Difference Between Chinese and Western Culture

The Difference Between Chinese and Western Culture

The movie 《Gua Sha》mainly describes the difference between Chinese and Western cultures.

We can see that at the beginning, Xu Datong hits his son since the little boy was impolite to another one who is his boss’s son. He has believed that he can show respect to his boss in this way. On the contrary, his behaviors make his boss embarrassed. It is common that parents beat their children if they are not obedient in China. However, the westerners don’t think so. In their eyes, every one is equal. So, they can’t understand that our Chinese parents hit children.

Second, Xu explains himself that he means to show respect to his boss by hitting his son. If his boss is a Chinese, there will not be some misunderstanding, because Chinese are more likely to please the boss.

Third, in terms of Gua Sha treatment, it’s one of Chinese traditional treatment which is strange in the eyes of foreigners. So they misunderstand the scars that are left after the treatment. Only you experience it will you understand that the scars are not severe as they appear.

Forth, after the official misunderstand that the scars on the back of little boy are caused by abuse, Xu cheats the police that it is he who do Gua Sha treatment on his son’s back. However, he is afraid that if he tells truth, his father’s green card will be detained. In the eyes of Chinese, this is human nature. But in the eyes of foreigners, it’s weird since they respect truth and are unwilling to distort truth.

Fifth, in the court, Xu’s boss should appear to testify that he has abuse his son. In the eyes of Chinese, we may think it’s unbelievable that Xu’s good friend should do something harmful to his friend. But, foreigners do not think so. They respect truth and laws.

Sixth, when Xu’s father decides to go back to Chine, Xu drives his son secretly in order to see his father off. Obviously, his behavior is against law, but he still believes it is what he should do to fill his father’s wish. Our Chinese attach more importance to kinship, in spite it is illegal. However, the foreigners are more inclined to laws and truth.

Seventh, when their little baby was born, Xu was attending a meeting so that he could not accompany his wife. So, the nurse who has taken care of his wife appears in court to testify it. As to American, it is more important to accompany wife who is going to give birth a baby than to attend a meeting.

Finally, we can see from the movie that when Xu’s father is lost, he leaves his son alone at home to find his father. However, it’s illegal to do so in America, while it means nothing in China.