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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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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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#12

Mood And Weather

Mood And Weather

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

I need one with the sun and a sad face. I hate summer and too sunny weather :D.

Alicia M
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am exactly the same. If I could live anywhere, I would move somewhere that had 50⁰F temperatures with gray skies and rain most the time. I also love snow. I avoid hot weather and the sun like the plague.

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

Arizona resident here. Western but backwards -- frownie in the sun, happy in rain.

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

Tucson resident here and I feel the opposite. But I moved here for the weather. Cold/rain causes my pain to get way worse.

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

Any day the earth is still spinning and people still exists is a fairly good day, tbh; good enough for me. It's already quite magical that our planet manages to exist in a goldilocks zone...and that humans are here at all, is pretty awesome too.

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

Rain in Finland and rain in Asian countries can't be compared. Monsoon rain is warm and after rain comes more warm. Rain in Finland gives a damp cold chill that you feel in your bones.

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

oh, i love the rain. the smell of it, the beauty of it falling on the ground, getting to bundle up in warm clothes... it's beautiful!

Iris E
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sun makes me (from Iceland) depressed. Gives me "shouldism"

Alicia M
Community Member
10 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know I'm in the minority but I absolutely love the rain and gray, overcast skies. I will stay indoors if it's a sunny day. Being in the sun instantly hurts my eyes, makes my head hurt, and I always have to sneeze, repeatedly.

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

Most Germans will know the phrase "Du bist doch nicht aus Zucker" (you're not made from sugar), which I imagine is like "You're not the Wicked Witch of the West" (who perishes when she gets wet). Generally, people still live an outdoorsy life here in Germany, regardless of the weather. We just dress appropriately.

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

I have a bad back and I swear to God, bad weather really increases my pain and stiffness 😞 if it wasn't for that I wouldn't mind the rain. I used to enjoy it and thunderstorms but now it sucks.

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

As a garden owner I am usually glad when it rains, especially in later years when it is more seldom and trees seem to suffer in summer.

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

This is not true, I born in China currently living in Singapore. Most Asian doesn't like rainy day

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

I also don't like rain. Actually visual impact is beautiful, just don't like the cloudy weather and coldness after rain

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

Depending on where you are in China, you could be looking at a whole lot of rain or not very much rain at all

The Veil of Fire
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone has different moods for different weather. I love cold dislike hot so of course I live in an extremely hot rarely cold location.

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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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