中美文化差异 Cultural Differences: America and China

Going to the Pharmacy

人难免会生病，每种文化对待小病小灾的方式稍有差异。中国人生病时一般去就近的药店买所需药品，处方药或者非处方药都可以在这些药店里买到。而这种方式在美国人看来简直太方便了，因为在美国，他们必须有专业医师的处方才能买到处方药。

Nobody enjoys having a cold or the flu, but how we deal with these common illnesses varies depending on our location. Here in China, sufferers are able to walk themselves down to any pharmacy and pick up their medicine. From traditional Chinese cures to what Americans refer to as “over the counter” medications; all are available without a doctor’s preion. This process sounds incredibly simple to an American who is used to making an appointment to see the doctor and then waiting to get medication with a preion.

3. 逛街会友：挽手VS 距离

Walking with Friends

友情很常见，但是不同文化间表达友情的方式却迥然不同。中国人喜欢在逛街时与朋友手挽手甚至手牵手，这种现象在男生和女生中都存在。而在外国人看来这一亲密举动在情侣关系中更合适。因为不同文化对两个手挽手的人会有不同的定义。

Friendship is universal, but how we express our feelings towards our friends is not. In China, you will often see groups of friends linking arms or even holding hands while walking the streets. This is true for both males and females. To a western mind this level of intimacy is generally reserved only for romantic partners. Seeing two people arm-in-arm sends very different messages depending on which culture you come from.

4. 饮茶方式：热茶VS冰茶

Drinking Tea

许多西方人以中国为茶的故乡。美国饮茶文化与中国饮茶文化判然不同。“美式冰茶”是一杯由切碎的茶叶为料并加以大量糖块和柠檬的冰饮料，并不像经多次浸泡的中式茶口感温热。国外茶包里的茶叶要比中国茶叶更苦涩，所以美国人更喜欢经过深加工的甜味茶品。而茶，作为中华民族的举国之饮，中国更倾向于一种传统的饮茶方式，喝热茶是中国人普遍的饮茶习惯。

Many people in the west equate China with tea drinking. However, if you asked an American to bring you a glass of tea you would probably not receive the perfectly steeped, warming tonic that a Chinese person would bring you. In America you are more likely to be given an iced beverage made from finely chopped tea leaves, steeped from a bag, and loaded with plenty of sugar and lemon. The western idea of the tea bag mean that tea is usually more bitter and more processed than loose-leaf teas in China. This is why the Americans drown their tea in sweeteners. While Chinese tea culture maintains more of a traditional approach that the western palate has yet to discover.

5. 买卖习惯：小费VS讲价

Bartering and Buying

中美货币流通大体相似，但价格标签却大不一样。在美国，你需要花多于5美元的价格去购买一件标价5美元的东西。因为价格标签并不包括营业税及小费。相比来说，由于“讨价还价文化”，中国商品可能一开始就没有标价。在中国，顾客先问价再准备好以合适的价格砍价。讨价还价是中国顾客的一种习惯，就像美国人习惯性把营业税与小费加到商品上一样。

Price tags in America and China vary on more points than simply the currency they reflect. In the U.S. if you want to buy something marked as $5.00 you should plan on paying a little more than the listed price. Sales tax and gratuity are rarely factored into the listed price of items in the States. On the flip side, items in China might not even have a price tag to begin with. This is because of the bartering culture that exists in many markets across the country. Shoppers should be prepared to ask for prices and then be ready to spend a bit of time bargaining down the price to a reasonable amount. The art of bartering comes second nature to Chinese shoppers, just like adding up sales tax and tips does to Americans.

6. 晾晒衣物：晾干VS烘干

Drying Your Clothes

中国人晾衣服仍很传统，他们一般把衣服晾在室内或阳台的晾衣架上。中国人认为这种方式既健康又节约空间，而美国人则不这么想。在美国，几乎每个家庭都配备洗衣机和烘干机，乡村也不例外。并且美国的便利店里都售卖可加入烘干机的留香去渍产品。因为美国人钟意烘干机的烘干速度和效率，他们认为烘干机省时省力省空间，还能烘干出柔顺芳香的衣物。

In China, the process of drying clothes has remained a traditional task. Most Chinese will dry their clothes on a rack either inside their home or on a balcony. A belief that this is a healthy and space saving option means that the American alternative is not likely to catch on anytime soon. In nearly every American household however, you will find a washing machine and dryer. Even in rural settings, the average American loves the speed and efficiency of using the clothes dryer. Stores in America are filled with products added to the dryer to enhance the smell and stain resistance of laundry. Americans believe that a dryer is worth the extra space and electricity it uses because of the warm, fresh smelling clothes it produces with speed and ease.

