Top 10 incorrect Chinese stereotypes

http://www.travelwireasia.com/2011/08/top-10-incorrect-chinese-stereotypes/
By Xiao Xiao
Having encountered different people from across the world from countries like India, America
and Australia, Ive noticed that foreigners always hold certain interesting stereotypes of the
Chinese. Here, I sift the fact from the fiction:
1. Fiction Every Chinese knows Kung fu or other Chinese martial arts. Fact Thats not
true. Kung fu is a fighting style which has developed over the centuries in China. The
genesis of the form of martial art is attributed to the need for self-defense, hunting
techniques and military training in ancient China. However, in modern China, few people
are fluent in Kung fu. In general, people do not learn Kung fu. Some monks do learn
Kung fu to keep this part of Chinese traditional culture alive, but thats about it.
2. Fiction Chinese is one of the most difficult languages to learn in the world. Fact In
fact, the grammar system of Chinese is quite simple when compared to other languages.
There are 50.000 characters in Chinese, however, learning 1500 to 3000 characters is
sufficient for one to read newspapers and books.
3. Fiction All Chinese are good at Math. Fact - There is no denying that a large group of
Chinese students are excellent at math but not all Chinese are math geniuses.
4. Fiction - Cantonese is the official language of China. Fact Actually, the official
language of China is Mandarin. However, most foreigners often mistake Cantonese as the
official language of the country. The reason could be due to the majority of Chinese
immigrants in the early 1990s who come from Canton. Another reason could also be the
impact of Hong Kong movies.
5. Fiction The Chinese culture is continues to be the same today as it was thousands of
years ago. It is traditional and conservative. Fact False, modern China is very much like
other developing or developed countries. Major cities in China such as Beijing, Shanghai
and Guangzhou are much the same as other metropolises around the world.
6. Fiction - Chinese women are subordinate to men. Fact This stereotype originated from
movies about ancient China. In modern China, women embrace their freedom and are
taking more and more important roles in society.Chinese women are more independent
today than ever before.
7. Fiction - Chinese think that money can buy anything. Fact Not all Chinese agree with
the view that money can buy anything. In fact, Chinese people believe in the power of
diligence.

8. Fiction - Rice is the only source of food in China. Fact - Although rice is the main food
in China, we attach great importance to the variety of food.
9. Fiction - -Chinese people do not care about politics. Fact Thats not true. In China, we
do not have general elections like most of the western countries, but we do care about
politics. The power elite in China enthusiastically engage themselves in politics and
public affairs.
10. Fiction - Many foreigners tend to think that the Chinese are brainwashed or mindcontrolled by their government. Fact The origin of this misleading concept comes from
the Cultural Revolution. Although, we are not granted complete freedom of speech,
especially in the media industry, Chinese are now more spiritually independent.
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