Culture Changes A Focus on Diversity within China Rebecca J
Culture Changes A Focus on Diversity within China Rebecca J. Bunetta Keiser University MKT 635 International Marketing Dr. Jordan September 23, 2018 It so happens that in China the Lunar New Year is the greatest and the most festive holiday of the year for the Chinese. For years of the Chinese tradition makes this day a special magical time when all hard workers especially the farmers, to have this day to rest from their work from the fields of hard work (Xinhua 2017). All the Chinese families would take this day to travel to their close relatives and wish out the old year to welcome in the new with large family festive celebration. For thousands of years the Chinese people have celebrated the New Year in this manor (Xinhua 2017). Even though it is different from village to village and from families to families according to the position that there are in within the social group, a great number of these family customs are still being celebrated (Pang 2012). More than 2000 years of Chinese history is in these traditional Chinese festivals dated back so far to the Zhou Dynasty (1027-221 B. C.) Life in China is seen in these traditional festivals (Xia Ma 2015). The two traditional Chinese calendars are the lunar and solar calendar, and some of these you might of heard of which are the Tomb-Seeping Day, May Day, Mid-Autumn Day, the Chinese New Year, National Day, and Golden Week are some celebrated holidays in China (Pan 2012). Eleven days are celebrated as public holidays in the Peoples Republic of China and employees dont have to work on these days. Some of these holidays have fixed dates, while others move depending on the lunar calendar. The Spring Festival and National Day are celebrated with three days of public holiday each every other public holiday is for one day only. The Chinese government decides on the schedule for the next years public holidays in December of the preceding year. If possible, public holidays are usually scheduled before or after weekends to create long weekends (Huang, Norman, Ramshaw Haller 2015). In ancient times, all these festivals, especiallytheimportant ones, were celebrated through various activities. Many of these traditions had been kept intact until China entered its modern stage (Pang 2012). As for customs and festivals, the Chinese people, especially their youth, are so much attached not only to Christmas, but also to St. Valentines Day, Halloween and other western customs and festivals, that they forget they are Chinese and try to come closer to the western culture in observing western festivals and even imitate the western people especially US American peoples daily behavior (Ye 2010). Today the Chinese people have grabbed a hold of the traditions of the Westerners with celebrating along with the US, the special day of Valentine Day. They even share gifts like chocolates, watches, flowers, and some women even give ties, which makes this day like no other, a special day to date, a movie, or even a special romantic dinner (Shen, Wang, Ye, Liu 2018). This Valentines Day in China seems to raises the prices on everything, the chocolate you purchase in the supermarkets, the tickets you purchase at the movie theaters, the purchase of flower on this day, the lovely restaurants and hotels. According to Shen, Wang, Ye Liu (2018), In Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing the restaurants will have special set Valentines Day menus with double increase in price. Rumor has it, that in order to get a reservation you must book a reservation at these restaurants way far in advance, like even the year before. Today, the Chinese has really made some changes to the way of celebrating (Shen, Wang, Ye Liu 2018). The problem is that in China elders are worried about the younger generations lifestyle. As we all know, millions of Chinese people celebrated Valentines Day. So, I thought Id illuminate the effects of festivals and console the elders. No one can have failed to notice the fact that Western festivals are gaining ever-increasing popularity in China. An increasing number of Chinese are fond of celebrating Western festivals today (Raza 2015). In view of such a situation, many are worried that Chinese culture will be ignored or even ruined by the invasion of Western festivals. Personally, I believe that we neednt be over worried. Actually, the increasing popularity of some Western festivals in China is nothing accidental, but something justifiable (Raza 2015). First, it is a part of cultural globalization. With the development of communication science and technology, and along with more and more nations opening up to the outside world, the world today has turned into a global village, with many national things becoming international. China is no exception. While we are absorbing advanced science and technology from foreign countries, we are also taking in different cultures (Raza 2015). Secondly, it is a sign of Chinas rejuvenation. As a nation boasting a civilization of 5,000 years, China has been known for its spirit of accommodation or open-mindedness. China used to be a melting pot of cultures as the U.S. is today. In the prosperous Tang dynasty, China was host to travelers and settlers from over the world. Actually, being accommodating is a sign of any thriving nation. Therefore, we should be pleased rather than upset to see Chinese people embracing foreign festivals Raza 2015). It is true that some traditional Chinese festivals are losing their appeal to many people, but this does not necessarily ruin Chinese culture. Actually, a closer inspection reveals that most Chinese celebrate Western festivals merely out of the wish to seek novelty, to find a new way to entertain them or to express their identity in the face of the older generation. On the other hand, most Chinese have not ignored their native festivals (Raza 2015). References Huang, W., Norman, W. C., Ramshaw, G. P., Haller, W. J. (2015). Transnational leisure experience of second-generation immigrants The case of chinese-americans.Journal of Leisure Research,47(1), 102-124. Retrieved from HYPERLINK https//search-proquest-com.prx-keiser.lirn.net/docview/1660769656accountid35796 https//search-proquest-com.prx-keiser.lirn.net/docview/1660769656accountid35796 Pang, Q. (2012). A socio-political approach to cultural resurgence in contemporary china Case study of the approval of traditional festivals as public holidays.International Journal of China Studies,3(1), 79-92. Retrieved from HYPERLINK https//search-proquest-com.prx-keiser.lirn.net/docview/1271876165accountid35796 https//search-proquest-com.prx-keiser.lirn.net/docview/1271876165accountid35796 Raza, M. (2015). Growing popularity of Western festivals in China no cause for alarm. Retrieved from http//www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2015-12/29/content_22855326.htm HYPERLINK https//www.emeraldinsight.com/author/Shen2CHan Shen,H., HYPERLINK https//www.emeraldinsight.com/author/Wang2CQiucheng Wang, Q., HYPERLINK https//www.emeraldinsight.com/author/Ye2CChuou Ye, C., HYPERLINK https//www.emeraldinsight.com/author/Liu2CJessicaShihchi Liu, S. (2018). The evolution of holiday system in China and its influence on domestic tourism demand,Journal of Tourism Futures, Vol. 4 Issue 2, pp.139-151, HYPERLINK https//doi.org/10.1108/JTF-10-2016-0027 https//doi.org/10.1108/JTF-10-2016-0027 Xiao, H., Ma, Z. (2015). Business ethics in china.Nankai Business Review International,6(2), 106-127. Retrieved from h HYPERLINK ttps//search-proquest-com.prx-k ttps//search-proquest-com.prx-keiser.lirn.net/docview/1682354958accountid35796 Ye, X. (2010). Cultural Invasion and Cultural Protection. Retrieved from https//pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3e8a/0e8714bb5cd5eb1824670a2f28a7f6b0d2c6.pdf Culture Changes PAGE MERGEFORMAT 2 Running head CULTURE CHANGES PAGE MERGEFORMAT 1 Y, dXiJ(x(I_TS1EZBmU/xYy5g/GMGeD3Vqq8K)fw9
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