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"Chinese are crazy!"
"I'll never set foot here again!"
The accusation, full of anger and disdain, was a France lashing out at China on social media.
What could make this France tourist, who had planned to rest for 20 hours in China, make such a bad impression of the eastern power in just one day?
Click on the video, and the France man is shown blushing, speaking broken English, hoarsely accusing him of everything that happened to him in China.
From the moment he stepped into a Chinese airport, it was as if he had entered a nightmare, and every step of the way made him angry.
Is this a misunderstanding caused by cultural differences, or is it the problem of France tourists themselves?
Perhaps, the answer lies in his seemingly hilarious complaints.
**A culture clash that started at the airport**
The story begins with the travels of this France tourist.
He had planned to fly from France to Bali for a holiday, but because the flight had a connecting flight in China, he had to stay in the unfamiliar city for 20 hours.
To relieve the fatigue after a long flight, he booked a hotel near the airport and was ready to get some rest.
However, what he never expected was that this "Chinese-style" transit trip turned out to be a cultural clash that drove him crazy.
As soon as he got off the plane, he was greeted by a "dismount" that he did not expect.
China's strict security procedures and cumbersome procedures make France tourists, accustomed to the relatively relaxed airport environment of Western countries, feel extremely uncomfortable.
In his opinion, the process of collecting fingerprints and scanning luggage is not only inefficient, but also an invasion of his personal privacy.
As soon as you leave the airport, there is a mess, and you have to scan everything when you go through customs.
The France tourist complains in the video, his words full of impatience and dissatisfaction.
The strict security checks at China's airports are actually out of concern for the increasingly serious anti-terrorism situation and public safety.
Unlike some Western countries that sacrifice some security in the pursuit of efficiency, China is more focused on minimizing security risks, even if it means more time costs for travelers.
This difference is actually the result of different cultures' different views on safety and efficiency.
However, the France tourist apparently did not realize this, and he saw the strict enforcement of Chinese customs as a deliberate attempt to make things difficult for him, and his dissatisfaction began to accumulate.
Taxi Scandal: Language Barriers and Cultural Biases
Recently I took a taxi and ran into some trouble, mainly because of the language barrier and cultural differences. The driver didn't understand what I was saying, and I didn't quite understand what he meant, so it was very difficult to communicate. Add to that a bit of a cultural bias on both sides, and the situation is even more complicated. At this time, it's really a headache.
The France tourist finally passed the lengthy customs check, dragged his tired body to the airport gate, ready to take a taxi to the hotel.
However, new troubles followed.
According to the regulations of Chinese airports, passengers need to queue up in the designated taxi waiting area, and the staff will arrange the vehicle in a unified manner.
This practice was originally intended to maintain order and prevent drivers from picking passengers and refusing to ride, but in the eyes of France tourists, it has become a "disrespectful" behavior.
You can't pick a taxi yourself, and there is someone at the door to help you arrange which car to take.
The France tourist complains in the video, his tone full of arrogance and disdain.
What made him even more troublesome was that the driver of this taxi didn't speak English.
"He doesn't speak English in China?"
The France tourist asked in surprise, it sounded unbelievable.
Language barriers are always a major problem in cross-cultural communication.
It is an indisputable fact that the English penetration rate of taxi drivers in China is low, but it is obviously unfair to put all the blame on the drivers.
As a tourist, it's important to learn some basic local language or download translation software in advance before traveling to a non-English speaking country.
However, the France tourist was clearly not prepared for this, and he took it for granted that in China, everyone should be able to speak English in order to serve him.
This deep-seated sense of superiority and lack of understanding of Chinese culture eventually led to this taxi scandal.
He also felt that Chinese taxis were too expensive.
"I've never had that expensive taxi in other countries!"
He complains in the video.
However, what he didn't realize was that the taxi fare standards in different countries and regions could not be generalized due to various factors such as the level of economic development, fuel prices, and operating costs.
What's more, the starting price and kilometer price of Chinese taxis are not high in the world, and even lower than many developed countries.
This taxi scandal is not so much a matter of service quality as it is a matter of cultural differences and prejudices.
This France tourist used his narrow perception and arrogant attitude to turn an ordinary taxi experience into a cultural conflict.
Okay, go ahead......
If the experience at the airport and in a taxi only made the France tourist a little uncomfortable, the hotel experience simply made him angry.
