Ironically some of the comments in this section more or less proves his point. It's obviously a light hearted look at cultural misunderstandings and what happens in those moments - not a reason to feel the need to stump up and 'defend' a culture. It's fascinating some people thought the old woman in the story must be 'mad' - she just sounds amusing, incredibly human and warm hearted. Good for her.
Absolutely I also experience the same when I was new to western culture. I get up and want to give old women my set but she denied and I was shock coz in my culture I did big thing for her, I mean It was from my heart and had big respect for her but when she denied 😂 it was quite awkward after while but Chinese women made bit more comfortable the situation and I like it.
Having friends from other cultures makes me more creative. In fresh ways about space and how people create their own world and environment. It is best way to connect between creative thinking and cross cultural relationships
As a Chinese, NEVER heard about this behaviour. In China, if we meet this case, we mainly will feel shocked, weird and even be offended. We are educated leave the seats to old people and people who need help in our culture. I'm not sure if the reaction of the woman is from her village culture or just some individual "joke".
In my personal experience the people from Chinese villages do a lot of weird stuff like allowing kids to poop on the street and disturbing private space
This really hit me hard. I just realized the difference among the different perspectives that collide when helping or rewarding the weakest or the strongest. I have seen these actions and learned about them, but only from my country’s point of view. Is pretty interesting to know how other people think. And thank you very much! I really appreciated your video!
Wow, this is one of the greatest Ted Talk I've watched! Merci pour ton humour, ta sensibilité, la finesse, ton empathie. On en a besoin dans le monde! Je suis née au Québec et je vis présentement au Pérou. Si je pouvais trouver un fruit pour la culture du Québec, je dirais une pomme, car d'abord il y a tellement de couleurs, de saveurs et de différentes variétés. Pour la culture du Pérou, je dirais la papaye, car la pelure est vraiment mince (boundaries!!!). Pour terminer, je travaille en ligne avec des étudiants d'un peu partout dans le monde car j'enseigne l'anglais langue seconde. La plupart de mes élèves souhaitent gagner en confiance dans leur expression orale afin de voyager et d'ouvrir des portes au niveau professionnel. Merci, je vais leur partager la vidéo et en discuter avec eux!
It's impossible for that old Chinese woman to sit on him! As a Chinese, I argued that most people would be appreciated for him leaving the seat, although there may be some unpleasant behaviour conducted by some people, such as not expressing thanks. Also, we welcome people in their own cultural background and many foreigners come to China to prepare for personal success. We would not be surprised when looking a foreigner with long hair on arms. I could not doubt that he once left his seat for an old Chinese woman, but he unfairly demonstrates the truth to support his idea.
This is just a misunderstanding. Chinese people are used to being modest. when she said no. she is just trying to be polite. What you need to do is continue to give up your seat. I know, sometimes it is confusing.
Totally identify - including the Chinese woman who sat on him in the bus? And culture in some countries that believe in being strong and sharing with others for fair opportunity? What are those countries that you identify with?
I am Chinese and I live in Sichuan Province. I never experienced or heard about the behavior of that old Chinese woman you mentioned. That's not part of our culture or custom. Maybe it's just one strange woman's strange behavior. If you are a scientist, then you should learn to be more prudent and then you will figure out that you are not experiencing the real local culture. I really doubt that you are lying. If we Chinese experience the same situation, we will ALSO feel uncomfortable and shocked as well as offended.
I'm finding that a lot of people can't seem to understand that when something happens on a personal level it don't make it a cultural norm. I think that bus part was an outlier experience.
I think it's a good example that assort culture into peaches and coconuts. It makes this topic more easy to understand and also more clearly. And the story greeting in public is humorous and funny, it just makes me relax while watching video.
wow! lots of feathers got ruffled here. the speaker is just like every one of us: instead of crucifying the guy, recognize that WE ALL draw conclusions about other cultures based on our own experiences.
Really, I believe that depending on our culture education every human been build many walls to communicate with other people and depend o every one to turn down to communicate and to learn about the other person and cultures
love the part about the chinese women sitting on your lap, your speeeech is both entertaining and useful at the same time. the fact that every culture is diffrent with how easily or hardly you can get used to is very interesting. the idea of getting comfortable at an uncomfortable moment is helpful.
