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First Impressions: What Chinese Netizens Think of Other Countries (Part 2)
Feb 02, 2012By eChinacities.comEditor's note: The following article was translated and edited from a survey on netizens' "first impressions" of foreign countries conducted by the Global Times (Chinese edition). This article – the second of a two part series – covers Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Brazil and South Africa.
Photo: typepad.com
5) Britain: The Declining Gentleman
Although it's already been 15 years since "the sun finally set on the British Empire" (when Hong Kong was returned to China), the first impression Chinese netizens have of Britain is still that of the Colonizer (8.6%). Related words such as Aggression, Pillage and Imperialism were also at the top, with 6.3%, 5.8% and 5.2% of the vote respectively. Interestingly enough, another "first impression" shares the top spot with Colonizer – and that word is none other than Decline, also collecting 8.6% of the vote.
Although its empire disappeared and the aristocracy ditched their castles, it seems that the impression of the British Gentleman (8.2%) still resonates deeply with Chinese netizens. But, maybe this Gentleman is not so gentlemanly after all – Hypocritical (7.7%) etiquette, reliance on Conservative (7.1%) conventions and being adept at Treachery (5.6%) also spring to mind when netizens think of Britain. In addition, the leftover remnants of the British Empire's political legacy and cultural heritage were not overlooked by the Chinese netizens. ConstitutionalMonarchy, PoundSterling, PrestigiousSchools and the treasure house of human civilization known as the British Museum all received about 4% of the vote. When compared to its glorious past, modern day British cultural symbols did not seem to leave much of a lasting impression on Chinese netizens with few exceptions such as Harry Potter(3.1%) and James Bond (2.6%) .
6) Germany: The Rigorous Engineer
By a large margin Chinese netizens' first impression of Germany is that it is Rigorous (13.0%). It's been said that Germans are more accurate than machines, not to mention the Chinese scholars that have called out for Chinese to be "as rigorous as the German people". In addition to this, Chinese netizens also hold strong impressions about other national characteristics that describe the typical German – Diligent (7.4%), Disciplined (6.3%), Low Key (5.0%) and Rigid (4.0%). It's the meticulous attention to detail; common in many German industries that makes Germany an Advanced country (8.6%) responsible for many High Quality (6.8%) products in the eyes of many Chinese netizens. Take the German-built Car (8.2%) for example – it's synonymous with safe, reliable and elegant; or a typical German household appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, which are still highly sought-after in the global market.
Yet, despite the large proportion of (warranted) praise given by the Chinese netizens, the impression left by Germany's Nazi (7.5%) past is still quite prevalent. Although China was not directly affected by the Nazi movement, a majority of Chinese people have seen accounts of the atrocities that occurred in the concentration camps. Also well known to Chinese netizens is the Berlin Wall (4.5%), which went up after World War II and divided Germany into two, and subsequently fell in 1989. In addition, netizens also voted for tangible items, such as Beer (5.3%), Heavy Industry (5.2%), Football (3.7%), as well more intangible items, such as the Communist Manifesto (2.6%) and Philosophy (2.0%), all of which have changed the world to differing extents.
7) France: The Romantic
With any mention of France, many people naturally draw up images of fresh flowers, perfume, candlelit dinners and wine. Considered by many to have the most beautiful sounding language in the world, many visitors find that the romantic airs of the country are inescapable. As such, it is no big surprise that the biggest impression left by France on Chinese netizens is that it's Romantic (9.4%), tied by equally-not-surprising impression brought by it's Fashion (9.4%). And as seemingly all French clothing, entertainment and arts are equally deemed as Romantic; the demand for many French products has turned them into Luxury (5.9%) goods, largely sought after by countless women. But men too, it seems, cannot resist the temptation of some French productions – many have been known to spend ridiculous amounts of money just to enjoy a single bottle of French Wine (3.8%) from a good year.
The history of the architectural miracle known as the Eiffel Toweralso left a big impression on Chinese netizens, with 7.4% of the vote, and other famous tourist attractions, such as the Notre Dame de Paris(5.3%) and the Louvre (4.7%) collected a high number of votes as well. The respondents' impressions of the French national character were also quite interesting. Swanky received 7.2% of the votes, while Dissolute and Proud both grabbed more than 4.5% of the votes. Of course, Chinese netizens also have an impression of France's less-glamorous side – quite aware of France's Colonial (3.5%) history, when its grasp stretched across North America, Africa and Asia during the era of the French Empire (3.6%). But as these colonies became independent one by one, the Decline(3.0%) of the French Empire was also inevitable.
