Chemistry B
494332021 陳柏安
494332162 周哲緯
494332186 吳啟誠
494332473 顏銘宏

National Progress and Cross-Cultural Influence

       Cultural shock is a phenomenon that takes place everywhere when people are traveling.   Because of the progress of information, it shortens the distance between countries and the intercultural exchanges are more frequent. On the contrary, it is not easy to adjust to a new culture. For instance, people in Taiwan use chopsticks to eat, but when eating in Italian or fast food restaurant, they have to use fork and knife. Chinese restaurants used to supply steamed buns and soy-bean milk for breakfast in the past, but now we eat sandwich and drink tea with milk. This change is influenced by outside cultures. The influence brought in by alien culture depends on how we face it. If we adjust to the right one, it can make our culture more colorful；on the contrary, if we can not handle well, our culture may disappear. Flat Pu clan in ancient Taiwan is such an example. After they and the Hans intermarried, they were assimilated gradually and became so-called aboriginals in Taiwan. Their living style now is similar to most islanders in Taiwan, although we can still appreciate their art works and traditions which are important features of these tribes.

       Taiwan is an island. A lot of foreigners make a return journey since the great navigation era. We have buildings of a lot of influence from different countries including Chinese architecture since the mainstream rulers came from mainland China in 1940s. In addition, because transportation is more convenient between Taiwan and Japan, Taiwanese culture is also influenced by Japan. Because of foreigners' arrival like Japanese and Europeans, they make our culture change to some extent. For instance, many young people are fans of sports and western music. On the other hand, civilian services and military affairs also follow the western systems which are recognized advanced and well-developed. However, the conservative China is still thinking it is strong and powerful, but does not know the external world has already been different from before. This ignorance makes them suffer from the dismembering of big power like the U.S.

       According to history of various countries, we find cultural shock might not be a bad thing. The one that we should watch over is how we face it. If we accept foreign cultures totally, we will be assimilated. If we study the merits of other cultures and give up our own shortcomings, then we will progress, and produce a better culture. So we should not be afraid of in contact with foreign cultures. Instead, we attempt hard to find out why they are strong but we are weak. We study their merits and we can make our culture develop well.

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