Coming to terms with a change of culture

Charlie (US)

During family gatherings you are expected to eat everything the host prepares, even if the food is something you would never touch, otherwise you will be blamed for being impolite. I found that in China there is less individualism, and an individual's choice is not respected as it is in the west. My Chinese friends insist on putting more food on my plate even though I told them I am full and don't need anything else.

Foreign staffs are having dinner during the Lunar Chinese New Year Eve of 2003, Haikou, Hainan province. [Photo/IC]