Cultural Awareness

I hope you all enjoyed traveling around the vast country of China with me! But now it’s time to say “Zia Jian” as we leave this marvelous country and head off to our next destination!

Next stop, BRAZIL!

Ola bonitos do Brasil! 

The Cheongsam came around after the Manchu takeover of China in the Qing Dynasty. The Cheongsam, literally translated from the Cantonese dialect as “long shirt” is a tight-fitting one-piece female dress made popular in the 1920’s Shanghai by socialites and upperclass women. 

The male version, known as the Changshang (which is also translated to mean “long shirt” but because it is in the Mandarin dialect, refers to the male garment).

The most traditional, and oldest clothing worn by the Chinese is the Hanfu. Similar to the Japanese kimono, the Hanfu, or Chinese Silk Robe, is the historical dress of the Han Dynasty Chinese.

The Hanfu can be used to identify class and social standing in society. The longer the sleeves, and the more decorative the silk fabric, the wealthier the wearer. 

The male version of the Hanfu is less colorful and decorative, but is still luxurious with its silk fabrics. 

The most gorgeous Hanfu a woman will wear in her lifetime is her wedding Hanfu, which is so decorative that it almost rivals that of the Empress’ daily dress. 

Tea drinking originated in China, and is a popular drink for good health or simple pleasure. There are actually many different varieties of tea, and they all have their own purposes. The most popular tea is green tea, which is associated with reducing heart disease and is a more potent antioxidant than black tea. 

Another famous Chinese tea is Oolong tea, which means “Black Dragon Tea”. It is well-known for its effect on the prevention of obesity, and an active contribution in weight loss. It also prolongs and improves vitality and lifespan and reduces high blood pressure. Strengthening teeth and preventing tooth decay is another effect of drinking Oolong tea, and can also relieve physical and mental stress. It is also known to treat skin diseases such as rashes and eczema. 

Tea, which also contains the chemical, caffeine, is a healthier alternative to coffee for all you people who stay up studying! So many health benefits, and just from drinking at least a cup a day!

China’s cuisine comes from all different parts of the vast country. The regional differences is what makes Chinese cuisine so diverse. Dim sum originated from Hong Kong, and is a Cantonese term for small hearty dishes. Translated literally, it means “touch your heart”. 

The most iconic way of serving dim sum is when “waitresses” push around the already cooked and ready-to-serve dishes in carts. Click the link below to listen about what guys think of their dim sum girls~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVGZ8-nJR44

Going to eat dim sum is usually referred to as “yum cha” (drink tea) as tea is usually served with the meal. Click on the link below to see what the atmosphere is like. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSBZ5EJqmw8

Okay so hopefully you had a good laugh from the videos. Personally, my favorite thing to eat at dim sum are the shrimp dumplings and shrimp rice noodles! 

What do you like to eat when you go “yum cha”? 

Chinese prefer to entertain their guests in public places rather than in their homes. If you are invited to their house, consider it a great honor. 

• If you must decline, it is considered polite to explain your schedule conflict to avoid your actions being taken as an offensive slight. 
• Arrive on time. 
• It is considered customary to remove your shoes before entering the house and bringing a small gift for the host/hostess.

These are also some basic table manners:

• Wait to be seated by the host. The guest of honor is usually given a seat facing the door. 
• Foreigners should learn how to use chopsticks, and they should be returned to the chopstick rest when stopping to speak or drink.
• The host eats first and also offers the first toast. As the guest, you should try everything that is offered, and you should not eat the last piece from the serving tray. 
• Slurping or belching noises are considered a sign that the person is enjoying their food. Eating well also demonstrates that you are enjoying the food. 

When giving a gift to a Chinese person, there are certain rules to abide by as to avoid unintentionally offending the receiver. 

• In general, gifts are given during Chinese New Year, weddings, and at the birth of a new child. Recently, because of marketing, gifts are also given during birthdays. 
• The Chinese like food. Food/fruit baskets are usually greatly appreciated gifts. 
• Do NOT give gifts of scissors, knives, or other cutting utensils, as they indicate the severing of the relationship. 
• Clocks, handkerchiefs, straw sandals, and flowers are most commonly associated with death and funerals. 
• Chinese do not like wrapping gifts in blue, white, or black. 
• Giving gifts in quantities of 4 represent wishing bad luck, and giving gifts in quantities of 8 represent wishing good luck. 
• Always present gifts with two hands, and gifts are not opened when they are received or while the gift-giver is still present. 
• And depending on your relationship with the gift-giver, a gift may be refused up to 3 times before accepting. 

When meeting another person for the first time, these basic manners are usually considered polite by the Chinese: 

• Their greetings are formal, and the oldest person is always greeted first as a sign of respect. 
• When meeting foreigners, a handshake is the most commonly used form of greeting. 
• Many Chinese will look towards the ground when greeting someone. (As to why, I am not quite sure…) 
• The person should be addressed by an honorific title and their surname (for example, Professor Tseng, Dr. Lao, etc.) If they want to move to a first-name basis, they will advise you which name to use. 
• The Chinese have a terrific sense of humor. If they have a comfortable relationship with the other person, they will readily laugh at themselves given the proper circumstances. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful, fun, and relaxing summer and enjoyed the first week back in our lovely Santa Barbara! The next few weeks are going to PACKED with fun-filled rush events, so let’s have fun and start the school year off right! Rush hard everyone! 

♥ Your Cultural Chair