Rose, rose, I love you, with a loving heart

Rose, rose, I love you, it's time for us to part

East is East and West is West, our lives are wide apart

Standing on the jetty as the steamer moves away,
Flower of Malaya, I cannot stay.

... from Frankie Laine's version of Meigui Meigui by Wu Cun

 

"Why do they do this?  It doesn't make sense," is a frequent complaint of the exasperated foreigner. For the non-tourist who plans to live in a country such as China or India for some time, intrigue and excitement quickly yield to harsh realities of survival in an unfamiliar world. Strange habits, beliefs, and surroundings baffle their senses and reason. Genuine and intense as the hardship is, the distress is nevertheless evidence of unpreparedness resulting from incomplete knowledge of their commitment, incorrect expectation of a culture different from their own, and a miscalculation of their ability to thrive in an unfamiliar surrounding. (The reverse - struggles of an Asian moving to the West - is equally distressing, cushioned only by the awe many hold for the economic and political might of the developed West that enhances their willingness to accept their "strange" ways.)

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Living in a foreign culture is not for everyone. One must either be the curious and adventurous sort that can ride through the new and unusual with excitement, or the sort that, for a purpose, is able to withstand the difficulties without adverse consequences.  The latter group is likely to be interested in learning about the place, its customs, etiquette, and other matters of practical significance - just sufficient to make life possible.  The former, on the other hand, is likely to explore the place and people deeper, seeking knowledge or experience beyond the demands of survival.

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Both these groups can benefit from the information and resources provided in this site. Language tools, culture notes, and country information will be useful for practical living, while the sections with historical and cultural material will help those interested to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of China. 

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