Is It Right For People To Force Western Culture, On People Of Their Own Country?

[Sugar&Spice]

Okay this might sound like a weird topic. But I was watching a documentry about Shanghi, and it showed how they keep building more and more, builings, resturants,etc. That bring alot of Western Culture into the city. Alot of the local hard working people, were complaining about this change, because they said that their country is turning into something unfamilar to them. Not only that but it is getting more exspensive because of the steady growing tourist sights. And this is happening all over the eastern side.

What I'm saying is that I don't think that it is fair to make people get used to a culture that is not their own. Yes the younger generation embraces, the Western culture, and alot of people(who can afford it.) like it. But I just don't think it is fair. And I was wondering what everyone elses thoughts were on this. And I know it might sound weird coming from a Westerner but I feel that if everyone trys to make their country like the Western Culture, then where is the beauty that comes form other countries culture?! Will it die out and become a duplicate of Western culture?! Or something worse?! Tell me what your thoughts are.

[khmerchef]

I understand what you're getting at. Most of my family is from Cambodia, and even though I always wish Cambodia wasn't so out-dated, so third world and more modernized, I see the scenery, and the beautiful country-side that is lacking Western modernizations. I appreciate the fact that there is still a world out there with little pollution, etc etc.

This is a tough subject to get on. There are pros and many cons to this situation.

The Pro's being:
**More job opportunities for locals
**Tourist attractions can put that certain area on the map
(Seems like the pro's all have something to do with money)

The Cons:
**Old cultures will have to adjust to fit into the now
**Many landscapes, and ancient architechture will be lost to make way for newer buildings.


I also don't want to see buildings, skyscrapers, and highways everywhere. If that is the case, then where will we go, if want to just get away. However, changes happen all the time. We can't really do anything, but to adapt and change with the times in order to survive. But what we really need is a balance between nature and technology. I don't want to have to depend on computers and technology for everything. It's like this book that I read said, "Too much technology could be a bad thing." We are so equipped and adapted to life of technological advances, that when there's a glitch and everything shuts down, the world in going to be in total chaos. :bleh: But, I'm getting off point here.

::Clears throat:: Now, back to the subject. I don't think it's right to force Western Culture.......but from reading your post. I don't think it's Western, but more of a Modern Culture. Sounds to me like, they're only building factories, dams, and other stuff to grow economically. Now, if they(whoever it is) are to force the traditional local folks to dress a certain way, convert to a certain religion, to change their culture and lifestyle to let's say something more Western, then that has crossed the line.

**Ooooh, I feel an essay coming on. I feel like writing thoughts, analysis, whatever I can think of on this subject.....yet I'm not in school anymore.:whistle:

[danny24]

i think a culture should grow in their own culture and not try it in the westen way if staying true to yourself is most important for a person why should it be any difrent for a whole culture you can have the big buildings and the technology cus you shouldnt say in the stone age but do it in the spirit of your culture and not try to copy western culture

[judes]

i agree with khmerchef. the updates and buildings don't seem to be "westernization" but more "modernization". i believe that everyone should have a basic standard of life with clean water and modern buildings and all of the amenities that we have in a "western" society.

of course i don't think that the "western" culture should be forced upon anyone, but i don't believe there is much of a western culture anymore because now a lot of places are multicultural and more a mix of various cultures instead of a set "western" culture that makes it distinct from everywhere else.

in taiwan for instance, there's a lot of skyscrapers and modern things like dams, lots more traffic, and the newly built metro in kaohsiung, but you still see temples in the midst of those buildings, you still have street markets and night markets and you still have people selling food in roadside stalls. all of those things that are distinct in that particular culture can coexist side by side with the supposed "modern intrusions" that will help raise everyone way of life. so it can be a good and a bad thing.

[cowboy]

Culture is more than stuff. The most important aspects of culture are the things we can't see. Culture controls the way we see the world, behave in society, and understand the world around us. You can put 50 McDonals on a city block, and that stuff won't change. What are french fries going to do to a 5000 year old culture? Hell, look at the US, with a culture only a few hundred years old. you have cultures from all over the world living there bringing thier "stuff", and yet the culture remains dinstinctly American. So China got a taste of materialization and has decided to embrace it with all of the greediness of a insaciable capitalist robber baron. So much for Communism, eh?

The original poster is worrying about nothing. Chinese culture will change, culture always changes, however, it won't change because of a few buildings. It will change gradulally over time, and a little at a time. Old people always get upset when things change, so this story is typical of nations all over the globe that are modernizing. A little TV and some cell phone, and all of a sudden the world looks a lot different than it used to. So what, what's on those Tvs are distinctly unique to that culture, and the languages used to communicate through those phones are unique to that country.

[Sugar&Spice]

Culture is more than stuff. The most important aspects of culture are the things we can't see. Culture controls the way we see the world, behave in society, and understand the world around us. You can put 50 McDonals on a city block, and that stuff won't change. What are french fries going to do to a 5000 year old culture? Hell, look at the US, with a culture only a few hundred years old. you have cultures from all over the world living there bringing thier "stuff", and yet the culture remains dinstinctly American. So China got a taste of materialization and has decided to embrace it with all of the greediness of a insaciable capitalist robber baron. So much for Communism, eh?

