Chapter 10. Subcultures Section 2. Social Structure The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 10. Subcultures 1

Outline Introduction Historical subcultures in China Merging of subcultures Road ahead The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 10. Subcultures 2

Introduction Chinese people are homogenous? Cultural stereotypes in China – A joke on deciding who to jump off the plane among the Cantonese, the Beijinger, the Shanghainese, the Henanese, the Northeasterner, the Zhejiangese and the Shandongese The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 10. Subcultures 3

Historical subcultures in China A melting pot: China has a rich history of integrating multiple nationalities and cultures. – 56 formally recognized ethnic groups – Varieties within the dominant Han ethnicity The cultural differences between the northern and southern China The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 10. Subcultures 4

Historical subcultures in China Almost every province has unique characteristics The Beijinger: closely connected to politics The Cantonese: focus on business, a combination of local culture and the culture of overseas returnees The Wenzhounese: hardworking businessmen, value mutual support The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 10. Subcultures 5

Merging of subcultures The emergence of new fusing subculture – The need to migrate increased (job opportunities and economic development) – Benefits associated with remaining in one’s hometown have decreased significantly The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 10. Subcultures 6

Merging of subcultures Shanghai: when local residents meet newcomers – The Shanghainese: more westernized, business- oriented and more refined, tend to follow rules, require less personal connection and used to be overly proud of their culture (even looked down upon outsiders) – More tolerant of outside culture now – Toward a new all-inclusive culture (Hai style) The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 10. Subcultures 7

Merging of subcultures Shenzhen: when new comers meet new comers ̶from a small fishing village to the Special Economic Zone with 10 million citizens ̶The essence of its culture: the spirit of reform and innovation ̶“Top 10 Shenzhen Concepts”:e.g., “Time is money, efficiency is life” The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 10. Subcultures 8

Road ahead Three major factors influencing the evolution of Chinese subcultures: mass migration, easy access to information and ease of travel Prediction: – Dialects will gradually fade away – Cultural differences will persist for a much longer time – Medium and small sized cities are quickly losing its identities The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 10. Subcultures 9

Road ahead Predictions: 1. The dialects will gradually fade away throughout China, except for ethnic languages. 2. Cultural differences will persist for a much longer time. Concern: Many medium and small sized cities are quickly losing their identities The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 10. Subcultures 10