Unity, honor central to Chinese ethos_其他_趣味英语-查字典英语网

Unity, honor central to Chinese ethos

Wuttke is right. Chinese people have their own way of thinking, just as Western people have theirs.

Take the hosting of the Beijing Olympic Games as an example. Chinese people regard it as an important event that merits the whole nation's devotion to its success. This explains why China has been working hard on the face-lift of major cities' environment and why the Chinese demonstrated what many Westerners thought to be a "crazy" enthusiasm during the Olympic torch relay.

Two things account for

this Chinese-style patriotism. First, Chinese people believe in collectivism in their innermost nature whereas patriotism is the supreme form of collectivism; second, Chinese people tend to attach the greatest importance to a matter of honor. Olympic Games is a rare occasion in which an unprecedentedly large number of foreigners will come. The Chinese are a nation of hospitality. For them, any event that will attract many guests should be run in style.

Some Western media jeered China for its ardent effort to prepare for the Games. They should try to understand the Chinese culture. And, honestly, it is universal for a family to tidy its home before hosting a friends' gathering. Does a Western man not tuck those pairs of his smelly socks under the sofa before opening the door to let in a visitor?

Threats to boycott the Beijing Olympic Games grievously hurt the hospitable Chinese people. We have been sincere in anticipation of the arrival of guests but find that there are so many people in this world who are hostile to us; at least they are doubtful about our sincerity.