ADVERTISEMENT

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

yangliudesign Report

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.

RELATED:
    #3

    Expressing Opinion

    Expressing Opinion

    yangliudesign Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    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*

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    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.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #4

    Standing In A Line

    Standing In A Line

    yangliudesign Report

    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? 

    ADVERTISEMENT

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

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Noise Level At The Restaurant

    Noise Level At The Restaurant

    yangliudesign Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    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.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #13

    Self Perception

    Self Perception

    yangliudesign Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    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

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #14

    Cultural Perceptions: Germans vs. Chinese

    Cultural Perceptions: Germans vs. Chinese

    yangliudesign Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #15

    At A Party

    At A Party

    yangliudesign Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    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.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #17

    Three Meals A Day

    Three Meals A Day

    yangliudesign Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    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.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #18

    Contacts And Connections

    Contacts And Connections

    yangliudesign Report

    #19

    Cure For Stomach Ache

    Cure For Stomach Ache

    yangliudesign Report

    #21

    Lifestyle: Independent vs. Dependent

    Lifestyle: Independent vs. Dependent

    yangliudesign Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    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

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #22

    Ideal Of Beauty

    Ideal Of Beauty

    yangliudesign Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    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.

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

    It is. Asian beauty ideals (including Korea, Japan etc ) say that lighter, whiter skin tones are more beautiful (though it is, albeit slowly, starting to change)

    Load More Replies...
    Lu
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Asia if you have darker skin (even if genetically) it’s implied that you’re a manual laborer like a farmer who works outside. So that’s looked down before, nowadays I don’t think it’s a think but young women will avoid direct sunlight and you will rarely find people sunbathing like us westerners.

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

    Am I the only one that sees an angry face with the bikinis? Time for me to visit the psychologist for this LOL

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

    That was the 1st thing I saw and i thought i was just cranky but it turns out im cranky AND bitter.

    Load More Replies...
    D Gibson
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In China a dark tan suggests the person does field labor for a living. The dark tan in Germany suggests the person has lots of money and goes on lots of holidays in sun spots around the world.

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

    At Great Wall, Chinese teen boys asked to pose with my blond wife, 3 times their age.

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

    It's about tanning. Tanned skin used to be a sign of working class labour (in the sun) in the 19th century: only rich ppl could keep their skin pale. Then when foreign holidays became popular with air travel in the C.20th, a tan became a sign of wealth. Unfortunately,in many countries where darker skin is the norm , young women risk all sorts of damage to lighten their skin.

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

    Same in Africa. White people tan themselves to look brown, and African people use skin lighteners on themselves to look whiter. Sad how we can't accept ourselves as we are, and how we as Africans idealise whiteness. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-02-15-beyond-the-pale-the-noxious-history-of-skin-lightening-creams-in-south-africa-still-haunts-us/

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

    This is so racist. People of the same culture doesn't mean they have the same perceptions of beauty.

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

    Reverse racism is still racism. The correct analogy would have both puppets the same colour, but the Chinese one in a one-piece bathingsuit.

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

    in Chin light, Shiny skin apparently makes you better. and in Germany most Germans love dark skin and tans.

    Ann M Clinkscales
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right! The Chinese who are pale are viewed as higher class because they don't have to work in the fields, or outside. In most of the US and European countries, we view vacations and suntans for people who can afford lavish trips and beach vacations. I worked in China for a year and would go help families working outside to show my appreciation for them taking me in and showing me around! The families would get me sunscreen, using their hard earned money on me! They would spend their money on me versus on their family to try to keep me looking like upper class! It took me a while to figure out why they did that! They were very special and kind people!!

    Annora Viola
    Community Member
    12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I agree with the Germans. Light bikini reflects back the sunlight so that the heat isn't absorbed 👏

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

    In China and other Asian countries women like to keep their skin pale and pearly. No tan!

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

    Hmmmm. Everyone saying this has to do with tans....I think this could mean Germans wear clothing and expect that others recognize their outer appearance over their true selves. Chinese wear clothing as a necessity, their true beauty is underneath. The facade is not as important? Lol it's a stretch

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

    it's not the skin color, it's just the contrast of the colors. it means that it is the same beauty standards

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

    The only way I think that the Germans would prefer a darker skin tone was if that skin is usually fair - but now tanned due to a Suncation!

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

    Tanned skin is beautiful vs. keeping skin creamy white out of the sun is beautiful.

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

    Tan is beautiful vs. keeping skin creamy white out of the sun is beautiful

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

    It's about beauty perception. Europeans like tanned skin, Asians like it fair. It's reflected in the cosmetics industry. Products to bleach your skin are still quite popular in Asia (not only China). For Asians used to show social status- if dark, you're a field worker.

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

    I think, the black part is what people focus on as beuty. Western focuses on people it self. Eastern focuses on how people look like.

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

    Hmm. My take: beauty in the west is more focused on materialistic things you put on your body, where in the east, beauty is your actual body and less about the materials you have on it. *Shrug*

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

    As a dark skinned African woman, I have been warned that if i travel to Asian or middle eastern countries i will experience significant racism 😞😞

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

    I think this refers to the fact that westerners like to get tans. Like as in at the beach. Tanning salons. In the east they definitely do not, at least amongst the higher class.

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

    I thought this was about whether people like bodies or the clothes better lol

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

    I think it means that Germans prefer fuller bodies (while the Chinese prefer slimmer, lithe bodies). The former tend to go for less "skimpy" bikini bottoms, while the Chinese prefer more "thong-like" ones?

    Killing_Time_At_Work
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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

    Chinese ppl will literally have an umbrella out on a cloudy day while in the shade of a tree: reason as explained to me by a Chinese person: "because darker skin means peasantry and lower class" it's literally about racism. Don't believe me? Read a Chinese newspaper and look for the comics section. They... Hate... Dark... Skinned... People. Don't know why. They just do. And I mean haaaate...

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

    Dude, that’s a pretty messed up perception and stereotype of EVERY single Chinese person.

    Load More Replies...
    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda