Differences between Asian and Western cultures are not as wide as they once were now that the world's people are all known to each other. Yet there are differences in language, in food, in art, in religion, as well great geographical distances.

Language:

Language, the means by which people connect with the thinking processes of others differs from region to region within countries. This is especially so with the language of China. Yet these many dialects did originate with the same root, the character of their writing being more a picture than a mere symbol. At least in the beginning of their language.

The Western languages having their origin in the Phoenician alphabet is different indeed. Yet the Chinese do not seem to have as much trouble learning our language as we have in learning theirs. Their written language puts ours to shame. We so admire their exquisite brush strokes and fancy lettering even when we have no clue as to what it means.

Art:

Art has always been a part of their written language. It is one of the reasons for our fascinations with yet strides are being made to understand and to bridge the gap from one to the other. It's the young people who are making the biggest strides. Language just naturally seems to be easier for them. Yet, it is in art that the vast differences in basic lifestyles is most celebrated and understood.

The Eastern style seems so precise and so planned and so patient. Proof of this in Japan'a simple yet profound art of flower arranging. It's as if they know and have known the magic of elusive beauty. Another example of this is in their perfected style of Poetry. We as Westerners love to imitate this style, yet do so badly, in most cases.

Religion:

From the very first religion has separated the east from the west. Coupled with their strange and different religious styles plus distance geography once it was thought east and west would never met. We have and both sides like what is seen. Together we now have more experiences, better understanding and a future that holds great promise.

Both are copy cats: we copy from them and they copy from us. Some of us like their religion and their methods of harmonious living best; some don't. And when we turn that thought around it equals out. They think, percentage wise, about us as we do about them. Yet with associations, blending takes place and doing so without our often realizing it.

Food:

The difference in food and in food preparation is vastly different in the east than in the west. But all this is changing. The Chinese students that study heres sample our fast food and our way of eating while introducing us to theirs. Sushi, the eating of raw fish is now such a delicacy here that just to talk about it has some Westerners salivating.

And their food and chain restaurants are favorites of Westerners everywhere. Go into any Chinese style eatery in this United States, and not counting the chefs and the waiters, all the people are Westerners. Or most of them are.
Their food and their eating habits are different form ours but there is blending of cuisine and this is certainly a good thing.

Geography:

Distance has always been a dividing factor between East and West. But with the ease of jet travel and the easy interchange of computers and other problem solving way to get East and West better acquainted, the distance in land miles is still far away, it only seems closer. And that's a fact both east and west can live with.

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