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Q: Does the drive for nationalism feed the rampant xenophobia in China?
I don't know, i'll get back to you on that after i've checked my dictionary. I haven't the faintest idea what you just said.
Ohhhh, ok, I just checked up and I understand now. And yeh, I think i'd have to say it does, because xenophobia springs from the natural fear of the unknown and the belief that people of other nationalities are not basically the same as each other. Nationalism encourages that fragmentation of people and so enforces such beliefs, in turn propagating those xenophobic fears. Bloody daft I call it.
thedude:
I'm sorry but if you are going to pretend you are an English teacher in China then you at least have to pretend you understand complicated words.
mArtiAn:
Not pretending anything, friend. And if I understood them they wouldn't be complicated:)
thedude:
After 1 year on this site...I know the difference between fakers and the real deal.
Why do serial posters avoid at all costs sensitive questions.
You crack jokes but refuse to respond with anything critical of the mother country. Instead you often claim ignorance...why?
mArtiAn:
Jesus Dude, I don't know? Why do you think? Just post why you think I do that and make that my answer, ok? I'm really tired of this stuff. Is it honestly so hard to believe that I just don't feel massively critical of China? I KNOWWW there are all kinds of shitty things in this country, that country, every bleeding country. There is so much endless shit you could drown in it, it depresses the hell out of me when I think about it. And if I was going to start somewhere, with a critical eye, and a fix-up plan, I don't know where it would be. China, America, England, Iran? Man, I don't know where I would start. But maybe with me. So I opt out of the game. Just live my way. Be good to folks and maybe they be good to me. Jesus, for a man who chose the very figurehead of all opt-outers, the Big Lebowski himself, to represent himself as online, you seem to understand very little of what he was about.
thedude:
Actually I tend to be equally critical of China and the rest of the world including my country...I just have issues with people who refuse to find any fault with China.
I have a Chinese gf and plan on getting married soon but I refuse to buy into the bullshit...because innately I question everything...that's what being raised and educated in a free country will do.
Even the most bought and sold expat for China will have issues.
mArtiAn:
Yeh, I ain't bought and sold on shit, I just don't see the endless need to be slingin' it. Let everybody else do that. I'm just watching, laughing. Why the hell does that bother people so much? And who said I refuse to see fault with China? PS: I like that 'serial poster' moniker you handed me. Ironic actualy, I used to be a serial 'killer' some years back. Well not a 'serial killer', no, it was 'cereal killer': Krunchy Nut Flakes, Snacky Wheat, Oaty Flakey Puffs, none of those smug little morning treat bastards were safe at the end of my knife. Not a one of 'em.
lokethebloke:
"Why do serial posters avoid at all costs sensitive questions". (thedude) Why do other posters belittle and bully people when they are exposed as China hating bigots?
thedude:
By calling me and others a China hating bigot simply because I like to create debate and actually have a balanced view of China simply reinforces the suspicions of other posters here with people who refuse to say a bad thing about China and attack those that do and defend all things China regardless....hmmmm.
mArtiAn:
Yeh, but who are you talking about, Dude? I don't refuse to complain about China, it's just that after living here eight years i've run out of complaints. And I don't defend China against all comers, are you kidding? I think the only time you're gonna hear me speak up in defense, it'll be when generalization are thrown at the Chinese, not the government, the reason for this i've stated before: my wife is Chinese, our child is half Chinese. I'm unlikely to stay quiet when I hear people say stuff like "The Chinese are rude, ignorant, stupid" etc, because such lazy generalizations are not only offensive, but by the lazy manner in which they are stated, appear intending to offend. As for the government itself, I have no trust or love for it.
thedude:
I was talking about bloke above my comment. I may ask touchy questions and I like to provoke sometimes but I have never used generalizations to insult Chinese people...the government maybe. I have only spent 6 months a year in China for the past 2 years...so I can appreciate why you are out of complaints now...8 years is a long time.
