Starting your teaching journey in China is an exciting adventure, but it can feel like stepping into a completely different world. As a foreign teacher, you’ll quickly notice the cultural differences between China and the West, from the way people interact to the values they hold dear. In this article, we’ll walk you through 10 key cultural contrasts that might surprise you, helping you adjust to life and work in China with ease.
Drinking Hot Water
In China, it’s common for people to drink plain hot water on the regular. The Chinese believe hot water has magic healing powers as a cure-all super remedy. While most would agree drinking plenty of water is healthy, the Chinese take it a step further – it’s gotta be hot. One possible reason for this hot water habit is that tap water in China is not considered safe to drink directly.
Blending In > Standing Out
Street view in China
Privacy in China vs. the West
In China, asking about someone’s age, relationship status, or income isn’t as taboo as in the West. In schools, students might ask questions that Western cultures consider too personal, but it’s because they’re genuinely curious about you and your culture. Another difference is that people in China tend to stand closer and have less defined personal boundaries than the West.
Family Over Everything
Sure, family matters in the West. But in China and many Asian cultures, family ties take priority above almost anything else in life. In traditional Chinese families, elders are highly respected and often live with their children and grandchildren in multi-generational households rather than being sent to nursing homes, which is very different from America, where there are many retirement homes, including the popular destination of Florida.
Saving Face at Any Cost
Maintaining public dignity and “saving face” is extremely important in Chinese culture. Direct criticism, especially in front of others, is avoided as it can cause embarrassment and loss of “face.” Preemptively avoiding any potential loss of face is almost the priority. If a situation risks making you look silly or unsuccessful, some people may prefer avoiding it entirely – even at the expense of their jobs, finances, or relationships.
Education = Life's Top Priority
Chinese Classroom
In China, education takes top priority. Students there typically have limited time for extracurriculars like sports or hobbies because they focus more on studying. Schools emphasize textbooks and frequent exams, with many students attending extra classes and receiving private tutoring after school rather than spending time with friends.
Teacher-Student Relationships
The teacher-student relationship in China is more formal compared to many Western countries. Most Chinese students view teachers as authority figures who deserve high respect. And they tend to be more reserved in classroom settings than their Western peers. They may be reluctant to ask questions, challenge the teacher, or voice disagreement – behaviors that could be seen as disrespectful.
Conservative Values
Chinese values tend to be more conservative, especially when it comes to dating and premarital sex, which differs from Western norms. Most people in China typically dress more conservatively in everyday life. While these things are starting to change in some big cities like Shanghai, conservative views and values remain the mainstream.
Honoring Ancestral Roots
People sweep graves during Qingming Festival
In China, there are significant cultural differences between China and the West when it comes to honoring ancestors. Every year, during the Qingming Festival, families visit the burial sites of their ancestors to honor and remember them. It’s also common for people to trace their family roots all the way back to their great-grandparents, which shows the importance of family history in Chinese culture.
More Pragmatic Friendships
Friendships in China are based on more pragmatic reasons than in the West. Most Chinese people will not go out and make friends with people they meet on the street or at a coffee shop. Instead, their friendships often form through shared experiences, like being classmates or from mutual advantages.
