China in Communication, Time, Space, Religion and Food - Term Paper Example

Culture of China regarding religion, food, communication, time, and space: This paper is primarily based on a largely spoken and deeply contemplated topic regarding one of the world’s richest cultures. The culture of China is unequivocally based on a rich and exotic heritage acquired from thousands of years. Chinese culture is one of the most heavily studied cultures around the globe because even if it dates back thousands of years, it never tends to exhaust or famish the thirst of the cultural analyst or any nonprofessional even for a fraction of a second. It has profound importance in the subject of cultural studies because from religion to societal behaviors and traditional values, cuisine specialties to progress over time, and advancements in space technology to communication modernization, Chinese culture is truly astounding and mesmerizing in every respect. The following discussion is an effort to highlight the exceptional and distinguished aspects of Chinese culture regarding religion, cuisine, communication, time, and space. The Chinese culture is largely influenced by ancient Chinese philosophies that have been practiced in China for thousands of years. Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are the three major religions that are practiced in China by a majority of people. Myriad differences that appear too subtle to the common public exist between these three major religions. The general public is way much oblivious to these distinctions and thinks that the religious teachings and moral values originating from these different religions is more or less the same. Intricate differences between these religions are obvious to a minimal percentage of Chinese public. Still, religious practice is still fervently adopted by many people in China, which is a heavily optimistic sign in today’s much industrialized and modernized world that is too materialistic and ignorant of religious restrictions. Actually, it is those distinctions existing between the three major Chinese religions that have evolved the Chinese culture which is so dynamic and vibrant. One common and enthralling aspect of the Chinese culture that is acquired from the fusion of ancient religions is that it is required of every person to live in harmony with all the other people, no matter if that other person is a friend or a foe. This is one profoundly appreciable aspect of the Chinese culture, which demands every person to seek and spread love regardless of societal, ethnic, or racial pressures. The Chinese cuisine is overwhelmingly popular around the globe among all age groups and bags huge appreciation almost every year in myriad prestigious annual global food contests. Much of the Chinese cuisine is derived from the cooking practices that were significantly vibrant in the Dynastic ruling period. It is worth mentioning here that ancient Chinese rulers used to host large meals consisting of hundred of traditional dishes at one time. (Ling, 2002, p. 34). It is from this traditional hospitality of hosting large banquets that a whole wide array of variations exist in Chinese cuisine that appeal hugely not only to the Chinese people but by almost everyone around the world. These variations in cuisine also originated and prevailed in the Chinese culture because the Dynastic period was open to many enriched influences from the surrounding countries. China’s gourmet culture and true connoisseur experience has been creating waves of innovation and taste around the world for many past years. The up side about the Chinese cuisine is that it offers extremely stomach friendly food and this fact is acclaimed by all the nutritional specialists around the world. This is because with the cooking oil that is pretty scarce in the country and expensive meat, Chinese food experts have diverted the taste of the Chinese public towards inexpensive but nutritious and heavenly tasty foods. An important and interesting fact regarding the Chinese communication is that it can be both verbal and non-verbal, and both modes of communication are very important when studying their role and significance in the Chinese culture. Chinese attitude and learning towards communication has been shaped over the years and it is largely impacted by many influences from the neighboring countries. Rich culture and dynamically pulsating features are analyzed in Chinese communication owing to myriad influences it has experienced over the years. Scholars mention that the overall effect of rich influences on Chinese communication has been that it has managed in inculcating a sense of freedom of speech, individuality, thinking creativity, ability to process thinking into effective wordplay, and a desire for harmony in the people. The Chinese mode of communication changed from “standardized” to “highly-structured” over time when the people began to feel that understanding messages meant much more than simple meaning of the words. “Chinese attitudes towards communication depends upon understanding that the goal of all communication was (and is) the desire to maintain harmony in human relations.” (Bissky, 2007). It is an acclaimed fact that the Chinese culture has significantly shaped and largely crossed over time and space. Chinese culture is subject to stupendous variation over time and space and this variation is clearly visible in the Chinese culture. Many things and concepts that were once in vogue are now completely obsolete and vanished out completely. It is also an established fact that the respect and care for elders that was once a significant feature of the Chinese culture has now lost much of its potency over time. The impact of time and space on the Chinese culture concerning the care for elders can be judged from the fact that with excessive competitiveness and increased materialistic approach, meaning of relationships is getting fast forgotten with the result that none of the kids remain behind with their parents. This change in approach in the Chinese culture is produced because of the inevitable impact of time. Time and space have fundamental importance not only in the Chinese culture, but in every culture because they directly influence almost every aspect of the societal structure. From another aspect, time and space measurement is also very important in any culture and it has understandably huge social and religious implications. Many Chinese people synchronize their prayers with particular times. The relationship between clock and sunrise and sunset times can be identified in ancient Chinese science books. References: Bissky, G. (2007). Chinese culture and communication. Retrieved from http://www.chinasuccessstories.com/2007/11/07/confucian-communication/ Ling, K.F. (2002). The Food of Asia. Tuttle Publishing. Read More