8) Italy: Crime and Beauty
It seems nothing in Italy left a greater lasting impression on Chinese Netizens than the classic story of the Corleone family from the movie "The Godfather", as Italy's most highly ranked term was none other than Mafia (9.6%). However, the callousness of this first impression did not completely cover up more brighter elements of Italy – not far behind, many Chinese netizens also had strong impressions of Italy's Fashion (8.7%) and of course, it's great Roman Empire (8.5%), not to mention the art, culture and prosperity of the Renaissance(5.7%) which began in the small town of Florence and spread to the rest of Europe.
Other similarly merry imagery, such as Romantic (6.4%), Dissolute (6.0%) were also highly voted. Likewise, Italian Football (6.4%), the sunsets of Venice (6.0%) and the un-duplicable quality of real Italian Luxury Goods (5.6%) all make up Netizens' overall-positive impression of Italy. And although the one-time great Colosseum (4.3%) has now become ruins, and the Roman Empire has long since Declined (3.5%), it seems that a century of Italian Art (3.5%), not to mention the Beauties (3.6%) bronzed by the sun of the Mediterranean, and of course the universally loved Pizza (2.6%) have all lead Chinese netizens to have an overall romantic impression of Italy.
9) Brazil: Full of passion... and problems
Brazil and South Africa are both BRICS members – an acronym for "Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa", are deemed to be at a similar stage of newly advanced economic development. On climate issues, as well as on the establishment of a new international political and economic order, Brazil and South Africa's positions are similar to China's.
Uninhibited Passion (10.3%) is the first impression of Brazil for many Chinese netizens, and it's no wonder – there's the radiant Samba (10.0%) dancing, the explosive Football (9.6%) team, the massive annual Carnival (7.5%) that's teeming with Latin Beauties (4.7%), not to mention its delicious Barbecue (4.7%) and the Tropical Rainforest (8.9%) – for many people, Brazilian life is the textbook definition of Uninhibited Passion. However, as with other developing countries, long-term problems with the rich-poor gap have plagued Brazil. And in South America, the twin brother of "poverty" is "drugs". As such, it's no surprise that Slums (4.8%) and Gangs (3.5%) also spring to mind when China's netizens think of Brazil.
10) South Africa: Treasures and Dangers
Best known to Chinese netizens as the producer of the world's finest Diamonds(15.1%), South Africa also has almost one-half of the world's Gold (7.8%) reserves, as well as a solid hold on the Ivory (7.3%) trade. It's no wonder with all of these treasures that South Africa is considered to be the Most Developed Country in Africa (8.0%). In addition to its natural resources, South Africa is home to another treasure, namely freedom fighter Nelson Mandela (7.2%), who shattered South Africa's history of Apartheid(4.2%) and devoted himself to founding a fair, non-discriminatory political system and social structure. These are the true cornerstones of South Africa's economic ascent.
But the impression China's netizens have of South Africa is not all positive. They're also quite aware of South Africa's so-called "two highs": the High Rate of HIV/AIDS (7.3%) and its High Crime Rate (6.5%). Other words like "Primitive" (5.2%) and "Polygamy" (3.9%) also scored votes. However, South Africa's splendid geography didn't go unnoticed by netizens with "Cape of Good Hope" (6.3%) and "Safari Park" (4.8%) all accruing votes.
Source: world.huanqiu, opinion.huanqiu (original survey)
Related links
First Impressions: What Chinese Netizens Think of Other Countries (Part 1)
Top 10 Questions Foreigners Love to Ask Chinese
New Survey of Sino-Japanese Relations Shows a Lack of Love
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This article refers to British culture as though the entire country was an "England" plucked straight out of the constipated works of Charles Dickens, Jane Austen and possibly the Bronte sisters.
Don't forget that Britain is comprised of four countries, and while British imperialism was certainly a regrettably hideous feature of the past, modern Britain is a hugely vibrant place with several native languages that include Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Manx, Cornish, Ulster Scots and Irish.
Of course, there are many other languages spoken today that reflect the communities that live in the UK, including Urdu, Hindi and Polish, and I am proud that these languages reflect the multiculturalism of Britain's communities.
The idea that it is a land dominated by fox hunting Tory wankers is an unfortunate reflection on how the UK is projected to the rest of the world.
However, I would argue that China's self-imposed lingua franca has created a palimpsest of decaying regional languages that are eroding at a far higher rate than anything in Britain.
