Strange Cultural Habits in China

What’s considered the norm in China, and any Eastern culture for that matter, may be considered odd to the average Westerner. China is a culture that has spent thousands of years developing largely outside of western influence. Historically, Chinese governments from the emperors in ancient times to the current Communist leadership have put much effort keeping out external influence. The construction of the Great Wall is an obvious example of these attempts. It is only recently that China has opened up to the ideas of western culture, particularly the economic ones.

China’s population is about 20% of the world’s population. At well over 1 billion people, the first observations many will make when first traveling to China are the masses of people wherever you are. Westerners may have to ring in their personal space requirements when visiting here because personal space is scarce.

Foot Binding

Historically, particular Chinese customs could be viewed as oppressive to women. One such custom, foot binding, is dangerous to natural development. Foot binding is related to how the Chinese traditionalists view the ideal image of a woman – one with narrow, pointed feet. These forced foot deformities were thought to be a sign of class, and a symbol of chastity. The feet of young Chinese girls are bound tightly – toes forced under the sole of the foot and, over time, are forced into smaller and smaller sized shoes. Gradually, the foot becomes deformed to where it forms a point. This practice is not dominant in China in the modern day. Public outcry over the practice started to come about towards the end of the 19^th century. Still, today there are over 1 million Chinese women living with feet deformed by the practice.

Feng Shui

Another custom the Chinese largely adapt that may seem obsessive to the Westerner is the habit of arranging objects into numerical categories. However, this practice has caught on with some westerners. The term, feng shui, is based upon the concept of Qi, which is the life energy believed to be present in living and non-living objects. Arrangement under feng shui is based upon an octagon. Each side of the octagon represents an element in life. The eight elements are career, knowledge, family, wealth, fame, marriage, children, and benefactors. It is thought by the Chinese that improper arrangement in any of the categories will result in an adverse effect in that aspect of life.

Another custom of the Chinese has to do with basic identification of the individual. Formal Chinese names appear in reverse to the western eye. The name has two parts, just as western names, but the first name is a family name (surname), and the second name is the given name. The family name always comes first. In western cultures we are addressed by our first names. This is not so in China. A child addressing an adult in China by their first name would expect a reprimand; strangers addressing each other in such a manner would be considered rude at least and probably judged to be an insult. Chinese people are largely identified with their families and are identified as such in public address and casual acquaintances. First names are only used within the immediate family and in relationships that have spent years in development. Chinese people are also identified with their profession. In a business relationship, an acquaintance would be known by their title and family name.

China’s culture is one of the most ancient and most unique. Travelling across this immense country the tourist is definitely going to run into some odd local customs not prevalent in the rest of the country. But isn’t that why we travel in the first place? We are seeking new experiences. Chinese culture is sure to provide them.