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Hello,
I am a student at New York University and I just finished reading an
article at CNN.com about peoples' reactions to the Starbucks in the
Forbidden City.
I agree that having a symbol of Western culture in a place so ancient and
revered is offensive to people. It would be like having a McDonald's
inside our Lincoln Memorial. I do agree that it should be removed. I also
wanted to comment briefly on American culture, or the way it seems it is
perceived in China. I have been living in New York City for a year and a
half now and I believe that many times Chinese people (especially the
younger generations) misinterpret what American culture is.
In New York there is not one Walmart. We have many small shops people can
go to offering different goods and services, but large chain stored like
Walmart, McDonald's, Starbucks, and so forth do not do well in New York.
Americans really prefer going to a place owned by a small businessman
because there is a sense that the owner of the store is grateful for the
business and the customer feels he/she gets better treatment at a small
shop. What I hope the younger generations of China try to understand is
that being American isn't about owning Nike shoes and Levi's jeans; these
are just things. Please look at older examples of American culture to try
and gain a better understanding of our people.
Try listening to Jazz music (if it is available) or watching old movies
like Casablanca or Citizen Kane. These are some of the things that
represent what Americans are about, or what we can do. I don't really
know how much big American business has permeated different aspects of
your society, but from what I am seeing and how the Chinese people are
responding does not leave me with a good feeling. Please don't view big
American business as a representation of who the American people are. I
am looking forward to visiting your country this summer.
Brian Mattys, NYC
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