Comparing Cultures

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Comparison between greeting cultures of China and Kenya
There are many differences in cultures across the world. This occurrence, therefore, means that there is need to make sure that one analysis the cultural and customary believes of a country before he or she sets to take an adventure relocate or start a business in the given state. This paper deals with the comparison between the etiquette and customs of China and Kenya. To do these cultures very efficiently, the perfect way is to understand the greeting culture in China and Kenya before analysing how the two cultures are different or similar. This is therefore achieved by first discussing the Kenyan greeting culture followed by Chinese greeting culture. The difference and the similarities are then explained in the last part.
Meeting and Greetings in Kenya
The most common greetings, which are used by Kenyans, is the handshake followed by the mention of the word “jambo”. The word “jambo” means hello in Kiswahili language. There are however many details which are used during handshakes depending on the status, age and the gender of the people who are shaking hands at that point. This is because with age, people are seen as respectable and the young ones seen as the kids who need direction and guidance from the aged (Harkness, and Super, 357-370).
When greeting someone who is older than you are, one is not allowed to look at them in the eye; you use your two hands while greeting to show some warmth, respect and agreement in anything.

This case also applies to women while greeting their husbands, in-laws, fathers and other older men in the society. This acts as a way of showing respect, submission and humility. This will, in turn, earn them respect and honour in the given community.
Women friends are also found to hug when greeting each other mainly when they have been away from each other for some time. This is a way of showing warmth and increase the bond between the individuals involved. Men friends just shake hands for longer while maintaining eye contact with a smile on their faces. This act is meant to show that they are in good condition with each other and that there are no bad feelings between each other.
It is also common in Kenya that Muslim young men and young women do not shake hands. This is done in line with the religious, cultural demands of the Muslim religion. It is an Islamic belief that when men and women shake hands, romantic feelings are aroused from the two involved which means that temptation will go up. There is, therefore, the need of making sure that there is reduced hand contact between people who are not married.
After the above greeting procedure is done, it is a norm to ask each other about their family, health and the general status of a person who is being greeted. This will make them know the way each of them is moving on and also to know if there is a problem which needs to be sorted and to make sure that both of them are good. This is meant to help the community share problems and sort them in unity.
Most often, people who are found to skip this procedure of greetings are deemed deficient in culture and manners. These people are usually followed by rhetoric questions, which demands to know the reasons behind their rush and their behaviour.
Women of above 21 years of age are referred to as mama, which means a woman, and a man of above 35 years of age is referred to as a “mzee” which means an elder. The titles mama and “mzee” act as a way of showing formal respect for the persons. In addition to this, children refer to people of mid-age as aunt and uncle even if they have no biological relationship at all. This is a form of showing respect for those older than you are in the society.
Greeting and meeting culture in China.
In China, people are greeted formally, which is started by the oldest person in the group, which is being hailed. This is a way of showing respect and recognition for the aged. This is a way of showing that in China, there is increasing respect and social status with age and thus people respect the age factor in the society.
Handshakes are typically applied to strangers. This is a way of making sure that there are security and respect. This is because if you bring someone strange close to your body, he or she can use a weapon to injure you easily. This is, therefore, a way of showing how Chinese love taking care of their of their lives against others and carelessness.
Many Chinese looks towards the ground while greeting others. This is a way of showing humility and respect for each other. This means that the Chinese love showing humility while greeting each other especially when they are in good terms with each other. This will then make them develop their friendship and also to know when things are good or bad for them.
In addressing themselves during greetings, they use the surname and the title to address each other. If they like you to move to the first name, they will advise you on which name to use. This is a form of showing respect and honour for the person addressed. In case you address them by their first names directly without waiting for their advice to do so, you will be viewed as a demeaning person, which will make you be seen as a weak person culturally.
Chinese are also found to possess a unique sense of humour. This is seen where sometimes they are found to lough on themselves especially when they have a comforting relationship. This means that when one greets a Chinese, and he or she starts to laugh on him or herself, it will mean that they are comfortable with you and not mocking as it can be deemed in Kenya.
Comparison between the two greeting cultures
This part entails the differences and similarities, which can be seen from the two cultures discussed above. The following are the differences and similarities.
Difference between Kenyan Greeting culture and the Chinese culture
Kenya China
People don’t laugh at themselves when they are comfortable relationship. People laugh at themselves when they have a comfortable relationship.
Most greeting style used in Kenya is handshake Handshake is common amongst strangers
It does not make difference in Kenya if you use one’s first name or surname. In China, it is expected that use the surname while addressing someone unless advised otherwise.
Similarities between Kenyan greeting culture
Kenya China
Kenyans show hornour and that they are caring towards the people older than them Chinese also show respect for the old.
Kenyans look down while greeting to show humility Chinese look towards the ground when greeting to show humility
Kenyans apply handshake a one way of greeting Chinese also apply the handshake as one way of greeting

Work Cited
Harkness, Sara, and Charles M. Super. “The ties that bind: Social networks of men and women Sin a Kipsigis community of Kenya.” Ethos 29.3 (2001): 357-370.