The Occidental Perspective

One of the more common principles that distinguishes western and eastern cultures is how the different societies regard the individual. Westerners are programmed to express their individuality, whereas Asians are reared to approach themselves through a collective mentality.

A Chinese artist living in Germany created a series of visual images to juxtapose the western and occidental view points. Below are some of the choice ones that I've witnessed firsthand.

Cutting the Line

Customer service agents here in Vietnam have their work cut out for them. Rather than queuing in an orderly fashion and waiting your turn, the general tactic is to crash the desk and fight the crowd. From boarding airlines to paying your electric bill, it's a free-for-all mentality.
Friend request

While the advent of online social networking has created a bird's nest out of our Rolodexes, we westerners typically have linear relationships developed through individual connections. But here in Asia, people are so interconnected through the familial network that things end up evolving into an incestuous circle of social and professional contacts. Watch out. That girl just might be the bosses daughter.
Hello Garconne

One thing the French didn't leave behind is their restaurant etiquette. To get a waiter's/waitress' attention here in Vietnam, you just yell "em oi" ("em" is the personal pronoun to refer to someone younger than you; "em" is replaced with the appropriate pronoun for whomever you are addressing). It's a jolting experience your first time out, and I still hate doing it. However, if you want that second round, you gotta use your lungs.
SPF

Pale skin as a sign of nobility and wealth died after the advent of the bikini -- what good is a little body floss if you're gonna stay indoors? Most westerners not only find bronzed skin to be more appealing but a good tan often signifies that you've been out on the yacht or toiling away at the beach, living the good life in other words. However, Asians love their Victorian complexion and often bring their parasols to the shore.