I think the talk is very great that every culture is so different so sometimes there will be many interesting things when two cultures meet. But I think that the example of the Chinese is kind of a special case that most of the Chinese or Asian won't do this kind of thing.
Lebanese wedding part is funny and it shows the differences between different cultures. I've never been to a wedding and I learned that a wedding can be not-so-serious and joyful!
Shouldn't this guy be citing Fonz Trompenaars here?! At 10:10 he refers to a peach vs coconut anecdote. He says: "I like to refer to this as...." as if this were his anecdote. This actually comes from a MUCH earlier talk from Fonz Trompenaars (Nov 6, 2013 - 13:20) on Ted. It may simply be an oversight, but Bourelle's presentation makes it seem as if this is HIS idea! Perhaps Trompenaars has also 'pinched' the idea without citing it. Either way It is EITHER an enormous coincidence or it is an inappropriate use of another person's idea without citation. This is how otherwise good quality information providers like TED become discredited.
I do like the way the talk concluded, but I kinda wish that there was further info that discussed how much something happened on an individualistic level or a cultural level and whether there's a spectrum that falls between them.
I feel like America is all three of those "Equality of Opportunity" styles he talked about at 11:20, which is why it's super conflicting here. Or maybe we have the perceptions that these three exist and only one actually does.... hmm...
Today I realized that I have no culture because i lived in two different countries in my childhood and wasn't 100% to any country, made me cry ngl, weird feeling
You have two cultures then! Wish you'd see it as beautiful! We are all different, each and every one. And you have two cultures you can call yours! Please take time to learn more about them if you feel you don't know as much as you want. There is so much to be appreciated in all cultures and countries
Really, I believe that depending on our culture education every human been build many walls to communicate with other people and depend o every one to turn down to communicate and to learn about the other person eally, I believe that depending on our culture education every human been build many walls to communicate with other people and depend o every one to turn down to communicate and to learn about the other person
So based on an alleged experience with one old lady, he immediately assumes that's the culture of a country made up of 1.5 billion people covering an area 9.5 million km2.
Dear Chinese person. He just tells the story of ONE person. He doesn't say all Chinese do that. In this story, he wants to explain that if you smile during an awkward situation, people usually accept you, no matter where they are from. I am sorry you have felt offended, but the speaker wanted to say something else. He didn't mean to make fun of Chinese people.
Agree. I don't think any normal Chinese woman will sit on a stranger's lap, even if it's in a rural village. This is not normal. The story is not a fair presentation of a different culture (i.e. Chinese culture) nor a good example of "being comfortable with what is uncomfortable". The behaviour of "sitting on a stranger on a bus and pulling their arm hairs for 30 minutes" is not a culture, it is a rare behaviour, and I don't think people are supposed to be comfortable with this behaviour.
This is the most generalized and stereotyped talk about culture, beginning with the Chinese woman in the bus. I'd say if not because the speaker is a Westerner that piques the curiosity of the people in the region, and I suspect a rural one where people don't see many Westerners, this may never happen with a fellow Asian, including an invitation to spend nights in a home no matter how much I let her sit on me. The Lebanese and the Germans : interesting to see if you mean all Lebanese and Germans behave the same way as in a collective conscious. Finally I was really looking forward to examples of the countries who believe in sharing resources, but disappointed.
Which city was it? As a Chinese, I just can not believe what happened to you, I have been living in Beijing for so many years, so many western people are living there. I have never heard anything like that. And you cant say that is the culture of China!!! Not every Chinese is like that. It was just a single weird experience and there must be some misunderstanding.