7. 家务劳动：家政服务VS 分工合作

Household Chores

在美国，每个家庭成员都有保持房间整洁和做家务的义务。在一些美国人看来，请家政服务是一件奢侈甚至炫富的事儿。但是家政服务在中国则是一种文化常态。中国人觉得雇一个阿姨来帮忙洗盘子、叠衣服、做饭很平常。这也是中美家政服务价格差异悬殊的原因之一。一般说来，大多中国家庭都可承担请一个阿姨的费用，但在美国只有富人才请得起家政人员。

In America, families tend to split the household chores amongst themselves. Everyone in the home will be responsible for keeping things tidy and functioning. The idea of hiring someone to help with the everyday chores is seen as extravagant and even a little pretentious by some. In China however, household help is a cultural norm. Having an Ayi come by to wash dishes, fold clothes, and make meals is seen as just another part of life. This can be explained when we look at the price differences between America and China. In China, the average family can afford the services of an Ayi. In America however, only the affluent will spring for such a luxury.

8. 拜访家庭：换拖鞋VS 不换拖鞋

Slippers

在中国的文化习惯里，人们在家更喜欢穿拖鞋来保持室内整洁。所以，假如你去中国家庭做客，主人大多会提供拖鞋给你。但这让美国人很难适应。通常，当你拜访美国家庭时无需换拖鞋，因为美国文化里并不在意你穿鞋与否。这一差异也反映出中美文化的不同。

As anyone who lives in a Chinese city will tell you, the streets are a dirty place. Even dogs out on walks will wear booties to keep their paws clean. It’s no surprise therefore that Chinese people prefer wearing slippers in their homes. Most homes you visit in China will offer you a pair of slippers upon entering. This may take a little bit of getting used to for Americans. Typically, when you visit a home in America you will leave your shoes on while visiting. If you do take them off, you will most likely not be offered a pair of slippers. This difference is both a matter of cleanliness and of cultural ideas of respect. Americans will not be offended if you keep your shoes on since this is not part of their culture.

9. 抚养方式：开裆裤VS 纸尿裤

Diapers

外国人都搞不懂中国宝宝开裆裤的奥秘。美国宝宝使用纸尿裤相当普遍，从出生到宝宝能自理，他们都会穿一次性纸尿裤。美国人觉得这种方式既方便又卫生，但中国人有自己的说道。中国人认为宝宝穿开裆裤会更透气舒服，更利于宝宝的生长发育。即使这种“衣冠不整”的行为会让美国游客颇感震惊，但中国人仍认为这是一种自然、卫生、便利的抚养方式。

One of the first things many expats in China tend to comment on are the spilt-pants worn by Chinese babies. In American culture, diapers are the unrivaled norm. Babies wear cloth or disposable diapers from birth until they are potty-trained. While Americans view this as convenient and sanitary, the Chinese alternative has it’s own merits. Chinese babies become more aware of their bodily functions through the process of wearing split pants. Though the idea of exposing the public to the bathroom habits of your child may shock American visitors, the Chinese view their way as natural, clean, and efficient.

互动时间

如果你曾遇到其他的文化差异情况，欢迎在评论区和我们分享互动！

Can you think of any others that you have encountered? Share your cultural comparisons in the comments section.

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关于作者 About Writter

Cheyanne Lovellette (美)，独立撰稿人，博主。

英语教育学硕士，已在沈阳生活半年的时间。

Cheyanne Lovellette, a freelance writer and blogger.

From the United States.

Lived in Shenyang for half a year now.

MA in Teahching English.

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插画作者：王刚

Ilustrations From Gang Wang

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