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Since we can travel around the world and visit different countries, people noticed cultural differences that are here to this day. That is what makes traveling fun, to change your usual setting with something new and unexplored. 

Yang Liu a young artist from Beijing currently living in Germany illustrates the social and cultural differences between her Eastern and Western worlds in her project “Ost trifft West,” or “East Meets West,” which conveys a strong message on the differences she personally experienced.

"Ost trifft West" is a series of infographic posters that compare German and Chinese people in accurate and humorous ways. The infographics highlight important human elements such as self-perception, opinion expression, and mood.

So without further ado, we invite you to explore the differences captured by this incredibly observant artist.

More info: yangliudesign.com | amazon.com

#1

The Boss

The Boss

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If you wonder how Yang Liu gathered information, such as whether she used interviews, research, or theories, her reply is this: “The fact is that every single illustration is my very personal experience in the past 13-17 years, and this work was made as a documentation of my own life,” she said. As an artist who was raised in multiple cultures, she doesn’t feel like she belongs to any of them: “I am feeling myself more as a person who belongs to all the places I have been,” says Liu.

#3

Expressing Opinion

Expressing Opinion

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Alexander
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a german I can deeply relate. Whats the thing about Smalltalk or talking around the bush in soooo many countries? If you have to say something then do it and not let me guess what you really mean.......why wasting time? *sight*

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Sure, we are all aware of cultural differences around the world, such as social norms, family structure, religion, cuisine, and the more day-to-day ones that Liu has depicted in her illustrations. Historical, geographic, economic, and social factors are just some of the ones that form differences in the way we perceive and interact with the world around us.

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#4

Standing In A Line

Standing In A Line

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#5

Attitude Towards Punctuality

Attitude Towards Punctuality

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Nerp
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The title East vs West is so inaccurate. Lots of Western countries are not punctual (Spain) and most Eastern countries are extremely punctual (Korea)

Martine Remmelzwaal
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It isn't east vs west, it is Germany vs China as it says in the description. But yea the title BP added is confusing (isn't it always...)

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Cro
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Foreign living in Germany. They told me that if you come on time you are already late 😅. As Italian you would generally expect people to arrive 20-30 minutes AFTER the agreed time

Holly Benedict
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

By bf who was from Germany would take any measure of time very literally, meanwhile I'm from the United States Midwest and we have the midwest minute which is an incalculable measurement of time which drove him insane

notreallyraine (they/them)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol the Midwest minute is the perfect way to describe it. "Just a minute" could be anywhere between 15 seconds and a few hours 💀💀

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Andrei Marentette
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly, I'm more of a hybrid between both. I want people to be on time, but i dont care if they're like 10-15 minutes early/late

Kioh81
Community Member
Premium
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hahaha we call it Asian time. It's a theoretical time of start. Unless you are going to work. Parties or social gatherings.... Hahahaha people will show up even 2-3 hours late and no one bats an eye. Our parties are marathons.

Verena
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. Too early = impolite, especially for private invitations. Later than 5 min too late = not done

Yimo ZHOU
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you suggesting that most/a lot of Chinese people have no punctuality? This isn't accurate AT ALL.

censorshipsucks
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same in Africa. People in corporate sector are fussy about punctuality, but outside of that time is just meh.

Thrudd
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Something the head of sales once told me. You can be up to 10 minutes early without seeming overeager but never more than 3 minutes late.

Sarah S
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm very Germany if something is later in the day and very China if it's early.

Bee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Definitely Germany. I don't like being late. I also don't like when I have to wait on ppl who are constantly late. It's inconsiderate

Ray Thompson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that is Germany vs China and not East vs west. If it were Italy and Japan , it would be opposite

Zac T
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmm, if you are south Asian - just give an extra hour on both sides and that would be spot on! An invite to a wedding at 6pm means, maybe start getting ready around 6pm!

Jackson Sharpe
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am generally at least 15 minutes early everywhere. If I am late, it will ruin my whole mood/day.

Livi David
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being from two countries (UK and Greece) that see punctuality completely differently I can appreciate both views and I think both have their pros and cons. :)

Lindy Mac
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The red side clock would be fine... there are countries, which shall remain nameless, where people are HOURS late.

