Do Chinese students make an effort to integrate themselves into British society?

Question

I was wondering your opinions on this, because in my area they just cut themselves off. They all hang around only with each other, always speaking Chinese. They shop at the Chinese supermarket and club together to buy expensive cars which they can neither insure nor drive properly. I've seen many driving rudely and dangerously.

I don't consider myself a racist person, all of these are observations. I don't care if people immigrate here, but shouldn't they make an effort to at least join the culture they're staying in a bit?
Thanks for your time.

Answer 1

Common contentions arise from the lack of language fluency, culture shock from cultural diversity and being open to different ways of thinking, with the simplest of differences often overlooked despite the best of intentions.


Typical Oriental beliefs are enmeshed and intertwined in domestic affairs, business, religion, philosophy, notions of right and wrong and so on, which surfaces in the tenacity of the unconscious mind that exerts responses as second to nature.

From an anthropological perspective, characteristics of tribes that do not venture afield, retain largely close cultures that place large reliance on a central authority where it is largely taboo to question. In generalisation, conservative societies with laconic wit tempered by years of following dogma over genuine exploratory inquisitiveness, are characterised in reserved nature regardless the tribe. A closed belief system perpetuates itself. Speculatively, reserved characteristics of Victorians are similar to that of the Chinese.

One of many similar archetypes presented in the way of living in post communist era - in that one way is the one and only right way. In speculation as a society and culture, there is more repression than ex-soviet states, so much so that the peasant in Monty Python’s Holy Grail shouting “Help! Help! I’m being repressed!” is less than a whisper.

In digressing to illustrate assumed common modalities of communication, one tribe may encourage large arm movements, regards loud and lively noises as hearty conversation, a gregarious swagger, all of which encompasses gestures of friendliness at social occasions to be expected, can cause differences to arise.

Interpreted in opposition, another tribe views large arm movements as threatening machismo display of physical forearm strength, the body swagger as preparation before the storm, with the loud chants announcing hostile intention to the world.

Same body language, entirely different interpretation. What more of the spoken language, traditions and customs?

Fine dining customs in some countries regard rudeness when the guest does not finish a meal. In others, a guest’s bowl is expected to retain some food regardless of the meal being satisfactorily finished, to indicate to the host that the guests has not gone hungry, regardless the evidence and polite decline by the guest. Meaning from customs in Hong Kong or China further describes that to leave the smallest amount of food, will bring a year of plentiful in the New Year. Imagine a traditional Japanese culture which is honorific in many ways. The slightest gesture and word intonation signifies something.

At face value, the purpose of travelling here when they can mix socially in their country of origin, appear and is self defeating.

To attempt explaining the laconic and lack of interest in what happens around them, a recollection of the host country’s average wealth of families is different. Where two to four hundred quid could easily feed, house and clothe a family of four for a month in China, it hardly covers rent and utilities in London, let alone cost of transportation and food.

Rationally, a student’s objective is to complete their studies and commence work upon graduation, as would most people placed under those circumstances. Financially, they are without interest free loans and grants to support them from their country of origin. Time wise, where a gap year is afforded to some, they have no such privilege.

Awareness of the simple differences, of a second world in overall country wealth, third world in terms of development of knowledge available to the ex-communist proletariats, makes all to easy a perilous gulf overlooked even by the best of diplomats.

The above only serves to highlight the importance of both the Host country's people, the extra mile to be hospitable to put at ease what must appear a very different world, to a Guest who should be no less respectful of local customs and practises.

Answer 2

I am british I don't need to ''integrate''. All my ancestry is British and....? Muslims live, study, work in the UK just like everyone else. You want to view it that we are not integrated to suit your own bigotry does not make it fact. Only your personally opinion which lets face it does not count for a hill of beans. Please list what people need to do to be ''Integrated'' in your opinion? Please list the things hindus and sikhs are doing that Muslims don't? Go on humour me? I have no issue at all with being British because I am British, British people are Muslims too you know **News flash** YES I know how dare we white born, bred, raised Brits use our British democratic right to choose any faith we want? How dare we I mean its not like our grandparents did not die for that right or anything did they? Its not like they shook hands with hitler and invited him into the UK to tell us who could live, who dies, what we could read, believe or worship is it? Get over yourself and get a life. How much do the BNP pay you to come here spreading hate anyway? Just curious?

Answer 3

I think chinkies are a pretty harmless crowd compared with the scrounging muslim cranks.
We arent swamped by the chinkies, theyre always decent , polite and clean.Most of them are interested in furthering their education.I admit that many of them dont speak english.But in fairness, because they are by and large a small minority in britain ,they are marginalised.They work 18hours/day in restaurants etc so have very little time for learning our language.
Unlike muslims, who dont work and still dont learn our language.
Credit to the chinese, they are for one, one of the few minorities that i can tolerate here, as long as numbers dont swell too much.
I thinkl the muslims should take a leaf out of the chinese book .
ie be clean, work for a living, learn the language , respect britain and its inhabitants

Answer 4

If they are students then they are temporary visitors & so it does not matter that they do not integrate at all. I have to say though, I can't see the point of studying in another country if you don't sample local life !

Answer 5

You have to understand that the Chinese consider themselves to be a very superior people.

Thats why they can hardly bring themselves to serve you in their Restaurants. Ever seen a smiling Chinese waiter?

Churchill wasnt it who said "Beware the Yellow Peril".......

Answer 6

Do they have to integrate? As long as they respect the laws of the country, it's fine with me.

Answer 7

1

Answer 8

if they don't they can go back to china

Answer 9

no