SUMMER PROJECT: If you have been watching the Olympics as obsessively as I have over the past week and a half, you've probably lost out on a lot of sleep, staying up until all hours of the night just to catch the latest news on Michael Phelps, Shawn Johnson and all the other Olympians.
Prior to the opening ceremony, Chinese citizens living in Beijing received a book telling them how to behave when the throngs of foreign guests arrived for the Olympics. Here's a link to an article about the code of behavior the Chinese were expected to observe:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/31/beijing-issues-style-guid_n_116041.html
Questions to ponder:
Why would the city government in Beijing care so much about how its citizens act in front of foreign visitors?
How do you think Americans would react if our government tried to do the same thing? Would we react differently than the Chinese people? If so, why?
Comment on any of the behavior rules discussed in the article.
17 comments:
All I can say is that they have one controlling government. In a way this is one in a life time chance for the Chinese people so they want to make a good impression. If you think about it some of the things they are telling them to do makes a lot of sense like not wearing your pj's in public that is some thing that I just don't understand you look like a slob that just got out of bed and you don't care what you look like. Another thing that I agree with is not to be asking all kinds of personal question to people you don't know that is just respectful. If our government was to issue something like that to our people they would just laugh because we live in a democracy. We wouldn't listen because that is not how our country is ran. If we lived in China that would be different because the Chinese have to listen to the government or they could and probably would arrest them.
Wow we are so lucky to live in America under a democratic government! I feel so bad for the Chinese who have to obey these "rules" of etiquette. Ok for one thing if you want to wear your pajamas around in public go ahead. I mean honestly I don't think it looks good, but if you do, that's your opinion and you should be allowed to express it! A few weeks ago, before the games started, I heard about another Chinese attempt to clean the air for the athletes. They had a week of what they called "even and odd car day". On even car day you could only drive your car if the license plate ended in an even number, and vise versa on odd car day. I know that they really went all out to show hospitality for the Olympics but geez! The sad thing is China is a communist country so the people can't do anything about it. Sure it makes a good impression for the athletes, but aren't you supposed to learn your manners in preschool and not as an adult? I thought you were supposed to be polite and not ask questions like "How much do you weigh?" just to have good manners, but I guess I was wrong. All I have left to say is just be happy and grateful you live in America and not China!...Even if the drinking age is 21 here.
-Jenny Burdock
Of course the city government in Beijing cares about their image! An olympic gold medalist is the epitemy of honor, manners, sportsmanship, and everything that goes along with being a champion. China always does well in the olympics, so, naturally, they want to show off that same sense of pride within their city. I read somewhere that the Chinese are naturally a bit nosey, and they ask a lot of "in-your-face" questions. I think it's good that they were warned not to do this to Americans (and others)- many of us would be offended. This makes everyone get along better, and gives China a better reputation among the rest of the world.
Under normal conditions, I think Americans would be angry if we were told how to act. However, with all the excitement of the upcoming olympics, I think most would make an exception. It's easy to give up a few things, like wearing pajamas in the streets, in exchange for hosting the world's greatest athletic competition.
Good comments, ladies. Could the Chinese acceptance of these rules be related to the fact that their culture is much more collectivist oriented? This means that the good of the many is more important than the good of the individual. In contrast, in the U.S., we're a much more individualistic culture; that is, individual rights are far more important to us than what is best for everyone as a whole. This would explain why we would be so angry if our government tried to impose such a behavior code on us. Do you agree with this analysis? Why or why not?
This really isn't very fair to the Chinese people. I understand that the government wants to make a good impression on its visitors, but I think they could do it in a fairer way than changing everybodies way of life. I think they really want to impress the visitors to their country and show that everyone in the country is well dressed and polite. I don't think this would go over well in our country at all. The people would protest this and it would probably end up getting blown off by everybody. The Chinese have grown up being oppressed their whole lives so it seems that even if they think something is stupid they go along with it. That doesn't happen in the U.S.. If we don't like something we say so and we try to get it changed. I thought the fact that they have to have their feet facing a certain way when they are standing was really stupid. Most people don't pay attention to the position a persons feet are in, so this seemed incredibly pointless to me.
~J.Close
The Beijing government is laying out these rules in order to look good. In any competition, especially the Olympics, it is always important to look like the best. Although these rules look outrageous to Americans, to the Chinese this is probably standard. They are used to having a structured government rather than one that allows you to do basically whatever you want. I think that if the United States government ever issued anything like this, it would go up in flames, literally. It would probably be burned and laughed at. Americans typically don't like the idea of being controlled even if it is for the common good. There's nothing wrong with that, just two different societies.
