# What's "politically correct/incorrect" in non-Western cultures? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 31, 2016, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773 "2016-03-31T19:09:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2016, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/1 "2016-03-31T19:09:22Z")
With all the debate about “PC” in the West, I wanted to explore - What’s “politically correct/incorrect” in **non** -Western cultures? In China, for instance, vocal support of Taiwan independence or Tibetan independence is politically incorrect; same for criticism of the Party. In Russia, criticism of the annexation of Crimea, or support of Chechen independence is also probably politically incorrect. I understand that criticism of Putin is also…frowned upon. In certain regions of the Arab world, vocal support of Israel or the Jews will probably land you in trouble. Thailand has penalties for people who are disrespectful to Buddha. As for North Korea, the list of potential speech offenses is too long to list. What about Africa? Pacific island nations? India? Venezuela? Etc. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2016, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/2 "2016-03-31T19:15:20Z")
I’m concerned that in some of the examples you give of “political incorrectness” are things which would actually land you in some trouble with the state. Whereas things which are considered “politically incorrect” in, say, the US or Canada or the UK, aren’t the kind of thing that get you sanctioned officially in some way. You might be comparing apples and oranges. Political correctness as a term in “the West”, in general, seems to be speech that is socially acceptable or unacceptable for which individuals respond. Not speech that is “…frowned upon.”, hint hint, or which has official penalties attached. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2016, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/3 "2016-03-31T19:17:40Z")
I think the whole concept of political correctness is a Western thing. The Chinese and Russian examples you cite aren’t the same thing at all. Political incorrectness has nothing to do with attacking one’s government for its policies, it’s a social thing. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/4 "2016-03-31T19:20:48Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > In certain regions of the Arab world, vocal support of Israel or the Jews will probably land you in trouble. And in much of Israeli society, it’s verboten to talk about the occupation or to sympathize with the plight of Palestinians. In large parts of Indian society, it’s considered _de rigeur_ to accept that the “essential” or “true” nature of India as a cultural or ethnic identity is Hindu (specifically, conservative caste Hinduism). IME it’s a fairly common French attitude that French culture and thought favor rationality while the Anglophone/Germanic cultures prefer romanticism. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2016, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/5 "2016-03-31T19:27:28Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > IME it’s a fairly common French attitude that French culture and thought favor rationality while the Anglophone/Germanic cultures prefer romanticism. Ah…? I’d always thought it was the other way around. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2016, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/6 "2016-03-31T19:30:55Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > IME it’s a fairly common French attitude that French culture and thought favor rationality while the Anglophone/Germanic cultures prefer romanticism. Is that so? So completely opposite in how North Americans view them in contrast to the more stoic Germans and Brits. Interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2016, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/7 "2016-03-31T19:35:58Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Ah…? I’d always thought it was the other way around. Yup, the Anglo cultures think of the French and other “Latin” cultures as all emotional and _“zut alors!”_ and _“vive l’amour!”_ and kiss-you-on-both-cheeks, while they themselves are reserved and inexpressive and stoical. But the French think of themselves (and, to a lesser extent, other “Latin” cultures) as maintaining a clear-eyed cynical rationalism as part of their classical and Enlightenment heritage, while those foggy-headed Anglos and Teutons are all about the sentimental idealization of children and women and dogs and _Heimweh_ and _“Briiiiiitons nevernevernever shall. Be. Slaves”_, etc. etc. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/8 "2016-03-31T19:43:22Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > But the French think of themselves (and, to a lesser extent, other “Latin” cultures) as maintaining a clear-eyed cynical rationalism as part of their classical and Enlightenment heritage, while those foggy-headed Anglos and Teutons are all about the sentimental idealization of children and women and dogs and _Heimweh_ and _“Briiiiiitons nevernevernever shall. Be. Slaves”_, etc. etc. The French: Often wrong but never in doubt. ---
**Author:** ![john\_b\_2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@john\_b\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/john_b_2)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2016, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/9 "2016-03-31T20:54:39Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Yup, the Anglo cultures think of the French and other “Latin” cultures as all emotional and _“zut alors!”_ and _“vive l’amour!”_ and kiss-you-on-both-cheeks, while they themselves are reserved and inexpressive and stoical. > > But the French think of themselves (and, to a lesser extent, other “Latin” cultures) as maintaining a clear-eyed cynical rationalism as part of their classical and Enlightenment heritage, while those foggy-headed Anglos and Teutons are all about the sentimental idealization of children and women and dogs and _Heimweh_ and _“Briiiiiitons nevernevernever shall. Be. Slaves”_, etc. etc. Yes, the French are (somewhat ironically) rather Nietzschean about themselves, by which I mean they view themselves, as a nation, as the embodiment of the Good European ideals Nietzsche espoused, and I think there’s some truth in that. The French also seem, to me, relatively free of the stern either/or Calvinism of the North, to which I should add America as well. They can be formal to a fault, but they don’t moralize over every damned thing under the sun as we (Americans) so often do. The Brits and the Germans are similar. