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Americans & Asians

Asians, Americans Show Perceptual Divide

AP - Asians and North Americans really do see the world differently. Shown a photograph, North American students of European background paid more attention to the object in the foreground of a scene, while students from China spent more time studying the background and taking in the whole scene, according to University of Michigan researchers.
Ref. https://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...different_views

Asians and Americans

I think what this study really shows is the selfishness of the western world. We have been raised to worry about yourself first, then worry about others. We tend to see situations in a light of how they will effect our person instead of how it will effect our surroundings and everyone in those surroundings. Ultimately, for the majority of people, gas guzzling SUV's are only a problem now because gas prices are high, not because they are bad for the environment. Its an excellent example of how we view our well being and comfort above all else in general as a western culture. Most eastern countries are raised with extended families so you view the families well being as a whole instead of the individual comfort first.

Americans & Asians Reviews Consumer & Travel Family Culture

^^;;
I can offer an good explanation base upon my own experience being an Asian international student.
In Asia, especially Korea, children are not treated quite as nicely. We are much forced to be excellent in artistic subjects and have spend much time as student developing backgrounds as a section.
It does not really have to do with selfishness I don't think, as China is the selfishness capitol of the world. ^^;; It is merely the fact we are trained to perfection, wether we like and accept this or not.

Asians and Americans

I tend to agree with konquererz, I think western civilisations are generally more selfish and consumed with their own lives.

I know in Malaysia when I visit my family, it is a much warmer community feeling. People are far less worried by consumerism or nice material things and more concerned about each other.

Asians and Americans

Is it really selfishness that causes this difference in perspective? Or are we really trying to say it is cultural? People in the US take things for face value; a spade is a spade. Maybe Asian people view things from a 'whole' perspective. They see the bigger picture than what is staring them in the face. I don't know the answer, but I wouldn't be so quick to label people in the US as completely selfish. There are a lot of family values, patriotism, compassion and togetherness here. When natural disasters hit our country, we have witnessed many groups coming together, lending a hand, regardless of race, sex, religion or creed. I take offense a lot of times when people regard us as 'selfish' and 'self-centered'. I think that is a false generality that is too easily branded on US citizens, all too often.

Americans & Asians

I am not labelling people in the US as selfish at all. What I am saying, from my experience, is that Western cultures tend to be more selfish than Eastern cultures. This is largely because they are inherently wealthier and enjoy greater freedom. By selfish, I mean they are motivated more by personal wealth than collective wealth.

From my experience, I find that the family unit tends to be very close-knit in Asian cultures. This is similar to some European cultures. An example of this is that the extended family will live together in one house and look after their elderly instead of shipping them off to a nursing home. I know this happens in Western families too, but I have experienced it far less frequently. In Australia the kids usually leave the family home in their 20s as I did.

However change is certainly happening in Asia. I have sadly noticed this with my mother's very large family. As people become wealthy they tend to be more motivated by greed. I"m not saying this is a bad thing at all, it is just my observation.

Offtopic but, I don't think Americans are selfish at all. But I think you guys generally are a bit more insular than people in other countries. By this I mean you are less concerned or informed about international affairs than domestic affairs. I don't know why I have noticed this more in Americans? But obviously, as this community suggests, there are a lot of Americans who do take an interest and are informed about the world. All my comments here are purely observations from people who I have met.

Americans & Asians

Arvhic, I did not make my comments to be directed at you specifically, or Konq for that matter. It really was just a general comment. I do agree with you in that Eastern cultures are more family-oriented. However, I don't believe that equates to being selfish, or even self-centered. I think it is more a culture difference. I guess I was just tired of hearing anti-US sentiments and had to vent somewhere. Didn't mean to take it out on you folks here, especially you Arvhic.