Although I'm from the UK, I lived in China for 15 years, teach a large number of Chinese students, and even have a Chinese girlfriend. In this episode, I share some of my thoughts on the main differences I've noticed between the two cultures. These affect the way we approach education, the way we interact with our friends, and even how we eat our food and choose what to wear.
So what do you think? Do you agree with me? Are there any other differences that you've noticed? I'd love to read your comments.

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Cultural Differences between the UK and China

روزی ز سر سنگ عقابی به هوا خاست
واندر طلب طعمه پر و بال بياراست

بر راستی بال نظر کرد و چنين گفت
امروز همه روی زمین زير پر ماست

بـر اوج فلک چون بپرم از نظـر تــيز
می‌بينم اگر ذره‌ای اندر ته درياست

گر بر سر خـاشاک يکی پشه بجنبد
جنبيدن آن پشه عيان در نظر ماست

بسيار منی کـرد و ز تقدير نترسيد
بنگر که ازين چرخ جفا پيشه چه برخاست

ناگـه ز کـمينگاه يکی سـخت کمانی
تيری ز قضا و قدر انداخت بر او راست

بـر بـال عـقاب آمـد آن تير جـگر دوز
وز ابر مر او را به سوی خاک فرو کاست

بر خـاک بيفتاد و بغلـتيد چو ماهی
وانگاه پر خويش گشاد از چپ و از راست

گفتا عجب است اينکه ز چوب است و ز آهن
اين تيزی و تندی و پريدن ز کجا خاست؟

چون نیک نگه‌کرد و پر خويش بر او ديد
گفتا ز که ناليم که از ماست که بر ماست

Persian Poetry

روزی ز سر سنگ عقابی به هوا خاست، ناصر خسرو

a moral from Shahname, written by the famous Persian poet and philosopher Ferdowsi. 

سپهری بر این‌سان که بینی روان
the flowing universe you see
  توانا و دانا جز او را مخوان
call only that almighty and all wise 
    تو رازِ جَهان تا توانی مجوی
don't search for the secret of the world
      که او زود پیچد ز جوینده روی
that it will quickly turn its back to the seeker
        به داد و دِهِش دلْ توان‌گر کنید
empower yourselves with justice and generosity 
          بر آزادگی بر سرْ افسر کنید
and make it your crown as a liberal 
             که فرجام هم روزمان بگذرد
that eventually our days will be over
              زمانه پی ما همی‌بشمرد
the universe is counting (the days) for us

حکمت شاهنامه (1)

آن روز که مرکب فلک زین کردند

آرایش مشتری و پروین کردند

این بود نصیب ما زدیوان قضا

ما را چه گنه قسمت ما این کردند

 I tell You this -- When, starting from the Goal,
        Over the shoulders of the flaming Foal
        Of Heav'n Parwin and Mushtari they flung,
        In my predestin'd Plot of Dust and Soul.


قسمت = fate


آن روز که مرکب فلک زین کردند

Shapes of all sorts and sizes, great and small,	      
That stood along the floor and by the wall;	
  And some loquacious vessels were, and some	
Listened, perhaps, but never talked at all.

در کارگه کوزه گری رفتم دوش

"Why?" said another. "Some there are who tell 
"Of one who threatens be will loss to hell
"The luckless pots be married in making pish!
He's a good fellow, and will all be well."

گویند به حشر گفتگو خواهد بود

Ah, with the Grape my fading Life provide,
And wash my Body whence the Life has died,
And in the Windingsheet of Vine-leaf wrapt,
So bury me by some sweet Garden-side.

چون درگذرم به باده شویید مرا

That even my buried Ashes such a snare
Of Vintage shall fling up into the Air
As not a True-believer passing by
But shall be overtaken unaware.

چندان بخورم شراب 

Indeed the Idols I have loved so long, have done my credit in this World much wrong; have drowned my Glory in a shallow Cup, and sold my Reputation for a Song.