Culture is something a group of people share commonly within a region, it is a convention that left by our ancestors and followed by us and our next generations. And Culture defines who we are when we are not within our own countries, it is an invisible identity card that will follow us for many many years.
In recent years, with the rapid growth of technology and transportation. Globalization takes its toll on the globe ,all the asia countries try to modernize themselves to be a stronger nation. Striving to survive economically, which means they are following the path that the stronger, more developed western world had been through years ago. The pattern that asian countries following has involved a great deal of western countries habbits. So as they are moderinizing , they are westernizing and the asian flavour fades.
The phenomenon pulls off a controversy in these recent years, because when the asians are bathing in fast growing success, they are losing their tradition bit by bit, no matter physically or conceptually. Physically speaking, the way how business people dress and the import fashion items are a form of intrusion to traditional culture. Which is also inevitable, and the government has to clear up land space for commercial buildings and factories. The old style houses and bungalows have to give way and places don’t look the same anymore.
A lot have argued that Asian values will then fade but what i see is that this worry is unnecessary. Even though the majority asians are living the modern lifestyle, a lot of them emphasize the importance of tradition and cultures and urge the government to protect their cultures, they also found it a good business in tourism. And recent years , no matter in fashion industry, tourism industry or in arts aspect, I do see the tradition is making a huge come back.
Western countries may have science , technology and the economic model, but oriental countries have their own very unqiue cultures and traditions. In the future, when as globalization blend all the people together, culture itself will be even more valued, as it represents one nation’s pride.
Agatha Yau ( 10392182)
