Even the world has been globalized .I think that there is still significant cultural differences between The Orient and The Occident. One of the good examples is the breakfast. The Eastern people tend to eat breakfast abundantly while Western people have tendency to eat breakfast simply
Not only this. I believe there's more examples to prove that the East and the west have cultural differences :) Let's share ~
I think that cultures become more individualistic as per capita income increases. People can now afford their own space, and so they become less communitarian as a result. When you have 4 people sharing the same bedroom, you can't be very individualistic.
The West used to be much more communitarian, before widespread industrialization. And now in more developed parts of Asia you're seeing more individualism in the cities (where the income levels are higher). So I'm not sure if it's an East/West thing really.
Personally I think a blend of both is nice. Communitarian cultures offer lots of support and comfort, but can become controlling. Individualism allows for a lot more freedom and creativity, but can become pure selfishness.
I think there is some problem in categorically dividing the world into West and East.
You can't just put all "eastern" countries together and label the East.
How do you define West and East anyway??? On what grounds??
For example, in Japan, communitiy ties are becoming loose than ever because more and more people prefer an individualistic outlook on life esp. in cities. In the countryside, people tend to be much more conservative and traditional. In big cities like Tokyo, young couples hold their hands with no problem. Japan has diversity, in and of itself. I'm pretty sure other countries do.
A difference I find quite funny are the different opinions of beauty. In the West, dark skin is highly sought after by both men and women. Our desire for dark skin has led to a variety of methods to achieve a tan such as tanning beds, spray on tans, and sunbathing. However, in the East, a pale complexion is considered beauty. Lotions to reverse UV reactions can be found in the beauty aisle in department stores and the colors of sun umbrellas paint a beautiful picture in the streets.
Western culture based upon individualism and self contentedness. Humanitarian sacrificies, family values and community contentedness is more important things in the eastern culture. Because of this all the rules use more effectively in the west than east. It would be best if eastern life culture have mixed western work culture.
There is much less class (status) recognition in the west, which extends to respect (or lack of) for elders etc etc (egalitarian society).