Thanks from agadir morocco, some chines are not happy about you ,and i thing they are right: We should not générale the culture from the individual case
i hate much about culture because probably in past our family was wrong about what they were doing so we should probe into culture and if there is any mistake we have to correct it culture is traditional structure we have to change where there is a mistake
The speaker needs to re-examine his ability and speech as a cross culture researcher. He regards the action of an individual as a general culture, which is a mistake that undermined the credibility of his views. Don't play to the gallery with novelty stories and stop being arrogant. 1. As a person who has lived in China for nearly 30 years and has studied Chinese humanities for over 15 years, I have a full understanding of China's regional culture and history. I have never heard of, seen, or read in any record that "an old woman sitting on a stranger's lap" is a culture of any region or era. This behavior will never happen in China, because it violates our social ethics.I'm sure the woman has mental disease. 2. Why did people laugh? To see a mad old woman sitting on the laps of a foreigner who is also laughing. Isn't that funny? The Chinese laughed not because they were comfortable with the situation, but because they thought both of the two were ridiculous. 3.Why the speaker was invited? It is not because what he did, it is because who he is. In Chinese tradition, visitors should be treated kindly. They invited foreigners to dinner at home in order to show care, friendliness and hospitality, not because he ”managed to put himself in a situation that was uncomfortable for him and the locals felt that they were much closer to him".
Umm... It's really hard to understand the Chinese example. I have lived in China for 22 years and never heard about an elder lady sitting on a stranger's laps... also too weird for local people!!🤔
What a ridiculous speech! Are you sure you’re familiar with “culture”? It’s really misleading about the “lap” story! If you’ve really experienced the Chinese culture, you should not generalize the culture from the individual case. If you’re a researcher, I believe you think you are, pls be responsible for your observation and your words.
This video is not worth watching. Some opinions are not real local culture like his experienced in China. I have never heard about someone like he mentioned that a woman sat on him in China. Actually, most of Chinese especially women are very traditionary. So I think he is lying or want to make a joke to hook his audience. Even though, his opinion isn’t on behalf of Chinese culture.
This video was shared in my interculture business class today morning, What he presented about China and Chiness is totally wrong! Nobody will seat on other people's legs needless to say a strange foreign man! He is a joker more than a speaker by playing to the gallery.
He said in a specific part of China. Are all 1.6 billion Chinese the same or is there regional diversity? Why would you not just say I'm surprised at his experience because I have never heard of this behavior there. His words clearly did not generalise behavior of all residents.
As a Chinese, NEVER heard about this behaviour. In China, if we meet this case, we mainly will feel shocked, weird and even be offended. We are educated leave the seats to old people and people who need help in our culture. I'm not sure if the reaction of the woman is from her village culture or just some individual "joke".
I see that every Chinese here feels offended by the woman's sitting on him (and some do call her names, thinking that Western people don't know Chinese and even don't know to use on-line dictionaries), but nobody is questioning her touching the hair on his arms.
Ironically some of the comments in this section more or less proves his point. It's obviously a light hearted look at cultural misunderstandings and what happens in those moments - not a reason to feel the need to stump up and 'defend' a culture. It's fascinating some people thought the old woman in the story must be 'mad' - she just sounds amusing, incredibly human and warm hearted. Good for her.
Thanks. I just thought that at least the person was friendly and I wouldnt base every action I do "according to culture."
Absolutely I also experience the same when I was new to western culture. I get up and want to give old women my set but she denied and I was shock coz in my culture I did big thing for her, I mean It was from my heart and had big respect for her but when she denied 😂 it was quite awkward after while but Chinese women made bit more comfortable the situation and I like it.
Having friends from other cultures makes me more creative.
In fresh ways about space and how people create their own world and environment. It is best way to connect between creative thinking and cross cultural relationships
cool, but how can I make friends from othercultures
Definitely top 5 Ted Talk I've watched so far
As a Chinese, NEVER heard about this behaviour. In China, if we meet this case, we mainly will feel shocked, weird and even be offended. We are educated leave the seats to old people and people who need help in our culture. I'm not sure if the reaction of the woman is from her village culture or just some individual "joke".
In my personal experience the people from Chinese villages do a lot of weird stuff like allowing kids to poop on the street and disturbing private space
its true, I went to my mom's hometown (its a small town), and some kid peed out on the street while I was looking away but next to them
Yeap, totally agree. I am Chinese. I feel weird when I heard this woman's story.
@@MarkyTeriyakiShorts ye right rude ppl
China is large and multi-cultured. Maybe you don't even know.
