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Some thoughts from the Taiwanese.
Here it is more telling regarding the influence of the West in TaiwanChina has culture? China has Chinese Culture? By a tautology, yes"¦but..
In Taiwan most traditional culture has survived primarily intact. Holidays, religious beliefs...etc...People generally have a good understanding of traditional literature...etc. Generally these things are considered a part of normal life.
In China most people have no clue. They think that Dragon Boating is a traditional activity for every Chinese holiday. Many have no idea about the meaning or rights behind any what we might consider "traditional" Chinese holidays like Ching Ming, (now that it has been resurrected). Many of the "traditional" activities for weddings, births, deaths don't exist. They don't know how to pray at a temple, (though now a days they are trying again). They think it is really weird to have a company bai bai like one might in Taiwan. They generally won't understand any Classical Chinese or Classical references. I've been told that Classical Chinese uses, "incorrect" characters.
General politeness and manners is much more common in Taiwan. Serving other people to a high level of quality is not considered as demeaning.
Chalk & cheese if you asked me"¦
One stark difference is that Taiwanese nationalism, if you want to call it that, began in opposition to the oppression of the government here, whereas in China it is blooming in opposition to the west. Taiwanese don't have a massive chip on their shoulders about the Opium Wars which makes them a whole lot easier to be friends with.
FORUMOSA • Taiwan vs. Mainland China CultureChina is a big country and its culture varies a lot from place to place, even among the Han. Taiwanese people's ancestors migrated mostly from southern Fujian and, to a lesser extent, from Hakka-speaking areas of Guangdong. So the Taiwanese variant of Chinese culture is basically Fujianese. Besides, Japan occupied the island for 50 years and tried very hard to assimilate its people, so naturally Japanese culture has left its mark, despite the Kuomintang's efforts to get rid of it. There were also the lowland aborigines, who have been entirely assimilated with the Hans. Since they were quite a significant part of the population, one would expect that they have influenced the culture to some extent. As you know, there are still unassimilated Aborigine tribes who, to varying extents, maintain their own culture, quite different from that of the Han people.
