After I left China, I deeply felt the difference between myself and foreigners in various aspects. I grew up in traditional Chinese culture since I was a child, and the elderly in my family are also very traditional people. In such an environment, I have a deep feeling for traditional Chinese culture. When I come to London, I often recall my life in China.
Luckily, during the communication with Trudi, Dominic, Gemma, and many others in UAL, I started to take all the differences as usual.
The first is the interpersonal relationship. I have to choose to get together or keep independence. Chinese like to sit together, chat, play, and do any other things. There is a feeling of warmth and prosperity. However, in Britain, we emphasize individual independence. Everyone is an independent individual and does not like to have too many relationships with others. There will not be too many intersections in the neighborhood. People seem not as enthusiastic as the Chinese. Thus, in the beginning, without the everyday greetings and laughter of neighbors, I was not very comfortable with life here.
Second, whether criticism or retention. Chinese is subject to criticism and evaluation, and many like to evaluate and criticize others, maybe not in front of the talked one. Whether it is good or bad, we will inevitably receive some evaluation. Everything that happens will be moralized, and there will be a lot of moral kidnappings, which I do not like. But here in London, we have an attitude of “not easy to judge.” We do not complain and trouble others and do not force others to agree with our views.
The last is about rules. In China, people often break the rules. I am helpless and choose to accept even it is a fault. But in London, it will not work, and it will be greatly condemned.
In all, Chinese traditional culture has a greater impact on me, while new western thinking is also attractive. When taking the effects of thinking into the design, the works would be different, more or less.