The differences between Asian and Western cultures are not as wide as they once were now that the world’s people are all known to each other. Yet there are differences in language, in food, in art, in religion, as well as great geographical distances.

Language

Language, the means by which people connect with the thinking processes of others, differs from region to region within countries. This is especially so with the language of China. Yet these many dialects did originate with the same root, the character of their writing being more a picture than a mere symbol. At least in the beginning of their language.

The Western languages having their origin in the Phoenician alphabet is different indeed. Yet the Chinese do not seem to have as much trouble learning English as the English-speaking public has in learning theirs. Their written language puts ours to shame. Artists so admire their exquisite brush strokes and fancy lettering even when they have no clue as to what it means.

Art

Art has always been a part of all written language. Western languages, built around the Phoenician alphabet fascinate the Western world less than that of the Asian languages. The unknown always fascinates. Yet strides are being made to understand and to bridge the gap from one to the other. It’s the young people who are making the biggest strides. Language just naturally seems to be easier for them. Yet, it is in art that the vast differences in basic lifestyles is most celebrated and understood.

The Eastern style seems so precise and so planned and so patient. Proof of this is in Japan’s simple yet profound art of flower arranging. It’s as if they know and have known the magic of elusive beauty. Another example of this is in their perfected style of Poetry. Westerners love to imitate this style, yet do so badly, in most cases.

Religion

From the very first, religion has separated the East from the West. Coupled with their strange and different religious styles plus distanced geography, it was once thought east and west would never met. They have met and both are now learning form the other. Together experiences, better understanding and plans for a future of cooperation that holds great promise is now the song being heard.

Both are copy cats: East copies from the West and West copies form the East. Only the terminology is different; it’s now called learning from diversity. Some like the other’s religion and some don’t, but they have learned to be respectful. Or at least that’s the attitude that is now socially acceptable to each.   

Food

The difference in food and in food preparation is vastly different in the East than in the West. But all this is changing. The Chinese students that study in the United States, as an example,  sample the prevailing fast food and different eating styles while introducing US students to theirs. As an example, Sushi, the eating of raw fish is now such a delicacy here that just to talk about it has some Westerners salivating.

And their food and chain restaurants are favorites of Westerners everywhere. Go into any Chinese-style eatery in this United States, and not counting the chefs and the waiters, all the people are Westerners. Or most of them are. Their food and their eating habits are different form ours but there is no denying that the West is hungry for Asian food.

Distance has always been a dividing factor between East and West. But with the ease of jet travel and the easy interchange of computers and other problem-solving ways to get East and West better acquainted, the distance in land miles is still far away, it only seems closer. And that’s a fact both east and west can live with.