Ruth Collins
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some professors in China lock the door at the precise time for the test, but few in the U.S. do......

Zuzana Necasova
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ireland is western and supposed to be on the left side but with punctuality it is extremely on the right side, if they say two minutes, it means two hours. You can’t rely on them at all.

Mine Truly
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Punctuality literally means "point." Show up at my house at 12:00. Not at 11:55, I'm still tidying up. Not at 12:10, you clearly don't respect my time or prioritize spending your time hanging out with me. More than a 60 second variance proves you are a mess who didn't figure out how to get places on time like everyone else and is surely an immature wreck in all other aspects of life. -- what I always think to myself when trying to arrive on time

Natalie H
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mystery explained: I’ve inherited the punctuality of my eastern ancestors. I can officially tell my peeps it’s in my DNA & I have no control 😉

girlsrock4ever
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a term for this called Desi Standard Time in India for this, except it's ALWAYS late.

HogHedge
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not Japan. Be on time. Or even early. Koreans are punctual too.

Jane W.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Grew up among Germans in Minnesota. I learned to get everywhere 5 minutes early.

Janet Graham
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The boss always sees it as blue, and the workers always see it as red. Especially in the red for those with long commutes.

Celine RM
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most of the time, I am China 😂 I am supposed somewhere to be at 11:30? I LEAVE MY HOUSE at 11:30 ngl-- The only exception for this is medical appointments and exams, where I can be ready to go up to an hour before I actually need to. Everything else... I can't do this, sorry, I'm terrible at playing the punctuality game.

Mariele Scherzinger
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Germany, this might be true for official appointments. On a private level, I can assure you that most people these days have a very lax attitude towards punctuality.

Albreht Dornan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That usually works this way, but due to obvious circumstances when you have to go around the city for the whole day.

Daniel Gardini
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You think German is bad! In Switzerland, if you don’t show up 15 min earlier than the agreed time, you are considered late!

zMajci
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Trust me German punctuality is more of a myth now :) especially in DB contex

Aykut Yazgan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i think: nr 2 to nr 5 schould read: germany and italy/ greece/ turkey...

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When moving to a new country, no matter how close or far from your home, the beginning can be quite challenging and time-consuming. In order to adapt might require some adjusting to a new culture and adopting its values, beliefs, customs, and behaviors. Building new relationships and keeping an open mind is the right way to start.

In Liu’s illustrations’ on one side, we might recognize ourselves more than on the other one, and it might raise questions: what else is different? How does that affect our mental health? Could I maybe learn new things and include them in my life to make it easier? 

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What do you, Pandas, think when seeing Liu’s depiction? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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#10

Noise Level At The Restaurant

Noise Level At The Restaurant

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Headless Roach
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*noise level everywhere in China. Chinese cities are full of sounds coming out of absolutely everywhere.

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#13

Self Perception

Self Perception

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Hannah M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People, this isn't saying that Chinese have low self-esteem or don't value themselves. It's comparing the individualism of the West to the collective mindset of the East. To a westerner the self is the primary consideration; in the east the self is a small part of the wider community

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#14

Cultural Perceptions: Germans vs. Chinese

Cultural Perceptions: Germans vs. Chinese

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#15

At A Party

At A Party

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BlueEyesWhiteDragon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm one of the little lonely dots on the German side. I would say I wish I lived on the circle side, but I would probably get overwhelmed by my nearest dots and try to leave early.

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#17

Three Meals A Day

Three Meals A Day

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Lyone Fein
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More variety in Germany? Oh no, I get it. Cold and hot meals. Ok.

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#18

Contacts And Connections

Contacts And Connections

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#19

Cure For Stomach Ache

Cure For Stomach Ache

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#21

Lifestyle: Independent vs. Dependent

Lifestyle: Independent vs. Dependent

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Autistic McWolferson the Forth
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So basically "disappoint your family in any way and be disowned" in China. No real chance to develop your own genuine personality in a world like that

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#22

Ideal Of Beauty

Ideal Of Beauty

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Ian Reynolds
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this to do with skin colour or tone? Germans prefer darker skin and Chinese prefer lighter skin tones? If it is not, I don’t get it.

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