More frustrations

[Ming Che]

I've also noticed that no two Chinese can agree on culture! For example, numbers. In Chinese culture numbers are very meaningful but exactly what numbers mean what will never be known. Two people can't agree on anything!

My rule for learning about Chinese culture: if you want to learn about something you see, ask only *one* person or you will never know.=)

My conclusion: There must be 8 different Taiwans out there!!! =)
I love them all (and anything else Asian.=)

I think all Chinese need to get together and agree on stuff like this. It would make things easier for people like me.=)

Still wondering,

Ming Che

[Hanzi Wensheng]

I have no clue what you're refering to when you said that numbers have different meanings and the same goes with there are 8 different Taiwans.

[Ming Che]

What I'm trying to say it that numbers are very meaningful in Chinese culture. The number 4 (si) is associatged with death, the number 8 (ba) with fortune and good luck. Those are about the only two numbers Chinese agree on...


John

[Hanzi Wensheng]

What are some of the numbers that the Chinese *DON'T* agree on? By the way, not everyone in the United States believe the number 13 is bad luck. If people in the United States don't agree on everything, how can you expect another nation with 3 times the population to?

[A-hiong]

You know there are different reasons for that. First Regionalism...people from different regions have different traditions or some form of it but different. Also people have their own personal superstitions...you generalize too much. Not everything is so uniform.

[A-hiong]

Maybe you think too much or look for too much. You sound like a frustrated teenager...hehehe. You must take in consideration that these people are taught these superstitions or traditions or culture by their parents. Not everyone in Taiwan or the same city came from the same place...maybe a few generations ago they came to the big city or small town from elsewhere where they have kept their traditions since. Does everyone in America cook the same foods? How come I can buy french food in NYC but it isn't in France??? Get my point????

[John]

What numbers do they not agree on? Let's start with number 9. 9 is a "lucky and consumate number." 9 symbolizes the "everlasting"-especially in love and friendship. And 9 has "never been heard of before."

About 666 and its symbolism. The locals are "not familiar with" any symbols. Or it means "everything you do will be sucessful."

And 66 is either "smooth running" or "you will do good in everything you try; no hard times for you."

Now that I've been on the other side of explaining my culture to foreigners (I feel like a tour guide) I can understand this situation. Yeah, Americans can't agree on much either. And I can't always answer all their questions...

Ming Che

[Dylan Sung]

Of course, for Christians, 666 is the number of the Beast, or devil, as mentioned in Revelations.

Dyl.

[jinfeng1]

why those numbers become meaningful ? because their pronunciation in certain dialects. Because there are a number of dialects in china, people cannot all agree on them. When those dialects are dominant(especially Cantonese), those number can be accepted by other dialect speakers.