The original poster is worrying about nothing. Chinese culture will change, culture always changes, however, it won't change because of a few buildings. It will change gradulally over time, and a little at a time. Old people always get upset when things change, so this story is typical of nations all over the globe that are modernizing. A little TV and some cell phone, and all of a sudden the world looks a lot different than it used to. So what, what's on those Tvs are distinctly unique to that culture, and the languages used to communicate through those phones are unique to that country.

The original poster is worrying about nothing?! First of all, I never said I was worrying per se. I said it was not fair. Also, yes I mentioned that building were being built, etc. But there is more to it then that, along with the so-called modern-era. Then are fashioning everything off of western culture. They have the fashion magzines, and the surgery to look europen, the buildings are really the thing the sets off the whole fasude. And the buildings, and resturants, are not built in a way that still holds thier culture sacred. No it is to be as westernsed as possible. It is not the apprence of the city that changes the people. But the mental state, that comes with the new change.

You mentioned language?! I'm not sure if you are aware of this but. I love to study linguistics, and I have discovered that English is being incorparated into chinese, and a few other languages. So don't tell me about it being unique. You can try to fight it, but I suggest you don't do so unless you look it up first.

One thing I agree with, is the fact that culture controls the way we see things. That is elementry, everyone should be able to figure that out. But when that culture is being compramised because of greed. Then how do you see things huh?!

All that I'm saying, is that I don't think it is fair to , force people to change what they are used to. With all of the change, people are forced to live the way it is being imposed on them. What?! Older people don't matter?! Should their feelings be pushed aside, and ignored because people feel that they always complain.?! I don't think so. Also, I said hardworking people, there were a small amount of young ones in there to, complaining.

[cowboy]

All that I'm saying, is that I don't think it is fair to , force people to change what they are used to. With all of the change, people are forced to live the way it is being imposed on them. What?! Older people don't matter?! Should their feelings be pushed aside, and ignored because people feel that they always complain.?! I don't think so. Also, I said hardworking people, there were a small amount of young ones in there to, complaining.

If you are talking about China, things being forced upon the Chinese people by the CCP is nothing new. Since its rise to power the CCP has done a lot of things far worse than "forcing" them to eat french fries. The major changes to traditional Chinese culture that have taken place under the CCP were intentional, and no its not fair or even right. The CCP, like all totalitarian regimes in modern history, has tried to do everything to remove traditional culture from the hearts and minds of the people, and yet try to leave just enough for the tourists. For this, your gripe and concerns are with the Communist Pary, not Western culture. Western culture and influence is administered voluntarily, only an authoritian government can force anything like culture upon its people.

[Sugar&Spice]

If you are talking about China, things being forced upon the Chinese people by the CCP is nothing new. Since its rise to power the CCP has done a lot of things far worse than "forcing" them to eat french fries. The major changes to traditional Chinese culture that have taken place under the CCP were intentional, and no its not fair or even right. The CCP, like all totalitarian regimes in modern history, has tried to do everything to remove traditional culture from the hearts and minds of the people, and yet try to leave just enough for the tourists. For this, your gripe and concerns are with the Communist Pary, not Western culture. Western culture and influence is administered voluntarily, only an authoritian government can force anything like culture upon its people.

I don't think you read posts very well. I never said that my gripe was with western culture. If you read the topic, it said, by people from their own country. So what exactly are you arguing here. Enlighten me.

[judes]

...oh my god guys.
is this the THIRD thread i have to deal with this?

sugar, if cowboy doesn't understand your point, the best thing to do is to explain it to him what you mean. if he doesn't understand what you're getting at he doesn't understand and if you want a good discussion (and i'm assuming you do if you post it here) you should attempt to inform others as well as yourself in these threads.

off topic posts have been deleted.

like i keep on repeating myself: ANYTHING PERSONAL TAKE IT TO PMS

[ColaPoP]

Yeah judes. Personal attacks shit me.

If you guys can't debate reasonably, this thread will be closed.
We're here to argue the topic discussion, not the reason someone started a thread, their reason behind it, or how senseless you feel this topic is.

If you don't like it, go elsewhere.

[AZNiNjARaVeR]

The thing about Western Culturization, is that it changes the views of the younger kids, and creates a bridge from the adults. Many places, due to westernization brings Parents and Kids further apart. The parents dont understand what the Kids are doing and the Kids do not wish to follow the parents traditional ways.
But there are no ways to prevent Westernization, because currently without it, there is a chance of the economy of the area dropping.

[zhy378]

i agree with the idea of moderation from khmerchef. as times changes, so does the culture that countries have to adapt new things into their culture but doesnt that mean they have to get rid of the old ways for the new things in their culture.

for example, the restrooms in china where the asian style toilet is peeing in a hole. well instead of thinking in a way that western culture has force asian nations to change their toilets to the western style toilets because thats the kind of toilet westerners use, we can think of it in a way that restroom sanitary is being better, that instead of almost slipping and falling from the wet ground ( speaking from experience), there is a less mess and less spread of yucky germs.-yes weird example of using toilet:angel:

however, even though in some places in countries are using western culture technology/architect/inventions,etc., those countries such as china are using western culture influences but putting them in a touch of chinese style, so it isnt completely changed but just modified in a way that show the east meeting the west style, meaning eastern culture hasnt been completely taking over control by western culture but more as having adaptation in a dominated euro-western context.

[Pugwash]

People have hit the topic dead on. Change is inevitable. People who can't adapt to change will suffer in today's society.