This really hit me hard. I just realized the difference among the different perspectives that collide when helping or rewarding the weakest or the strongest. I have seen these actions and learned about them, but only from my country’s point of view. Is pretty interesting to know how other people think. And thank you very much! I really appreciated your video!
As a chilean who have been on exchange twice in Norway, I can totally understand and relate to everything he said.
Wow, this is one of the greatest Ted Talk I've watched! Merci pour ton humour, ta sensibilité, la finesse, ton empathie. On en a besoin dans le monde! Je suis née au Québec et je vis présentement au Pérou. Si je pouvais trouver un fruit pour la culture du Québec, je dirais une pomme, car d'abord il y a tellement de couleurs, de saveurs et de différentes variétés. Pour la culture du Pérou, je dirais la papaye, car la pelure est vraiment mince (boundaries!!!). Pour terminer, je travaille en ligne avec des étudiants d'un peu partout dans le monde car j'enseigne l'anglais langue seconde. La plupart de mes élèves souhaitent gagner en confiance dans leur expression orale afin de voyager et d'ouvrir des portes au niveau professionnel. Merci, je vais leur partager la vidéo et en discuter avec eux!
Hello Myriam how are you doing today i hope everything is fine with you?
It is really important for me how know about culture.
Thanks this video.
The knowledge of culture enrich the understanding of the students to cope up with the new environment which is very important.
It's impossible for that old Chinese woman to sit on him! As a Chinese, I argued that most people would be appreciated for him leaving the seat, although there may be some unpleasant behaviour conducted by some people, such as not expressing thanks. Also, we welcome people in their own cultural background and many foreigners come to China to prepare for personal success. We would not be surprised when looking a foreigner with long hair on arms. I could not doubt that he once left his seat for an old Chinese woman, but he unfairly demonstrates the truth to support his idea.
This is just a misunderstanding. Chinese people are used to being modest. when she said no. she is just trying to be polite. What you need to do is continue to give up your seat. I know, sometimes it is confusing.
sometimes people misunderstand some behaviour as general culture.
Lebanese in Norway here. I can totally identify with everything that has been said in this video.
Totally identify - including the Chinese woman who sat on him in the bus? And culture in some countries that believe in being strong and sharing with others for fair opportunity? What are those countries that you identify with?
I am Chinese and I live in Sichuan Province. I never experienced or heard about the behavior of that old Chinese woman you mentioned. That's not part of our culture or custom. Maybe it's just one strange woman's strange behavior. If you are a scientist, then you should learn to be more prudent and then you will figure out that you are not experiencing the real local culture. I really doubt that you are lying. If we Chinese experience the same situation, we will ALSO feel uncomfortable and shocked as well as offended.
I’m Chinese too, I don’t think that behavior is cultural tendency…it’s so wired..I think it’s more like a personal thing 😅
I'm finding that a lot of people can't seem to understand that when something happens on a personal level it don't make it a cultural norm. I think that bus part was an outlier experience.
I think you're missing the point of what he's trying to explain....
a reasonably fun talk, albeit simplistic. cultures need not have any relation to nations in ways he suggests.
I think it's a good example that assort culture into peaches and coconuts. It makes this topic more easy to understand and also more clearly. And the story greeting in public is humorous and funny, it just makes me relax while watching video.
Wow this a one of greatest.
wow! lots of feathers got ruffled here. the speaker is just like every one of us: instead of crucifying the guy, recognize that WE ALL draw conclusions about other cultures based on our own experiences.
I loved this Tedtalk, I thought I might watch this because social media is filled with culture and people from many different backgrounds.
Really, I believe that depending on our culture education every human been build many walls to communicate with other people and depend o every one to turn down to communicate and to learn about the other person and cultures
I am Chinese, but are you sure that old Chinese woman doesn't have mental problems?
😂😂😭
Honestly one of my favorite things to do is to learn about and experience other cultures.
love the part about the chinese women sitting on your lap, your speeeech is both entertaining and useful at the same time. the fact that every culture is diffrent with how easily or hardly you can get used to is very interesting.
the idea of getting comfortable at an uncomfortable moment is helpful.
noice
I’m in the UK. One of my friends ask me what I had eaten for lunch. I said “a steak 🥩 “. He said “Jesus”.
