中国礼仪

This is a an article that I wrote about Chinese Etiquette. I'd love to hear any comments.


谈中国文化的礼仪非谈儒家思想的重男轻女观念不可。据我所知这个观念属于中国文化的奠基石之一。从盘古和女娲时重男轻女的意识就存在。我可以花很多时间在这个话题上但是我只想提到花木兰的故事来说明这个主题。虽然花木兰的故事是一个故事而已,它还说明这个重男轻女的观念,只有男孩可以为国家战斗而女孩的位置就是在家里。文化与礼仪很相同也不可能分开。这个重点也出现于中国家庭计划机制。假设中国是一个重女轻男的国家,中国的礼仪会发生什么变化?中国文化的历史悠久,比任何别的民族长得多。宗教对于中国文化的影响特别深。比方说佛教不是中国发明的宗教,而是从西元前100年左右从丝绸之路传过来的。现在这个佛教对于中国文化影响很深。道教也对于中国文化有影响。现代中国人都了解佛教和道教的基本原则,也可能自己去拜拜他们的祖先。我自己对佛教道教并不了解太多,但是我知道中国传统的概念就存在一个多神教的基础。这也影响中国文化的迷信性的礼仪。比较中国人遵守中国文化与美国人遵守他们的文化来讲我自己觉得中国人与传统礼义的了解好像是先天的,他们理解为什么就是这样为什么不是这样。但是美国人就是无缘无故地遵守他们的礼仪,也并不是因为他们理解为什么而去做。
我最不了解的中国礼仪可能跟死亡有关。家人需要穿一种特别的颜色,也需要为了帮助过世的人走到天堂念经给尸体听。一开始我是想家人会穿白色衣服, 但是我也看过人穿着黄色衣服,可能这是因为我还没接触过很多葬礼, 也不了解一些情况。
婚礼,对于中国人来将是非常重要而特别的吉利。姑娘会穿红色的衣服, 客人会送红包, 大家也会喝喜酒。我知道在很久以前姑娘会被大家抬到家。

Why I love Redbox

Redbox is the smartest business idea in the world! Everyone hates having to rent a movie for almost $5 when they paid $7.50 to see it in the theatre. No wonder blockbuster video is going under! How many times have you watched a rented movie more than once in a rental period? Okay...for all you parents out there, renting kids shows and showing them to your kids day after day doesn't count. Redbox is ingenious! Only $1 for one nights rental! Another cool thing about redbox is that you can get free rentals via an e-mail promo code. All you have to do is sign up on their website by giving them your e-mail address! FREE RENTAL? That's unheard of!! It's true though, I have done it several times. Here's another great part of Redbox--you have to pay with a credit/debit card. So--if I rent a movie using a promo code with my Mastercard, I can use the same promo code with my Visa card because they aren't affiliated. So think of the possibilities...if you have a couple of credit/debit cards you get a couple of free rentals with each promo code! With all these free movies though, how will Redbox stay in business? Loyalty and a cheap price for something that is in high demand. I'll never go to Blockbuster again!

One bad thing about Redbox that I think they can improve on would be to not only show new releases but also show other popular videos or TV series that are popular like 24 or Lost.

With a company like this, I don't know how other movie rental companies will stay afloat.