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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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#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

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

What? How did you jump to this conclusion? What does that mean? Because Chinese have stronger family bonds they can't develop a personality?

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

It's unfortunate that society everywhere isn't like the chinese one in this department. Like my extended family, that are willing to kill anyone, even their own mother just to get 1 more euro/dollar... bloody thieves...

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

Westerners and especially Anglos tend not to have a strong family support system. If you make it, you’re making it on your own. With Eastern and even Traditional Hispanic-Latin cultures, the family bond is strong. It’s all for one and one for all. They will pool their money and sacrifice for each other to start a business. Then when that person becomes successful, they give back to raise another to be successful. The Pilipino culture is one I’ve witnessed do this. It’s something I’ve always respected.

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

I think too many people confuse independent with alone. You can be independent and still rely on people. After all, nobody can do everything.

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

I wish people understood this! I can't speak for Germany because I don't live there, but from personal experience in the US, I think the focus on individualism is very isolating. The number of things we're supposed to know (do your research!), the implied notion that asking for help is a weakness, the shade we give kids for living at home past college, the disdain for parents who aren't 24/7 eyes on their kid... Everyone is supposed to go live in their own little pods and be perfectly successful. Anything less is socialism.

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

yeah, we have become so alienated and lied to into this individualistic to the point it's toxic culture. We're meant to stick together as a species, but under capitalism we're supposed to all be sad little lone wolves

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

Its not capitalism for pete sake Get some common sense Capitalism decreases poverty Communism increases it

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H Nunya
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

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

I could agree, but only to a degree. The west may be less dependent on family, but not totally isolated.

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

It's just how they work, the individual & social way..... 😎 & 🤖

anniee 28
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you are gonna be kicked out of the house if you got A but not with a plus in math

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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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