The France tourist finally arrived at the hotel he had booked, his body was too tired to work, and his heart was on fire.
Before he could recover his strength, new trouble arose.
"The bed is as hard as concrete."
This was his first impression of a Chinese hotel, and it was also the last straw that completely broke him down.
The difference between Chinese and Western people's preferences for mattresses has long existed.
Chinese generally prefer hard mattresses, believing that they are more conducive to spine health, while Westerners prefer soft mattresses and pursue a comfortable sleep experience.
This difference is mainly due to differences in culture and living habits.
However, the France tourist does not seem to notice this.
He uses his own country's standards to measure China's hotels, and it is naturally difficult to find satisfactory answers.
In his opinion, the softness and hardness of hotel mattresses are not only related to sleep quality, but also represent service level and respect for guests.
"Don't they know what comfort is?"
He asks angrily in the video, as if he has been greatly wronged.
From the strict security check at the airport, to the language barrier in taxis, to the "hard bed" in the hotel, a series of cultural clashes eventually converged into a huge negative emotion, leaving the France tourist full of disappointment and disgust with China.
"Chinese are crazy!"
"I'll never set foot here again!"
He blamed Chinese culture and Chinese for his 20-hour unpleasant experience in China, and vented his frustration on social media in extremely aggressive language.
**Chinese netizens: angry "foreign adults", the awakening of cultural self-confidence**
As soon as this video came out, it caused a lot of repercussions on the Chinese Internet.
A large number of Chinese netizens poured into the comment section and fiercely responded to the France tourist's words.
"Why do we need to speak English?
Do France know Chinese? ”
I went to France, the thief was quite particular, he took the money without saying hello, and left without saying thank you when he got it.
"Dude, in which village did you get off the plane?"
"He thought he was a foreign uncle!
Everybody has to nod to him!
Very lost! ”
Although these comments are full of ridicule and irony, they also reflect the growing cultural self-confidence and patriotic feelings of Chinese netizens in the new era.
They are no longer groveling to foreigners, as they have done in the past, but dare to stand up and defend their culture and dignity.
It's okay for foreigners to come or not, don't think of yourself as a foreigner N years ago. The French Concession is long gone, and when you come to China, you have to abide by Chinese laws and rules.
This netizen's comment really hit the nail on the head and got to the crux of the matter.
In the past, the Western powers opened the door to China with strong ships and cannons, divided concessions on Chinese land, and acted recklessly and oppressed the people.
Today, China is no longer the weak country that is slaughtered by others, and the Chinese people have stood up and become the masters of their own country.
The "foreign-adult" mentality of this France tourist is obviously outdated.
Of course, some netizens expressed understanding of the France tourist's experience, believing that it was just a misunderstanding caused by cultural differences.
"Maybe he just doesn't understand Chinese culture, and we can try to look at it with a more inclusive mindset."
Hopefully, he can get rid of his prejudices and really get to know China.
The voices of these netizens show the beautiful qualities of Chinese people who love peace and treat others kindly.
They did not deny all foreigners because of the France tourist's radical remarks, but hoped to resolve misunderstandings and barriers between them through communication and understanding.
**From Cases to Commonalities: The Roots of Cultural Conflict and the Way to Resolve Them**
The France tourist's "trip to China", although short but full of drama, also reflects the universality and complexity of the cultural conflict in the world today.
Nowadays, globalization is getting deeper and deeper, and exchanges between different cultures are becoming more and more frequent, but there are also more and more contradictions and conflicts that come with it.
In essence, cultural conflict is the contradiction and friction between different cultural systems due to differences in values, ways of thinking, behavioral norms, etc.
To resolve cultural conflicts, we must first recognize and respect the differences of various cultures.
Each culture has its own characteristics and significance, and no one is more noble or inferior than the other.
We cannot measure the culture of others by the ruler of our own culture, nor can we impose our own culture on others.
Second, cross-cultural communication and understanding should be strengthened.
By learning each other's languages, histories, cultures, etc., we can increase understanding, eliminate misunderstandings, and reduce friction.
Finally, be inclusive and rational.
When encountering cultural differences, learn to think from the other person's point of view, rather than blindly blaming and criticizing.
The France tourist's experience in China, although just one example, reminds us of the importance of understanding and respect when dealing with people from different cultural backgrounds.
Only by embracing the world with an open mind can we build a picture of civilization of harmonious coexistence.
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