I think the talk is very great that every culture is so different so sometimes there will be many interesting things when two cultures meet. But I think that the example of the Chinese is kind of a special case that most of the Chinese or Asian won't do this kind of thing.
I grew up in China and people definitely do NOT sit on random people's laps. It's not culture, the old woman is just kind of weird.
Lebanese wedding part is funny and it shows the differences between different cultures. I've never been to a wedding and I learned that a wedding can be not-so-serious and joyful!
My teacher told me to watch this
Nyenyenye
me toooo
same
same. I got a communication class
Are u crazy?
What a great ted talk!!
Shouldn't this guy be citing Fonz Trompenaars here?! At 10:10 he refers to a peach vs coconut anecdote. He says: "I like to refer to this as...." as if this were his anecdote. This actually comes from a MUCH earlier talk from Fonz Trompenaars (Nov 6, 2013 - 13:20) on Ted. It may simply be an oversight, but Bourelle's presentation makes it seem as if this is HIS idea! Perhaps Trompenaars has also 'pinched' the idea without citing it. Either way It is EITHER an enormous coincidence or it is an inappropriate use of another person's idea without citation. This is how otherwise good quality information providers like TED become discredited.
Culture friendly, people diversity. As long nobody kills me. I rather be sat on.
I do like the way the talk concluded, but I kinda wish that there was further info that discussed how much something happened on an individualistic level or a cultural level and whether there's a spectrum that falls between them.
My guess is that comes up in his book :) If you find out let me know 😉
Perfect content for my pupils. Just a random teacher saying thanks !
I feel like America is all three of those "Equality of Opportunity" styles he talked about at 11:20, which is why it's super conflicting here. Or maybe we have the perceptions that these three exist and only one actually does.... hmm...
It was not the musical instrument that made the swiss jump on the table, it was the alcohol
awesome video!!
You have a good video
come to India, here we have all the examples.
Today I realized that I have no culture because i lived in two different countries in my childhood and wasn't 100% to any country, made me cry ngl, weird feeling
You have two cultures then! Wish you'd see it as beautiful! We are all different, each and every one. And you have two cultures you can call yours! Please take time to learn more about them if you feel you don't know as much as you want. There is so much to be appreciated in all cultures and countries
Really, I believe that depending on our culture education every human been build many walls to communicate with other people and depend o every one to turn down to communicate and to learn about the other person
eally, I believe that depending on our culture education every human been build many walls to communicate with other people and depend o every one to turn down to communicate and to learn about the other person
So based on an alleged experience with one old lady, he immediately assumes that's the culture of a country made up of 1.5 billion people covering an area 9.5 million km2.
So cute😘
You should not generalize the culture from the individual case. If you’re a researcher, please be responsible for your observation and your words.
Dear Chinese person. He just tells the story of ONE person. He doesn't say all Chinese do that. In this story, he wants to explain that if you smile during an awkward situation, people usually accept you, no matter where they are from. I am sorry you have felt offended, but the speaker wanted to say something else. He didn't mean to make fun of Chinese people.
Very good speech
Agree. I don't think any normal Chinese woman will sit on a stranger's lap, even if it's in a rural village. This is not normal. The story is not a fair presentation of a different culture (i.e. Chinese culture) nor a good example of "being comfortable with what is uncomfortable". The behaviour of "sitting on a stranger on a bus and pulling their arm hairs for 30 minutes" is not a culture, it is a rare behaviour, and I don't think people are supposed to be comfortable with this behaviour.
This is the most generalized and stereotyped talk about culture, beginning with the Chinese woman in the bus. I'd say if not because the speaker is a Westerner that piques the curiosity of the people in the region, and I suspect a rural one where people don't see many Westerners, this may never happen with a fellow Asian, including an invitation to spend nights in a home no matter how much I let her sit on me. The Lebanese and the Germans : interesting to see if you mean all Lebanese and Germans behave the same way as in a collective conscious. Finally I was really looking forward to examples of the countries who believe in sharing resources, but disappointed.
