Why do Chinese people think that Americans would feel insulted/offended about criticisms of the US government?

Question

The point is that they seem to *think* the "answering back" about the US or Australian government is going to offend me, whereas in fact I welcome any criticisms about those governments. I have no problem with generalizations per se (because they are necessary to an extent and we all make them).... it really depends on *what* the generalization is. It's a case-by-case assessment. If a person has a problem with a particular generalization, they are welcome to explain why.

Answer 1

Firstly, answering your question, Americans and Australians DO get insulted when others criticise their government. I know a few Americans and Australians who are exactly like that. So obviously the Chinese will feel the same way.

There's nothing worng with generalisations,in my opinion, but they must be sufficiently justified and supported with substantial reasons. If generalisations are so called supported with lame, childish or sweeping statements, then i'm sorry, you've got no right to generalise.  

Answer 2

why do you love to generalize?

Answer 3

You can surely criticize the government, and I am sure many Chinese do so as well. But I think many Chinese people feel insulted/offended when the criticisms become racism when their comments turn from against the government to personally insults.

I personally experienced this because sometimes when I get into a debate with someone who appears to criticize the Chinese government, but ends up cussing at me and says im a spy or whatever.    

Answer 4

The Chinese like most people think the rest of the world thinks the same way they do.  In China, to criticise the government is to get run over by a tank or something.  They also think they can do things like putting melamine in dog food and god knows what in heparin.  Basically they think Americans are stupid, and the scary thing is they are generally right about that.  

Answer 5

the great chinese emperor can't be  criticized

Answer 6

Cultural misunderstandings. To criticize another people in front of others causes that person to lose face in Chinese culture. The Chinese think that if you do criticize someone that it is done in a polite way with the person out of public view.

If it is done in public depending on how bad it was will cause the one of them to hold a grudge against the other. For example the boss tried to criticize one of the Ph.D students for this work at a group meting, the student told the boss that he was wrong they argue but in a polite way but they were both pissed off with each other. The boss 9 times out of 10 buys us dinner because the group meetings are on a Saturday morning and they end at like noon. This time around the Boss nor the student went to dinner because they told not to.

This is the same then they criticize other countries, they think it any differentness would be solved though dialogue and not criticising each other.

Edit: In other words he was generalising like you are now, but at the same time he was criticising some Americans girls behaviour. It is rather much the same then Americans say why do the Chinese blah blah blah and not why do some Chinese or why does do some people in the Chinese government blah blah. Can you understand why some Chinese people get p*ssed off and answer back, but the USA does blah n blah.

Edit 2: Ok, a simple answer to your question its all down to a culture clash. USA is not like China and China not like the USA. All this is down to history.

Answer 7

My impression from what I see in the media (And I watch a broad range of progrmmes and read a broad range of newspapers/magazines and think of myself as fairly non political) get the impression that America (and of course that does not mean ALL Americas!) does not like to be criticised for its politics of govermnent even by its own people. I have read numerouse cases of journalists (American ones) being called un-american for criticising and non american ones beign called anti-american just for criticisign the government policies. This seems fairly widespread and not a random incident. I'm just saying that's the impression as I see it so can see why other countries (not just the Chinese) would say that.

Answer 8

Coz we asians think

that your country are superior than us..

and we don't want WAR..

we want peace and love then fu^k...