Stereotyping
For the majority of Chinese all foreigners are fascinating. They love learning about different cultures, places, customs and most of all, what they think of China.
They are still learning about foreign customs and cultures and sometimes fall into the trap of assuming all or most foreigners are the same. The term "Western" is used casually in the thought that European, North American and South American cultures are often the same and very similar.
This gross stereotyping adds to their massively (out of date?) image of other nationalities. They think London is still foggy and all Germans are super intelligent. Although it’s a very endearing imagine that they should still think of a romantic England, or France, or America, it is nevertheless badly out of date. So they are keen to learn more.
The inaccuracies of their statements are something to get used to – that said, it’s amazing how well-known historic figures are, such as Churchill, Newton and Shakespeare.
As for our view of China, well, no. Most Chinese do not know Kung Fu, many of them are definitely not short and not everyone likes rice(!). OK, perhaps the last one is true. 哈哈.
Notable Chinese figures you can mention and impress your new friends with include Lei Feng (pronounced‘ Ley Fung’- hero soldier who helped people), Sun Zhongshan (‘Sun Jungshan’- first post-dynastical leader), Li Bai (‘Lee-Bai’– poet who worked best when drunk!), Wang Xizhi(‘Wang Shijur’– ancient calligrapher) and of course, there’s Chairman Mao, or Mao Zedong, historic leader of the Republic.
Finally, Da Shan was a Canadian celebrity famous for his perfected Chinese and who fronted several Chinese language TV programmes.