Great video it’s just needed more audience😊❤️
Which city was it? As a Chinese, I just can not believe what happened to you, I have been living in Beijing for so many years, so many western people are living there. I have never heard anything like that. And you cant say that is the culture of China!!! Not every Chinese is like that. It was just a single weird experience and there must be some misunderstanding.
It’s very beautiful voice
👍
0:19 & 3:12 Spain use to be Islamic country so I’m surprised they still have some of Islamic culture
Thanks from agadir morocco, some chines are not happy about you ,and i thing they are right:
We should not générale the culture from the individual case
i hate much about culture because probably in past our family was wrong about what they were doing so we should probe into culture and if there is any mistake we have to correct it culture is traditional structure we have to change where there is a mistake
interesting :)
The speaker needs to re-examine his ability and speech as a cross culture researcher. He regards the action of an individual as a general culture, which is a mistake that undermined the credibility of his views. Don't play to the gallery with novelty stories and stop being arrogant.
1. As a person who has lived in China for nearly 30 years and has studied Chinese humanities for over 15 years, I have a full understanding of China's regional culture and history. I have never heard of, seen, or read in any record that "an old woman sitting on a stranger's lap" is a culture of any region or era. This behavior will never happen in China, because it violates our social ethics.I'm sure the woman has mental disease.
2. Why did people laugh? To see a mad old woman sitting on the laps of a foreigner who is also laughing. Isn't that funny? The Chinese laughed not because they were comfortable with the situation, but because they thought both of the two were ridiculous.
3.Why the speaker was invited? It is not because what he did, it is because who he is. In Chinese tradition, visitors should be treated kindly. They invited foreigners to dinner at home in order to show care, friendliness and hospitality, not because he ”managed to put himself in a situation that was uncomfortable for him and the locals felt that they were much closer to him".
Umm... It's really hard to understand the Chinese example. I have lived in China for 22 years and never heard about an elder lady sitting on a stranger's laps... also too weird for local people!!🤔
its bad we are learning cultures from book
(insert that one Mark Twain Quote here)
no I'm not trying to be sarcastic or funny, I just can't remember it ATM
What a ridiculous speech! Are you sure you’re familiar with “culture”? It’s really misleading about the “lap” story! If you’ve really experienced the Chinese culture, you should not generalize the culture from the individual case. If you’re a researcher, I believe you think you are, pls be responsible for your observation and your words.
nice defining ,,,,
In Hong Kong, no one will sit on you in a bus.
you are so cute.
This video is not worth watching. Some opinions are not real local culture like his experienced in China. I have never heard about someone like he mentioned that a woman sat on him in China. Actually, most of Chinese especially women are very traditionary. So I think he is lying or want to make a joke to hook his audience. Even though, his opinion isn’t on behalf of Chinese culture.
This video was shared in my interculture business class today morning, What he presented about China and Chiness is totally wrong! Nobody will seat on other people's legs needless to say a strange foreign man! He is a joker more than a speaker by playing to the gallery.
He said in a specific part of China. Are all 1.6 billion Chinese the same or is there regional diversity? Why would you not just say I'm surprised at his experience because I have never heard of this behavior there. His words clearly did not generalise behavior of all residents.
As a Chinese, NEVER heard about this behaviour. In China, if we meet this case, we mainly will feel shocked, weird and even be offended. We are educated leave the seats to old people and people who need help in our culture. I'm not sure if the reaction of the woman is from her village culture or just some individual "joke".
This video was also shared in my comparative culture a few days ago. I felt deeply offended.
I see that every Chinese here feels offended by the woman's sitting on him (and some do call her names, thinking that Western people don't know Chinese and even don't know to use on-line dictionaries), but nobody is questioning her touching the hair on his arms.
Stop being offended, the old lady liked. The guy is good looking. Lol
Open a door for some women and they look at you in disgust. Very sad what society has become.
Might be that you're forcing em to speed up
I agree
Julien Bourrelle has a shallow knowledge of world cultures, and he demonstrates it when talking about the Chinese woman in the bus.
丫在公开场合大张旗鼓的刻意丑化一个民族，就只因它所说一件事？一件连真假都不能确定的所谓的’‘经历’‘，还做演讲，恶俗？
oof