If you wish to discuss cultural imperialism, have a good long look at China.
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FFS sensitive Pete, why so serious?
Ask the Brits in the UK what their first impression are of China and Chinese, and laugh at them when they respond with kung fu, noodles and Mao.
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Most dialects of English in England itslef have already dissapeared, all that remains are different accents and a few regional words and expressions. Gaelic in Scotland is also close to extinction. Chinese dialects are far more vibrant than many British ones, so I wouldn't get superior.
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Why the anger?
As an Englishman, you should be glad that these ignorant chinese only have a filtered view of British "culture" based on their limited exposure and understanding of all things foreign.
If it was me, rampant moral and public decay i.e. vandalism, high single motherhood and abortion, rampant casual sex, high unemployment, unskilled workers, high level of incompatible immigrant, districts out of bounds for police, low moral police force, low trust in government. Decaying public transport (how old is the tube with its inconsistent blackout still???)
Police state with the highest CCTV per citizen in the world, property bubble, newspaper wire tappings scandals, economic stagnant, corruption scandals, war of invasion in other countries.
Basically, Britain has turned into a country for international students (who didnt know better). tourists to the museum full of artifacts pillaged from ancient and other civilizations and last minute 5 pound tickets to watch musicals.
And you dare to critize other country? Take a good look at your own country before shooting off your mouth
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Sad though it is, 'UK' and 'England' are basically synonymous in the minds of everyone who isn't actually from the Isles. Even some - and I stress some - highly educated Americans I've met are a little embarrassed when I have to explain that England does not = UK, but that England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland = the United Kingdom. It's a common misconception.
When most non-Brits say UK, they mean England. Reading the article itself, I'm pretty sure that's what the Chinese population is referencing. Ask them about Scotland for example and I'm sure they'll have a whole different bunch of impressions: "gentleman" is almost always applied in the sense of "English Gentleman," and "Conservatives" (Tory wankers if you will) are basically a dead party outside of England.
These stereotypes are about the English, however wrong or right they may be.
JD: Alas yes, a lot of people in the UK are very dumb. A lot of people aren't, but stupid polls like this seem to cater to the lowest denominator, in China as well as back home.
jixiang: Gaelic is not close to extinction, nor are Manx, Cornish and Welsh. They're small sure: but you'll have people asking you to step outside for a quick introduction to the finer points of the word 'extinction' if you bandied a statement like that around in Anglesey/Cornwall/the Highlands, etc.
Also, compare the recent charming Chinese professor (google: "New York Times One Country, Two Systems: Not Lately") who deemed Cantonese "not a language, but a mere dialect" and Hong Kong people as 'dogs.' It seem there's a wee bit more discord over here than over there, so if I were you I wouldn't get superior either.
RG: "...dare to critize other country" ? Suuuuuure. This is what eChinacities is FOR: comparing and contrasting cultures. And then bashing them. This site has seen far worse. Mr Cowell, if he is as Welsh, Scottish or Northern Irish as I suspect, is only making the point that it's a bit harsh to be tarred by someone else's brush just because they can't get their definitions right.
Phew. To finish, is it just me or did the Germans win this one...?
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yes UK is all about England, because the other three have not brought anything meaningful to the British Cultural table- do football managers count?
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@ England til I spew.
You really are a half-wit ponce. Go and do some research before your mother reads your drivel and becomes even further disappointed.
* HINT (cos I know you need it) 'Ness of Brodgar'
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It says on Wikipedia that the last native speaker of Manx died in 1974, so what on earth are you talking about? Even Welsh is only spoken by 20% of Welsh residents. Chinese dialects and minority languages are still far more vibrant than British ones, that is the simple fact of the matter. Any serious research will confirm this.
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Even if Wikipedia was "serious research" (I love it, it's amazing, but it's really not), if you'd read down the page you would learn that despite being classified as dead in 1975, it has since been removed from the list of extinct languages by UNESCO after a concerted revival effort. There aren't very many, 100 fluent speakers and another thousand or so who are intermediate, but that's a lot more than 'dead.'
Look, Celtic languages are far less widely-spoken than Cantonese or Hakka or Wu. Indisputable fact. But they are PLENTY vibrant. It has nothing to do with relative population size. You would NEVER get an Oxbridge professor going on national TV and saying the same thing about Celtic languages as Kong Qingdong of Peking University said of Cantonese:
"There are not two languages: the detail is very important. One is Mandarin, the other is a dialect. Everybody has the responsibility to speak Mandarin. Those who refuse to speak Mandarin, what kind of people are they? BASTARDS. [Hong-Kongers] are dogs. They AREN'T human."
