those individuals suck that you mentioned above. I don't see how they are trying to change the culture. People should try and embrace as much of the culture that they can. Realize their are good and bad aspects of each culture. Keep the good parts you learn from chinese culture and disregard the rest. I know chinese people do the same when they associate with foreigners.

@mmkunmingteacher

1) It probably was mentioned in an earlier post in which you complained was an ad hominem attack, it was not in the rephrased post on page 6. But since we are discussing it now, I will respond.

What happened to the Native Americans IS NOT multiculturalism or mere cultural influence. As I have said, it was a systematic eradication program push forward by the government with the support of the population that is driven by greed and racial hatred. Multiculturalism is where different cultures come together to co-exist in a single society thereby creating a new vibrant culture that is celebrated. This did not happen with the Native Americans. You are confusing the two issues.

You still did not address my claim that the actions of the expat community as a whole is not comparable to what happened to the Native Americans thereby making your argument debunked.

2) Assuming the examples are true (I will withhold my personal judgement as to not to sidetrack the point), how are these actions detrimental to Chinese culture? Did those Chinese people run home and gave up their way of life and started consuming food from the Carrefour import section only? Did they give up consuming black chicken? Did the accusation that the Chinese restaurant cooks their food in human feces cause them to switch over and become a western restaurant? Do Chinese people stop shopping at Chinese markets now? How has Chinese culture changed as a result of those experiences?

All the anecdotal examples DO NOT prove "cultural colonialism" is taking place. All it shows is that there are many intolerant foreigners who are making fools of themselves and have no business traveling outside their own comfort zone. However, do not use these examples as an excuse to level "cultural colonialism" charges at GoK members who express an delight at living a western lifestyle.

Your arguments thus far have not convinced me that "cultural colonization" is taking place as you claim, only that you seem to meet an unreasonably amount of smucks in China and you are hypersensitive to the actions of others, much like Chicken little running around shouting the sky is falling anytime he sees something new.

Care to continue your arguments?

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P.S.:
"Tonyaod, do you have a better term to describe what I am talking about?"
How about just calling them A$$holes which is clearly what they are. Just don't use hyperbole and make a mountain out of a molehill. We as foreigners living in Kunming has as much influence on Chinese culture as an atheist have on the Pope. Don't think so highly of yourself.

Tonyaod, my position is very simple. People who move to another culture, and still insist, or live by the rule that, their own culture is superior, are committing cultural colonialism.

Second, every Burger King or McDonald's that goes up, is an effort by those ridiculous "restaurant" chains to change the culture of other countries.

There is really no need to keep posting dozens of points. Those are my two, simple points.

As to the Native Americans, those early "pilgrims" did not immediately start slaughtering the natives. Rather, they set up villages, then towns, then societies, that gradually took over the native culture. It did not happen in one day: they believe that the natives were "savages" (such as, they spit on the street! They cook in human feces! They stare at me!) and that their European Christian culture as superior. It came out in their everyday lives, and it evolved into a massive genocide, but it was gradual. So, yes, I believe that the more Westerners come to China, insist that their culture is better, and import their own culture and refuse to integrate with China, are doing the same thing. They are not necessarily doing it on purpose, but they are doing it.

Finally, the people I described do in fact exist, are real, and really did those things. There are multiple eyewitnesses to each one of them.

P.S. Tonyaod, "an atheist" has a great influence on the Popes, as many of them have written theses and discourses about the social problem of atheism (in their view).

We are the Borg. Lower your shields and surrender your ships. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.

"every Burger King or McDonald's that goes up, is an effort by those ridiculous "restaurant" chains to change the culture of other countries."

Yes, but you never answered my question from before. Is all change degrading a local culture or is some change enhancing a local culture?

BK offers another food option. Is that so bad? I'm not a huge fan of restaurant chains, but Westerners opening restaurants in China is degrading the local culture in your opinion?

Don't you understand that you are in a very tiny minority of human beings on the planet who can actually afford the luxury of transplanting themselves to a foreign culture to taste the foreign culture's food in the first place?

