Americanism in China

Chinese people are all amateur anthropologists and sociologists, asking foreigners about their homeland, then comparing the culture to their own. For Americans, questions are endless about the food we eat, the size of our families, the cost of things, our salaries, people's body shapes, our noses, hair, butts, common views of dating and sex, the battle and or equality or the sexes, and about our politics, our war, and our Idiot president (they are always more polite than that).

Certainly this stems from a natural curiosity, friendliness, and a strong sense of Chinese culture. Also because it is hard for Chinese to travel abroad and this may be the best way for them to get ideas about the outside world (Incidentally, in the spirit of education about other cultures, I've been informally asked give a lecture series at the University of Hunan on Jewish culture and history, I suppose in Changsha, a Jew is the closest thing they have to a Jewish Scholar. Not sure if it will happen, but if it does, my first lecture will begin with "thank you for coming, I am going to tell you how the Jews became the smartest and wealthiest race in the entire world").

Certainly the questions and analysis are guided by Chinese looking to their own future and imagining if that can happen in China. For many, America as model, despite their current political issues between the countries, which also come up (mostly Taiwan and tariffs USA uses for human rights issues). I can certainly see America is coming to China in the form of stuff- gated communities, malls, Walmart, CK, and Polo. (Some of the companies are angry at China for not enforcing copyright laws, but in the end, they can't deal without the potential market of hundreds of millions of people). China currently is very modern and in Changsha, I was very surprised how I can pretty much get anything I can in NYC, except for good pizza. A spectacular sight is the construction of a mall called Rodeo Drive in a relatively rural suburb or Changsha, completely supplied with an Abercrombie and Finch store.

Interestingly though, they don't have that many American TV shows, from what I understand. Friends and American Idol are very popular, but reality TV has not yet hit the scene (although I told my translator about the Apprentice, and he now watches it online and is very excited because it is a show that can also teach you about business). A Chinese show called "Bejingers in New York" is also a popular way to find out that shoes cost $300 in New York."

China is huge, and largely divided form the rest of the world and itself through very high mountains. This has for thousands of years created a divide with the rest of the world, but the young generation is very open to new ideas like never before. A very exciting time to be here and see how it develops, as it feels like the whole world is watching as well. Hopefully, America has much good stuff to offer, and hopefully China will take it along with the other stuff.