Thank you for taking out the time to comment. I agree that there are common values throughout Asia that many could potentially lump together and call Orientalism. The commitment to traditional values, many (dare I say?) feudal and agrarian still prevails.

What I find interesting is that in China – as in many former Soviet blocs, once the veil of Communism is lifted, whether official or not, people race back to the old-school ways of doing things.

Thank you for taking out the time to comment. I agree that there are common values throughout Asia that many could potentially lump together and call Orientalism. The commitment to traditional values, many (dare I say?) feudal and agrarian still prevails.

What I find interesting is that in China – as in many former Soviet blocs, once the veil of Communism is lifted, whether official or not, people race back to the old-school ways of doing things.

First time commenter here – actually stumbled on this from Shafeen Charania’s blog. As an Indian, I can tell you that your post could substitute “India” for “China” and it would hold true in almost 90% of the examples you used.

In the case of India, the reason, atleast historically, had to do with the prevailing caste system, and the social stratification (which is similar to China by the looks of it). Now of course – its just as you said above – income and family “status” are what people look for in the men, and age and “family fit” for the women.

I almost think its another of those things that fall into the basket of “Asian values” (though I really don’t believe the use of that term).

Its almost a fundamental difference between East and West, and manifests everywhere. Exhibit A – which I found fascinating – if you ever look at an Indian passport, you’ll see, in addition to the usual info, sections for mother’s name, father’s name, etc. while an American passport only has the individual info – and that’s it.

First time commenter here – actually stumbled on this from Shafeen Charania’s blog. As an Indian, I can tell you that your post could substitute “India” for “China” and it would hold true in almost 90% of the examples you used.

In the case of India, the reason, atleast historically, had to do with the prevailing caste system, and the social stratification (which is similar to China by the looks of it). Now of course – its just as you said above – income and family “status” are what people look for in the men, and age and “family fit” for the women.

I almost think its another of those things that fall into the basket of “Asian values” (though I really don’t believe the use of that term).

Its almost a fundamental difference between East and West, and manifests everywhere. Exhibit A – which I found fascinating – if you ever look at an Indian passport, you’ll see, in addition to the usual info, sections for mother’s name, father’s name, etc. while an American passport only has the individual info – and that’s it.