The article What China Gets Right about Relationships by Sam Massie reminds me of the Quora question about the opinion on Chinese people. Obviously, answers from different people won’t be the same. To me, those different people fall into two groups: those with a vague picture of China, and those understanding Chinese culture very well.
It’s quite easy for the first category to reach some conclusions with prejudice:
“When was child, was taught to be watchful around Chinese people-they were the type that smiled when offended because they’ll stab you in the back in revenge (报复). They valued money over human life, and that was motive (动机) for all their activities.” -Quora User.
That provides us, if I can say so, a racist’s stereotype of Chinese people. It is sad to know many people do have an unclear idea about China-a long history, a large population, the Great Wall, Panda Express, festivals, tea, kongfu movies, cheap and bad clothes, the manufacturing power, a very large internal market, and hardworking (yes, especially high school students). All these are rather too simple and general.
By contrast, to those we call a China-hand, it is quite obvious that the word “Chinese” bears much more. In today’s ever globalized world, more and more foreign friends are increasingly attracted to Chinese culture. They learn Chinese, make Chinese friends, watch Chinese movies, and pay visits or even move to China. Understanding the differences between the east and the west, they could see through the appearance.
In many cases, the first impression of some Westerners about China is no more than rudeness but it is actually not that simple. What should be paid attention to are the in-group/out-group effects. Sam Massie is wise in saying that “rudeness to strangers is the flip side (相反面) of deep bonds with loved ones. I am overjoyed that he understands the generosity, sincerity and other good qualities of Chinese people. To me, no matter what the Westerners’ opinions are, what really matters is how we behave and the way we treat others. What’s your opinion?
12. According to the writer, the first group ________.
A.judge Chinese people one-sidedly |
B.see well into Chinese culture |
C.turn out to be ill-educated at school |
D.draw reasonable conclusions about China |
13. A China-hand will most probably agree that ________.
A.Chinese people can do anything to fight back against those who offend them |
B.China is very attractive in culture with its generous and sincere people |
C.China has a long history and the most hardworking students in the world |
D.China is profit-driven and as a result, people are cold to strangers |
14. The underlined word
stereotype in the fourth paragraph probably means ________.
A.changing and reasonable idea | B.a fixed and often right idea |
C.a fixed and often false idea | D.a changing and unfair idea |
15. The writer’s attitude to Sam Massie’s book is ________.
A.approving | B.objective | C.critical | D.indifferent |