The design of cultural differences

Exploring cultural diversity is one of the fun things about living away from one’s homeland. I stumbled across this graphic depiction of cultural differences between Germans and Chinese and found it non-judgmental and insightful.

As an American, I probably have more innate cultural similarity to Germans than to Chinese. But if you’re like me, you’ll look through these images and find a mix of things appealing from both cultures. Look for instance at number 19 (children). Chinese put children in the middle; Germans have them off to the side. Or the Chinese attitude toward rain (happy) and shine (happy).

Then there’s No. 10 – the volume at which we speak in restaurants. It strikes me that the gregariousness of Chinese is similar to Americans, and that among Americans and Northeast Asians, we (Americans) are more similar to Chinese than anyone else.

Enough said. Look at the images. Germans are the blue side, Chinese the red:

1) Complaints (or suggestions)

2) lifestyle

3) punctuality

4) human network

5) attitudes toward anger

6) standing in line

7) ego

8) streets on Sundays

9) parties

10) in restaurants (decibels)

11) standard of aesthetic beauty (tan level)

12) problem solving

13) three meals a day (hot or cold)

14) transportation preferences (1970 and present)

15) daily life

16) time of showers

17) mood and weather

18) view of superiors

19) children

Comments

[davesgonechina]

The artist is named Liu Yang, and there's a bunch of others in the series not included here.

[nanheyangrouchuan]

Seems consistent, was this a study or just art?

[Bjoern]

I think #19 means that in China, literally everything is centered around the child, while in Germany, children are "just" a part of the family (between the parents, with the grandparents on the side).

[Gareth BFG]

Spot on! Anyone who has spent time in China knows how exactly correct this is haha

[Matt Schiavenza]

Great stuff