Spinoff thread: American and Chinese culture Q and A thread

[Buzz Rules]

Spinoff thread: American and Chinese culture Q and A thread. It's a new year and time to add another culture Q and A thread. This thread will focus on the cultural differences and similarities between the USA and China. Given the Chinese President's comments last night, I feel our two countries might be moving towards a negative outcome in the future. But I also feel both our countries (ignoring the political aspects for the sake of this thread), could learn about positive things about each other's people, advancements, society, and nature within our countries as a whole. I always like to assume there are more good people in every country than bad/Ill intented people. I believe a loud minority of bad people do not represent the will of the majority of good people in any nation. I admit my knowledge on China is limited to what I learned in school, online research, and Youtube. Obviously, that does not give the fullest scope of a country. So I hope this thread might create a bridge of understanding between our two countries during this tense time and maybe bring some fun and happiness too.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Not quite only a Chinese-American production of musical cross pollination but it serves the purpose and allows a memoriam to an amazing composer who died recently:

Thank you and rest well, Mr. Sakamoto.

 

[Buzz Rules]

First question to Chinese Disboarders (if there are any), what are common foods/traditions for the lunar new year?

 

[tvguy]

Love to go there as my father was born in China. My nephew has gone several times iincluding n 2010 and 2012 leading College groups. He's a Professor of Religion. He says any efforts to try and track down any family links were STRONGLY discouraged by Chinese officials. He did manage to find the address of the house my Grandparents (his Great-Grandparents) live in when they lived there but the house is gone. My Grandfather was a German businessman there from about 1905-1912 and privately owned businesses of the past are topics that are kind of taboo.

 

[China Expat]

I lived in China for five years. Lots of differences for sure, but my students were just like our kids here at the end of the day.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Love to go there as my father was born in China. My nephew has gone several times iincluding n 2010 and 2012 leading College groups. He's a Professor of Religion. He says any efforts to try and track down any family links were STRONGLY discouraged by Chinese officials. He did manage to find the address of the house my Grandparents (his Great-Grandparents) live in when they lived there but the house is gone. My Grandfather was a German businessman there from about 1905-1912 and privately owned businesses of the past are topics that are kind of taboo.

What part of China is your father from?

 

[tvguy]

What part of China is your father from?

Shanghai.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Shanghai.

It could be related to the Triad (Chinese mafia) if they controlled those areas of China at the time (This is purely a guess though).

 

[tvguy]

It could be related to the Triad (Chinese mafia) if they controlled those areas of China at the time (This is purely a guess though).

My understanding is he ran Shanghai Oil, a private company.

 

[Buzz Rules]

My understanding is he ran Shanghai Oil, a private company.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triad_(organized_crime)

I don't know about the business but most private businesses in China (I believe) still have backroom deals with the government. If the authorities didn't want to help, it would make me wonder why. To be clear, I'm not saying your family was involved in anything wrong or illegal. I just think something is shady in some way if police don't want to help.

 

[tvguy]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triad_(organized_crime)

I don't know about the business but most private businesses in China (I believe) still have backroom deals with the government. If the authorities didn't want to help, it would make me wonder why. To be clear, I'm not saying your family was involved in anything wrong or illegal. I just think something is shady in some way if police don't want to help.

Not an issue involving the Police, LOL. My nephew says he gathered from the tour guides and the University Professors hosting his trips that the Chinese don't like to speak of times were the people had fewer restrictions.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Not an issue involving the Police, LOL. My nephew says he gathered from the tour guides and the University Professors hosting his trips that the Chinese don't like to speak of times were the people had fewer restrictions.

Ah, sorry for misunderstanding. The reaction from the people may be because of the government but I won't get into that for obvious reasons.