Lovely.
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curry. fish and chips. a pint down the pub. i miss my England.
But for the time being i am drunk on yellow fever, and will indulge myself in the gullible young virgins here. Kung pow chicken helps me get by in between the sessions.
Rule Britannia.
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Rule Britania??!! Ha!!!! The yanks have been ruling britania for decades now, so no wonder you miss the old England! Once the biggest Empire in the world you are now the most powerful lackeys of your lords and masters, the yanks. We at least, are free!
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What that professor said on television is ridicolous, but let's not forget that before the second world war children would be punished in Welsh schools for speaking Welsh. The truth is that in the UK the process of imposing a single language on everyone has already reached fruition, so now the state doesnt' have to feel threatened by a "resurgence" of already dead regional languages. The Chinese state is still in the process of trying to impose a lingua franca on everyone, which seems to be part of the process of becoming a modern state, like it or not.
All I am saying is that holding up the UK as an example of linguistic diversity in comparison to China is quite absurd, and the stupid words of one professor don't change that. You can present Spain as a succesful example of upholding regional languages, not Britain.
And all you other people, "thumbing down" my comments won't alter the fact that I am saying the truth. I know you hate anyone speaking up for China, but so be it.
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@ jixiang
Yes - it seems that a lot of people automatically thumbs-down posts if the author has a Chinese name. Your writing is reasoned and intelligent.
Amidst the multitudes of ultra-defensive, entirely uncritical responses like "FORINERS TELL LIAS!!!! BE CAUSE THEY ARE THE CORUPT ONE HAHA!!! I KNOW THE TRUE FACTS ABOUT THE HISTERY!!!", it is reassuring to come across an intelligent post (let alone a researched one). Nevermind the thumbs down.
Given the quality of your writing, if someone gives you a thumbs down instead of an articulate response, it means they are outmatched.
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Firstly, I do not think that the"sun has finally set in British Empire". It is the opposite. For the Britishers still rule the world. The Britishers Empire still span from New Zeland and Australia in the East to Canada and USA in the West. What more is that the world economy, politics and millitary is still dominated by the Britishers. The names USA, Canada, Australia and New Zeland means nothing. They are only symbolic. The difference is that while London was the capital in the old days, it is Washangton now a days. What more is that Farnce, Germany, Italy etc are just the client states and the so called Western world is the name in disguise for NATO world. The same goe sto the so called World community.
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Thumbs down?! You guys are just too stupid to recognize irony.
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My two pence:
I find it surprising that even after global televised coverage of the riots last summer than anybody still views the UK as a 'land of fox hunting Tory wankers'. Yes, that still exists, but in my mind (I'm British) the most relevant and pertinent word to describe the UK these days, is 'decline'. Moral, economic, social, political... you name it, it's in decline!
An interesting observation from all of the countries commented on, is that it appears that China is unable to let go of the past. I knew that in regards to their view of Japan, but do they seriously STILL see countries like France and Britain as 'Colonialist'? Learn to let go, China. The scars will only heal if you let them.
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Why Spain is not included in the list?
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Cause we just aint worth it, nor have we apported anything to the World. We lost our Empire , sat out World War I and II and only have to guts to pursue poorly aremed freedom fighters like ETA and kill hapless bulls.
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And what thinking foreigners about chinese people? They screaming in restaurants, are ignorant, egoistic, spiting every where, arrogant and don't care about others life.
I found most of this is unlikely right but I guess the education level is really low so maybe this is the reason.
But it is really funny, few days ago I was in Thailand for vacation. There was a lot of chinese people too because of the Chinese New Year. The Thai-People are very friendly and most of them speak english. Anyhow they have the same experieance like us. They also say the chinese people don't care about others, are loud, egoistic and arrogant.
So I don't care what chinese people think about other nations ... they have to change their behavior totally if they like to be accepted worldwide.
But you have to understand not all chinese are like this, I have a lot of friends here, taiwanese, chinese and vietnamese. So the society will change it is only a question of time ...
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You know, being able to speak English is not a measure of civilization and education. China has it's own language which is used for everything, which makes it far less necessary and easy to learn foreign languages. The tourist industry is also not as important as in Thailand. As an aside, your English also needs some working on.
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