I basically agree with what the Chinese government asks. I think most of it is out of pure respect for others. The V and Y standing positions might be stretching it a little far, but if there is as much improvement as they are saying, I say more power to them.
-Katie Spriggs
What the Beijing government did was GREAT. They prepared well in advance so as to minimize clashing between nations and told their people what to behave like as well as how they would be treated. If such a thing were to happen in America I think most people would immediately throw the book under their beds and never find it. The fact that the people of Beijjing took the book and followed its instructions shows that they want the olympics to go smoothly and without a hitch.
ABOVE COMMENT BY ZACK SOLOMON
I think the day of patience on the 11th of each month has really paid off for the Chinese people. From the sounds of the article, the Chinese really take all the points of their pamphlets into consideration. Of course Beijing would care about how their culture was portrayed by the world. Being a good sport and even winning an olympic medal is considered very honorable in China. China cares much more about respect and honor than any other country that I know of. To take the time to prepare their citizens years ahead of the olympics shows great cooperation between the government and the people. I know Americans would react much more differently-especially the community of Berkeley Springs. Americans have enjoyed a free society for so long that they hate to be told what to do. I know I would feel the same way if government officials were to hand me a pamphlet on how to behave I would be a little irritated just because they think we dont know how to behave. This article just goes to show that China has very patient and cooperative citizens.
above comment by Rachel Shambaugh
I really respect the Beijing government for passing these etiquette rules and manners! Though some may believe that they went a bit far, it’s all in the name of hospitality! The way I see it, Beijing is really benefiting from having the Olympics, so why not make it as nice as possible for people! Let’s also think about the millions of people watching the Olympics from home. When they see how nice and hospitable these people are, maybe they will want to visit Beijing too, increasing tourism for years to come! Finally, I’d like to know how this circumstance is any different to when Senator Rockefeller visited BSHS several years ago, and the students were told not to wear pajamas. It’s simply a sign of respect. Maybe Berkeley Springs needs to take a lesson from these people! All you have to do is visit our state park in town to see where the employees have had to fix where kids have spray painted profanity, broken windows and handrails, and not to mention the foul language you hear teens using around little kids in the “run” and pool. Is this the message we wish to send our visitors?
- Jenna Hansroth
Hello Mrs. Stotler!
I think that this is terrible, but that is the way life has always been for the chinese. Since they are a communist country the governement has always has a tremendous amount of control over them. They regulate most of the housing in the cities, most jobs are for the government, etc. In the United States no one would obey the pamphlet, we founded our country on freedom. Freedom of speech and religion and the right to wear what we want. Isn't that the great part about our country the diversity and culture of our people.
I agree with Trump in this matter. There was a big controvery with the Olympics being held in China due to their side on human rights, and their friendship to some of the visiting countries. So, the city cares so much about their country because the chinese are known for their goverment and their part in human rights, and they figure that the citizens need to act well and behave. This all ties into the human rights issues. If they wern't so controlling of their citizens they wouldn't of given them the rules. The United States isnt so controlling of their citizens therefore we dont need a book telling us how to act.
If we were given a rule book on how to behave I think that there would be a lot of contoversy!!! People would compare our goverment to China's, but i think that they would just ignore the book and go about the Olympics! It only happens every 4 years.
-Rickli
I think the Chinese government was right and wrong. I think the people should have the good manners and the good appearance in public. But I don't think they should have the power to tell the people what to wear. The way I would react is I would do what they said because they are my government and God put them there for a reason.
I feel that it goes way to far. I mean its one thing to tell someone how to respect another country but to tell them what color clothing to wear is absurd. Manners are really important when it comes to representing their county. I don't fell it is wrong that they educated people on how to be polite when cheering and not to be rude to another team. I just can't get over the fact that they told people what to wear. They can dress themselves. I can't stand it when people walk around looking odd or dressing in pajamas out in public but I would never tell them not to. It is their right to wear what they wear. Yes, they would look much more presentable to other nations but it almost makes it seem like they want to cover stuff up. "The level of civility of the whole city has improved and a sound cultural and social environment has been assured for the success of the Beijing Olympic Games," How is it actually their culture if it is being improved upon when visitors should actually see what it is like there. This makes me think of another scandal at the games in the opening ceremony those little kids parading around dressed to represent all of the different groups in China were actually only from the most prominet ethnic group. They didn't use kids from the ethnic groups that they were representing. And lets not forget about the little girl who was lip singing because the actual singer wasn't pretty enough. The Chinese are too worried about their appearances. I do not feel that everyone in America would tolerate such rules. I certainly won't be told what color socks to wear.
I don't think that the Chinese should try and stop their citizens from doing things that aren't illegal. They really shouldn't try to dress their citizens.
Above comment by J Fox
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