This is not part of Chinese culture.

Today I was inside church for my date with God, and the pastor asked us to hug each other and giving out bless. There are two young Chinese girls sat in front of me, and one young Chinese couple sat behind me. I looked at them and no one return any smile to me even an eye contact that hesitated me in reaching out my arm to hug them; plus I am so afraid of that might make them scream if I do so without their subconsciously agree to my action. Then the pastor in the very front would think there are

few Chinese under his eyelid try to play comedy drama during his service at a such formal occasion. Therefore, I kept quiet and motionless until the closure of the ceremony to share my thoughts spoke in Chinese about the cultural difference with that two young girls in front of me who did hug an old Caucasian lady in front of them when that old lady turned to hug them, these two young girls were passively accepted of the pastor's instruction.

I, in the meantime, realized hugging or any body contact is not normally accepted culture in Chinese life, which including giving bless to our loved one. We are raised up and taught to restrain our emotion in any business. Hugging and saying warm words to people in our culture are belong to Westerns culture, Chinese spent most our time on work and argue. Or we don't even know how to taking care our own emotion, including how to express it or share to a person you think deserve your trust. My personal experience in finding a right person to share my emotion is so hard, so I choose to go to church to confess my worrisome to God.

Culture

Discussion on I-Reading subject on Culture:

讀這本書時，心情會很沉重，因為會感覺到這本書的重量。文化、歷史和過去種種，走過千年的古國，即使熱鬧與繁榮，也躲不了歲月的洗禮。歲月令他更有內涵，卻也更加蒼老，彷彿時時都在嘆著氣。
　　寫一個國家，寫一個城市，對那個地方必要有一定的了解。人文、歷史、地理環……，在許多的因素下，成就了今日的中國，作者回顧歷史，從理史看今日的中國種種，會發現，很多事情和跡象，早在許久前就有跡可循。只是需要我們去體會，經歷千年歲月的文化。 - 書房一間

文化苦旅走遍了整個中國大陸，也跨越了中國的五千年。書中可以看到作者對歷史的博覽、對這片土地的情感。作者知識的廣博令人記憶深刻。
余秋雨的人文山水,在本書做了最好的表現,山水不只是風景,而更能給人一些省思,展現中國文人的風骨.而且看了本書,對於大陸一些人文掌故,地理,歷史等等,都會有更深一層的了解,像是柳侯祠,三峽,敦煌,都會使我們有身歷其境,與古人同遊之感,讓人不禁想親身一遊. 本書在現代的山水遊記中,真的是難得的佳品,與永州八記,水經注並列亦不遜色. - 言慈

This is what I felt the first time I visited China, and I soon made a conclusion that the whole China is a museum because we knew the background of each visiting spot historically and geologically. Regardless of the politics, China is an amazing civilization to me; especially when we looking back to so many different dynasties.

Praise the God, I sometimes think the numerous wars happened during 19 and 20 century are the result of clean cut China from the thousand years empire ruling system. Even though we all have relatives involved in the destroying power of the wars, parents and children either were killed or separated in war, thousands and millions.

One day, I realize there is one thing in common between Chinese in anywhere as well as American in USA both do not have prince and princess for them to day dreaming their fairy tales while many countries on this earth still allow to remain their fairy tale story. What power can make a thousand years empire ruling country to jump forward like this? Chinese traditionally show their fear to God, so Chinese have "Tien Tan", a formal royal altar for emperor worshiping "God" in every dynasty. ( The God representing the power of nature ruling the whole universe that Chinese traditionally respect and fear to.)

So, if we think positively, we can see the numerous wars as a gift that God's help to lead Chinese walk out of empire ruling system; even though, God using the terrible method - war, to force this giant country to change completely within two centuries.

編輯內容　e-reading group　2008/1/21 下午 02:00:47