Cultural Comparison Between China and France

Introduction
From my first step in france 3 months ago, the first thing I could say is that France is facinating and fancy me. I also wonder that france and china are really different countries. In fact, France and China have a different economy, and don’t have the same culture.
The purpose of this report is to compared with the diference between France and China ,since the difference exists in too many aspects.

Culture
Here is a table of basic information of China and France: |French |China | |Area |674,843 Km2 |9,596.960 Km2 | |Population |65 million |1.2 billion | |Capital city |Paris |Beijing | |People |95% French people and 5% people from foreign country |93% Han Chinese and 7% immigrants | |Main language |French |Mandarin | |Major industries |consumption goods,auto industry,machinery and so on. |iron,steel,coal,machinery, textiles and so on. | |Currency |Euro |RenMinbi | |

China geographically vast a land of great diversity,it`s the third largest country.France is a one of bigest country in europ,and about six countries(Belgium,Luxembourg and Germany to the north-east,Switzerland and Italy ascross the Alps to the south-east and Spain Across the pyrenees to the South-west).
On the other hand,I find some very interesting differences,French people brush their teeth after eating breakfast but in China people always brush their teeth when they week up and before they eat breakfast.In China the 1st floor is the ground floor,but In france the 1st floor actually is 2end floor in China.Also in Franch people have dinner late and long,for Chinese people have dinner about 6:00.In resttaurant France people eat their own ordered dishes but for chinese people like share.Two French gril friends don`t hold hands in the street but Chinese two gril if they are good friend they slways hold hands when they walk in street.
Food always play very important roles in chinese and french life.french eat cheese and drink wine.in breakfast french have bread,cereal,yogurt,coffe or hot chocolate,children begin to drink wine during family dinners in their teens.the mean difference between chinese and french are eating habits,in china people like eat rice and noodle.

Traditional festival
Spring festival is the most important troditional featival,it depending Lunar calendar,the date between late january and late february,the chinese New Year is a time of settling all debts and spreading good intentions to family and friends.and it also a special time to remenber members of the family who have died.parents will buy presents,decorations,food,new clothes for their children,on New Year`s Eve decorations made from red and gold paper are hung down the doors to bring good luck.
For French,Christmas is the time to have fun.French people consider Christmas as the time to create memories and cherish them for life,during Christmas all streets ,shops,homes and offices are decorated with lightts,Christmas decorations also include decorating the Christmas tree that it have very important symbolizes creation of God.on a Christmas /eve,children put their shoes by the fireplace.these are to be filled by gifts,and Christmas meals are also important for french,they cook Turkey with chestnuts and wine,but in china people like eat dumplings in spring festival.

Work

Holidy
In China,many people have the impression that paid leave never exists here,Chinese paid leave system firse began in mid 80s,in June 1991,the paid leave system was re-implemented,as provided in “Labor Law of The People`s Republic of China”，laborers having worked cotinuously for more than one year can enjoy paid annul vacation.
France is the birthplace of paid leave system,As early as 1936,the French government made it clear that all people should have the right to enjoy paid each year.workers strike in a fierce way to ensure the implementation of this right.now French have their paid leave up to six weeks a year.France has also been walking in front of other countries carrying on the revolution in reducing the working hours.

Work
For French,they consider their vacation as an unshakable right.they underatand the line between holiday and work are very clearly.When I come to france I find on sunday any shop closed,and almost in summer two-thrid of the shop closed,and some are closed about one month,the owner of this shop are always go to the western beachs of Frence.so it`s difficult to keep in touch with French on vacation,because they don`t want other people bother their holiday.
In China this phenomenon are totaly different,every people go shoping on weekend,during weekend every shop are open,customers are most available for shopind,and the closing time of shop is also more or less flexible depending on customers.People on vacation are supposed to leave their cell phones to can be contacted immdiatedly .

The attitude for foreign country
Chinese are very open about foreign people,they are really intereated for them and they are friendly with them.
French people are more closed,they don`t really accept foreigners,and however it is more and more usual that French are going to another aountey for studying or working and they are interested foreign cultures.

Family
In China from 1978,in order to prevent the population in china,Goverment make a One-child policy,like in my generation,my friends and me are also only child in Family,in general children pay more attention and over peotected.
In French,they have a Negative population groeth and the goverment encourage the family to have more children.so young people is brought up with the habit and the ability of self-governing.

Education
In china basic eduction incloud pre-school eduction,junior middle schooling and senior middle schooling,and pre-school eduction and junior middle schooling are free of charge for every young children.if children want study arts or sport,they can choose to some sepcial school that can tech them arts or sports.people want have higher education in university they must pass college entrance examination,higher eduction comprise of junior college,bechelor,master and doctoral degree programs.
In french basic eduction incloud Ecole primaire,college and lycee(high school).in french they also have college entrance examination,it`s called the baccalaureat and les classes preparatoires.french common higher eduction is universities,les Grand Ecoles,Ecole ingenieur and Academics and Research.

Conclusion
French and China have many differences,but it can not prevent this two country have a good comunication.in many aspects they also have many common points.Next year is Les Annees Chine-France,I hope French and China will have a good relationship.