It certainly doesn't help the xenophobia, especially amongst the elderly and those already suffering from an inferiority complex.
I don't know, I live out in the boondocks (Nanning to be exact) so I can't say I've noticed any great drive towards nationalism. Yes some people are patriotic but many aren't, or at least not noticeably so.
Xenophobia, yes we've got that but not to any huge extent and in any society where education is lacking (or still improving e.g. London) will have such problems.
Look at the growth of the far right extremists in UK (BNP) and France (Le Pen's mob) as examples.
crimochina:
you live in nanning? and you don't know many of the people are ethnic minorities and are therefore to be "not chinese" which is why you would not notice any patriotic ferver.
It's much older. It's MIDDLE Kingdom, remember?
Some takes it much to serious, and that is the problem.
Nationalism feeds xenophobia in every country. Thinking your country is the best demotivates you to learn about other countries. It also leads you to believe that other customs are silly and not to be respected. This ignorance generates fear, and the lack of respect generates racism.
The most xenophobic idiots in America are the same idiots who think it matters whether a politician declares their love for America enough or whether students sing "The Pledge of Allegiance" (A song promising allegiance to America by young schoolchildren everyday).
mArtiAn:
Yeh, the pledge of allegiance; that's some brainwashing shit right there. I like that guy Jacque Fresco, founder of the Venus Project. Refused to give that pledge as a kid.
Gonna get flak for saying that now.
robinhood:
I wish that I was as articulate as you two. My sentiments exactly. The same applies in most countries, including China, interestingly we don't pledge anything to anybody in the UK.
Here we go again, can't you keep your side of our brain under control?
Yes.
The Olympics kinda epitomize nationalism.
It's like a proxy for War. 
War is Extreme Olympics ! That's why everybody Luvs war. Except of course the whiny losers... Oh look, I got my head blown off, poor me!
robinhood:
Wow, you know what that means - all the success that GB is having in the Olympics will create even more nationalism, bloody hell, we'll be invading Europe next!!!!
diverdude1:
This royal throne of kings, this scepter'd isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise;
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war;
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall,
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands;
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England,
diverdude1:
yep. if called upon.
but my favourite soldiers were:
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/homework/war/homeguard.htm
that's what I envisioned myself doing during WWII.
unsung heroes...
lokethebloke:
Do you think that our record number of medals will increase the membership of the BNP?
Nationalism has it's place, so long as it is based on pride in your history and your forefathers, what they did to make your nation, then fine. Nationalism is part of what gives soldiers the courage to risk their lives in the defense of their nations.
It is when you cross that fine dividing line and allow that pride to colour your perception into believing that because of the things that give you that pride that you are in some way superior to the people who live in those other nations, that racism takes hold, and I haven't heard of a single good thing to come from racism.
Many nations use this tactic to draw attention away from the failings of the government.
Dr David Suzuki once said that all people have prejudices and biases, but civilised people know how to control them. I assume that means that the level of xenophobia reflects the level of civility.
Interesting question. I think there is a definite link yes. But I think it might also have to do with the fact that this country has been closed off for so long. I mean, I think that if I was born and raised in a country known as "the middle kingdom", especially during Mao's regime, I would definitely have some leftover xenophobic tendencies, even today, if that were the case. I also do think that nationalism can be a method to take some heat off a country's own major problems. But I always tend to think of China in extremes, for instance when it comes to nationalism I either see extreme self deprecation and foreigner worship or extreme nationalism and xenophobia. I think it will take some time before the feelings balance out and become a bit less extreme. Another influence might be the fast paced development and globalization that is taking place around the world. I think at times xenophobia is a reaction to that, we have it in the States and I wouldn't be surprised if the extremely fast past development was inspiring some self-preservationist xenophobia as well. Sorry, I had a lot on my mind this morning 
Has anybody noticed? The usual paranoia is missing, I wonder why?
mArtiAn:
Dunno. Hey, where's Crimo these days? Awww, I miss that guy.