Most Chinese people will never leave China. So if they want to taste foreign food, the local restaurants that set up shop here are the only options they have.

If BK and McDonald's are the ONLY options in China, then it's cultural food genocide, but that's not going to happen ever.

Magnifico, in answer to your question: in my opinion, American fast food degrades other cultures, because, in my opinion, they represent the worst of USAmerican culture: processed, artificial, fattening junk.

I do, in fact, understand that I am very fortunate to be able to travel and live in another country, and I am thankful every day for that.

As for Chinese people only being able to taste McDonald's, I understand that, but they are unfortunately tasting the worst example of it, and I feel sorry for them.

@seansearlaid I think of the Borg when I see what the Han do to the cultures they come in contact with.

but there isn't only mcdonald's.

so shitty fast food degrades a local culture?

what about shitty local food?

at the end of the day, "culture" is a vague and abstract term. i'm more interested in quality of life. and quality of life is enhanced by good food and degraded by shitty food, local and western alike.

and basically, what you're referring to is the dark side of capitalism. BK and McDonald's are everywhere because they have deep pockets.

@mmkunmingteacher
Finally something concrete in which to build upon. Using your definition of "cultural colonialism", how is the simple fact of bringing in western comforts by the expat community creating a sense of superiority? If I tell a fellow expat instead of a Chinese person that Chinese food is crap, is that still cultural colonialism? If it is, how does that change Chinese culture?

In regards to BK, McD, and other international chain stores:
1)that is not the results of the actions of the expat community in Kunming so you are preaching to the wrong audience and hence why so many people are against you, your arguments on topics are becoming tiresome.

2)Do you think the CEOs really care about culture? Their motives are not driven by the desire to "change the culture" but by greed. If it is really about colonizing a culture, then why do they adapt to the local culture and tastes? Why do they have more veggie options in India? Why are KFCs in China all about chicken sandwiches instead of fried chicken just like home. Why the fu*k do they sell congee and "You tiao" in the morning? (This is meant to be humorous as I hate congee)

I will agree that Chinese culture is changing but to put forth a sinister motive such as "cultural colonization" is a bit over the top.

As to the pilgrims, it is completely irrelevant to the discussion, you are comparing apples to oranges. To believe one's culture and ethnicity to be superior and to systematically eradicate another culture DOES NOT go hand-in-hand. You can have one and not the other. During WWII, the Japanese and the Germans were, by necessity, believe to be inferior human beings. And yet after the end of the fighting no cultural eradication on the level of the Native Americans happened.

Regarding the idea that "the more Westerners come to China, insist that their culture is better, and import their own culture and refuse to integrate with China, are" going to destroy Chinese culture is to assume the Chinese people are powerless to stop this if they wish, which by the way, is very supremacists in it of itself. If the Chinese do not like the influences we are imparting on them, they can choose for themselves whether or not to accept it. We are here in China on invitation, we did not force ourselves onto China. Which was very different in the case of the Native Americans.

On a side note. Being an American in the US, why did you choose to come to China, or how did you even know about the existence of China? Was it because you were somehow exposed to Chinese/Asian culture? And how were you able to be exposed to it in America? Was it because the Chinese thought their "food" to be superior to American food so that they decided to open Chinese restaurant to serve to other Chinese? If you were not able to experience "the worst example" of Chinese culture in America, would you have been intrigued enough to come to China?

Can I now use this positive outcome to argue that "cultural colonialism" is good?

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P.S.:

"in answer to your question: in my opinion, American fast food degrades other cultures, because, in my opinion, they represent the worst of USAmerican culture: processed, artificial, fattening junk."

You can't make a generalizing claim using only specific examples. Perhaps American fast food degrades other cultures, that is a subjective opinion, but you can't extrapolate that to become all aspects foreign cultures degrades local culture. Herein lies your problem. You are making very tired arguments and leveling charges on us based on your own preconception of how things ought to be. Do not lecture us on how or how not to behave in China. You can share your opinions without putting others down. Pick and choose your battles, know when to end the arguments.