by Violet Buckley

Created on: March 16, 2008   Last Updated: May 19, 2010

Differences between Asian and Western cultures.  I  can speak about the differences between the two cultures because I was born and raised in the Philippines, one of the countries in Asia and  I am also familiar with the Western culture because I am presently residing in the U.S. and I can see the differences in many ways.

Showing respect to the old people is one cultural values of the people in the Asian countries. In the Asian culture the young showed respect to the older folks by calling them uncle or auntie even if they are not related to them by blood as long as they are older, the young will not call them by their names. In western culture, the young people will just call the old ones by their names. I feel very uncomfortable hearing little kids calling the adults by their names. In our country, even the side walk vendors whom we do not know  who they are,  we still call them, ate, kuya, manong or manang as a sign of respect if they are older than us. In the Western culture, the sons and daughters in law just call their parents in law by their names. In the Asian culture sons and daughters in law call their parents in law the same as what their spouses call them.

Another difference is in Greeting a friend. In the Asian culture, they greet their friends by shaking hands or patting the shoulder. Western people hugged and kissed to greet their friends. They don't care whether men or women as long as they were friends, they will hug to greet each other when they meet. The Asian people don't hug and kiss to greet each other. Since they are conservative people, they considered it indecent  act  hugging their friends in the opposite gender.

Asian has close family ties. They love to stay together in one roof. Even if they are already married and have kids, their parents and other siblings will love stay with them . There are times that some relatives will join with them too. We call it extended family but they enjoyed living together. When parents and grand parents are already old, children and grand children will take care of them personally. They will not take them to the nursing homes. In western culture, older and sick people will be brought to the nursing homes under the care of the nurses and care givers. They have no time to take good care of their old people in their own homes. Some of my Asian friends said, they don't want to grow old in United States.

When it comes to hospitality, Asian culture is different particularly

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>