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2016, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/10 "2016-04-01T16:08:53Z")
> [@Revenant\_Threshold](#): > > I’m concerned that in some of the examples you give of “political incorrectness” are things which would actually land you in some trouble with the state. Whereas things which are considered “politically incorrect” in, say, the US or Canada or the UK, aren’t the kind of thing that get you sanctioned officially in some way. But in China, supporting Taiwan or Tibetan independence will not only incur a backlash from the government, but from most Chinese people themselves as well. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2016, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/11 "2016-04-01T16:39:07Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > But in China, supporting Taiwan or Tibetan independence will not only incur a backlash from the government, but from most Chinese people themselves as well. Somehow this feels different than supporting the Washington Redskins. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/12 "2016-04-01T17:40:14Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > But in China, supporting Taiwan or Tibetan independence will not only incur a backlash from the government, but from most Chinese people themselves as well. To that I would say that those two things are going to interact, and so make comparisons at the least inadvisable. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/13 "2016-04-02T02:01:26Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Thailand has penalties for people who are disrespectful to Buddha. That’s no more political correctness than refraining from fraud or murder. It’s just the law. I don’t think the concept of “political correctness” is understood at all in Thailand or many other countries over here. Discrimination is pretty much taken as the natural course of things. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/14 "2016-04-02T02:20:50Z")
What Siam Sam said. Thai’s are openly racist, looking down on Burmese and Cambodians, Bangkok people are racist against Isan people (poorest region of Thailand) and all Thai’s are openly racist against Sub-Saharan africans. Japan and Korea are even worse. Black face is still acceptable on tv in korea with korean comedians dressing up in blackface even with big lips. My friends who speak fluent Japanese and have been living in Japan for years constantly get remarks about “stupid gaijin” muttered towards them in Japanese (of course they also think all Gaijin are too stupid to learn Japanese and are totally shocked if they reply in Japanese). The Chinese are racist against all other Asian, Japanese against Koreans, Koreans against Japanese. The entire concept of political correctness would be met with confusion in most of asia, being racist towards other nationalities is just taken as an extension of patriotism. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/15 "2016-04-02T02:34:21Z")
The closest I can think of off the top of my head (besides the “Asia is casually racist to everyone” thing already mentioned) is that in many parts of the world, it’s just taken as read there’s a clear delineation between “Men’s Work” and “Women’s Work”. Suggesting that women might be capable of running a multinational bank, or that it’s OK for a man to stay at home to raise the kids while his wife works, would be seen as a rather unorthodox idea. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/16 "2016-04-02T02:39:33Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > The Chinese are racist against all other Asian, Japanese against Koreans, Koreans against Japanese. The entire concept of political correctness would be met with confusion in most of asia, being racist towards other nationalities is just taken as an extension of patriotism. I picked up fairly quickly that the Philippines has very little love for Japan or China and apparently both are regularly adding to the list of reasons that the Phillipines would like both of them to go away. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/17 "2016-04-02T03:09:01Z")
An even more blatant example. I’m currently looking to hire a programmer and I’m considering hiring a candidate from Myanmar. The recruiting company warned me that many Thai’s don’t like to work as equals with people from Myanmar. They are used to seeing them as cleaners or manual labourers. Hiring someone from Myanmar to work alongside them as an equal may cause resentment or even some of them to quit. Probably not with the existing Thai staff I have but it’s something I have to be aware of. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/18 "2016-04-02T05:39:58Z")
And to give an example of **coremelt’s** mention of racism toward the poor northeastern Thais, I personally know of one maid from the Northeast, a maid in Chulalongkorn University’s College of Public Health – a place you’d think would be at least relatively enlightened – a maid who was legally married mind you, who once ran afoul of the college bigwigs by daring to – Gasp! – get pregnant without asking permission from her employers. To the college’s mind, this was just what you’d expect from those lowly Isaan (Northeast) people. ---
**Author:** ![simple\_homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/19 "2016-04-02T12:03:06Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > I picked up fairly quickly that the Philippines has very little love for Japan or China and apparently both are regularly adding to the list of reasons that the Phillipines would like both of them to go away. I recently spent 6 weeks in Vietnam, and many people there told me of their hatred of China. The first issue is that they feel that China is dumping a lot of its tainted and polluted food in Vietnam. The other issue is about the many islands that China is trying to claim in Southeast Asia. I work with several Filipinos, and they also have very little love for China because they feel as though they are being bullied regarding the islands. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773/20 "2016-04-02T13:02:56Z")
So whats it like in Africa? Obviously we have the famous example of the Tutsis and Hutus, but in general are most ethnic groups in Africa racist against other african ethnic groups? I know we have a few dopers living / working in Africa. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773.md?page=2)