and reading about cultural differences between China and the US.--more specifically differences in personality, interpersonal patterns and world views.  I just finished readingThe Girl at the Baggage Claim: Explaining the East-West Culture Gap by Gish Jen, and her thoughts have provided a lovely lens for thinking about both patterns I have observed in my Chinese students and friends as well as in myself.  While still in process here are some random thoughts. 

 

People constantly take photos of beauty- this time roses in bloom

Jen characterizes East/West differences related to our sense of self and boundaries/relationships with others. ‘Big Pit Cultures' (actually big avocado pit cultures), value independence, individuality and uniqueness, e.g the West and more specifically the US.  ‘Flexi-self cultures’ are those that prioritize maintaining harmonious relationships among people, with interpersonal boundaries being less rigid or flexible (at least with others who are related or connected to you.). Flexible boundaries are more characteristic of Asian cultures, although Jen also talks about many of us being a mixture of both.  

Not smoking is a collective goal, not a personal one

This distinction helped me view some past interactions with students differently. For example, sometimes the U.S. faculty (in China) would be concerned (e.g. complain) that often students would ask for a copy of the teacher’s powerpoint, and then use that same powerpoint or photo as part of their own presentation, without any acknowledgement that they were copying the teacher’s work. But from a Flexi-self perspective, using a teachers materials is actually a form of respect and honoring their relationship.  This pattern is often confusing for many from the US, who are bothered by China’s brilliant ability to replicate a huge range of items created by someone else: movies, software, buildings, and famous paintings to name a few examples.  Through an American lens, copying someone else’s work is stealing an individual’s unique expression or creation.  But in flexi-cultures, augmenting or even exactly copying someone else’s invention reflects the reality that nothing is actually created or manufactured by one unique individual.  We are also standing on the shoulders of others who are helping to support what we do.  

Shanghai Bund- everyone is taking pictures of everyone.. 

Jen also talks about teaching and learning styles.  In China, students listen and learn from the teacher who knows more than they do. Asking too many question or being asked to find their own answers to questions from the teacher is often seen as inappropriate or even wrong: the teacher's job is to teach, and the student’s job is to learn, and learning is about finding the ‘right’ answer rather than brainstorming the possibly many right answers that might exist.  
   What is interesting to me is that I have not found this behavior to be true for the Dance/Movement Therapy students and I wonder: why?  

Group support is easy for these Music Therapy students

Are dance (and music) therapy students more acculturated to Western ways of learning BECAUSE of their classes in these areas, or were they attracted to DMT or psychology (the ultimate practice of big pit individuality) because they had more ‘big pit’ tendencies? Do they like being students in a more involved dialogic manner, or are they accommodating to me needing them to be that way, because I am the teacher and they are responding flexibly to maintain harmony? 

And no matter what the reason, why are most of my students in Minnesota quiet, compliant, silent and reluctant to verbally participate in class discussions?  I just taught a workshop for professionals here in Minnesota, where despite my numerous questions, they sat and listened silently and for some without a lot of overt non-verbal expression. It was only after I saw the evaluations that I realized that they really liked the workshop and were really into it. Are Minnesotans more flexi self than my Chinese students???

Free Shared Bikes- cooperative transportations
(although we also see alot of trashed bikes as well)

Music in the Park, in a public sculpture

Jen's book also reminded me of the value in a flexi boundary culture of maintaining harmony, balance and not causing undue discomfort to others.  I think I see this reflected in how people dress (everything from colored uniforms to identify roles and group belonging, and a slightly higher level of ‘dressed-up-ness’ in the metro.  I think it is also a contributing factor in the different degree to which emotions are expressed. While laughter and happiness is expressed easily and mirrored by others in China, feelings such as sadness and anger are more hidden.                                     Often, as in some of the workshops or groups that I led, when these less acceptable feelings emerge, the groups seem to not be sure what to do. They seem relieved when I suggest that we make a smaller circle or hold hands or connect with each other in some way. But I wonder, what they would have done if I had not guided them into connecting more directly with each other. Often too, the person having the strong feelings would seem to be somewhat embarrassed, while still being appreciative of the group connection.
   Another example was a doctor who had a patient who had died, but chose to express their grief, not with their medical team, but in a group of people they didn’t know very well. (Afterwards they also told me that they were ‘checking me out’ to see if I was strong enough to be OK with their feelings. I was honored that, apparently I passed that ‘test’.)  While their choice and response makes sense to me on some level, what does it say about what is not so easily expressed in interdependent/flexi cultures?

MingMing, Bruce and Barbara outside the Capital Museum

While I have lots more to say and more that I hope to learn, this is getting very long.  I hope to have more opportunities to learn more about this in the future. Meanwhile, I will sign off for now…. stay tuned for South Korea next (coming up this summer).

Thanks for reading this, and we love to hear your thoughts and responses as well. 

Despite the air pollution, a beautiful canal