Blog Entries in Navigating the Cultural Identity Journey
The Impact of Buddhism
Even When It Is More Cultural than Belief
In Asian culture, often anyone who is born in a Buddhist country is considered a Buddhist. It’s not uncommon for people with a strong family identity to consider their family and religion together.
Saving Face
In Chinese culture the concept of face is a very important part of social interaction and is specific to the group or family to which the person belongs.
Reciprocity—Goes Both Ways and Keeps on Going
Building relationships through sharing resources.
Guanxi
Or, Do I Have to Give Them Something to Make Friends?
When we lived in Asia, I was constantly asked for things and especially for money. Being a typical American, I was offended with their constant asking. I discovered later that asking for favors was a means of developing relationships.
The Importance of Filial Piety
Especially at a Distance
Our friends in Asia suspected that we did not want to take care of our family members, our parents in particular, and so we came to their country. They couldn’t understand that we had come for any other reason.
Chinese vs American Family
Don’t Tell Me What to Do!
I didn’t understand that by disagreeing with my parents and older people that I was not showing them respect and returning the care they had given me.
Cultural Identity—East vs West
Or Why They Cause Me Stress
In Asia I experienced a lot of cultural stress but didn’t know why. Not only was I trying to adjust to a different culture, but I was also dealing with unconscious American and Japanese cultural values.