Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stevemcgarrett]

Actually, let me rephrase the question with a qualifier:

In your opinion, do MANY East Asians really believe they're superior to Westerners? If so, in what ways? Intellectually? Culturally? Socially?

I'm not throwing this out as so much red meat troll bait. I've often been genuinely troubled by this very question, especially since a friend, who is well-versed in East Asian culture, insisted that it is so.

Of course, we know if we're intellectually honest that many (perhaps most) Westerners regard themselves as superior to East Asians, if not culturally than at least technologically. Said articulated this subconscious contempt in his seminal work on Orientalism decades ago.

But could the perception of the reverse (a form of Occidentalism) also hold sway? In my estimation, at least, it's an intriguing if not compelling question.

So what's your hunch? And remember I'm referring specifically and/or collectively to Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese here.

[VanIslander]

a hunch...

in terms of intellect, they do better at math and science

in terms of culture, they pre-date America

in terms of society, they have more cohesion and family values

[Rteacher]

Western culture's strength - epitomized by the U.S.A. - has been its ability to develop materially in a relatively first class way. The strong point of eastern culture - most notably India - is philosophical wisdom regarding the purpose of life.
Especially now that many educated Americans are more impressed by materialistic science than sentimental religion (many of whose leaders are seen to be more sectarian and political than spiritual...) there's a real need for western-style progress - so much imitated throughout the world - to be informed by the harmonizing philosophy of ancient Indian/Vedic culture...

An example of the philosophical depth of India's Vaishnava tradition can be found in the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - whose appearance day was observed by millions of bhakti yogis (including your's truly - who fasted till moonrise...)
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/03-07/features579.htm
http://www.salagram.net/parishad43.htm

By the way, my current avatar picture is a deity photo of Lord Chaitanya - aka the "Golden Avatar" ...
http://www.prabhupadaconnect.com/Deities63.html

[Demophobe]

[Grimalkin]

[stevemcgarrett]

Rteacher:

[hairy sue]

[djsmnc]

They're only better at politeness.

Westerners innovate, develop, and conquer.

[Boodleheimer]

[Hollywoodaction]

[mnhnhyouh]

[thepeel]

My two cents,

America is not the West, but is part of the West. If we want to talk of Western culture and Asian culture, you have to take into account actual history. You know, like, Greece, Rome etc etc AND ancient China, Japan, Thailand etc etc. Also, the term "West" can only be used to Characterize our recent history, as there was precious little consistency between those nations now considered "Western" only a few hundred years ago. It isn't like our civilization just appeared out of thin air when the Euros landed in America.

To the OP, the answer is yes, kind of. Not to move this beyond our emotional opinions to far, but if you are interested in this subject you should look at Lee Kwan Yew's concept of "Asian values", the "Asian Superman" and the supremacy of these concepts towards all others. Though, these concepts were in reality just cover for totalitarian systems.. The point was to make Asians feel it inherently "Asian" to submit to central authority. Fortunately, the Asian financial crises shut up most of the blow hards who advocated that.

The Chinese are taught a very supremacist history/sociology. But not just in relation to the West, but even other Asian states/cultures such as Japan (duh), Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, India and well, all of the rest. Even the term "mainland" smacks of supremacism. The Chinese system trys very hard to create an ethnic solidarity that finds in her center the communist party. Maybe some of the posters here who have lived in China can comment on how successful it has been. My personal experience with the mainlanders is that they (or us) might as well be from Mars, as there are so few points of contract, Truth-wise, between them and us.

Lastly, don't worry about it. I think the OP is American.. My experience with East Asians is that they tend to be much less hosile towards Americans than, say, Europeans or Latin Americans (or Canadians!). My own informed suspicion is that most people here in Asia have a deep respect for the achievements of Western societies, and feel embarrassment at their current situations and also hope for their future.

[thepeel]

[Vancouver]

some do, some don't. I think the ones that do are more likely to be the ones that grew up in the west, or at least, Canada and America

[yingwenlaoshi]

Yes. It makes them feel better when they know, after a hard days work, that they will eventually have to climb back up in their trees.