Despite the tension in US-China relations, the “praise culture” of Americans is becoming increasingly popular among young people in China, despite the Chinese Communist Party often stirring up anti-American sentiments with the help of its nationalist supporters.
Praise is a way of life for Americans. Encouragement and praise have always been key elements in how Americans educate their children, fostering self-confidence. In contrast, Chinese parents often refrain from praising their children, fearing it may lead to arrogance and complacency.
An article by JSTOR Daily once discussed the culture of praise in America. It stated that in most social settings, when everyone feels good about themselves, things tend to run more smoothly, and conflicts are reduced. Praise is seen as a clear way in American English to express unity, cooperation, friendliness, and goodwill. In a culture that values individualism and hard work, rewarding personal performance through the attention of others can be a highly effective motivator.
Praise culture was initially unfamiliar in China and East Asia, where humility was seen as a virtue demonstrated through the avoidance of praise.
However, for the increasingly stressed young generation in China, this culture has garnered attention. There are now groups across China dedicated to seeking and offering praise, encouragement, and appreciation. Such praise often comes from strangers, giving rise to what is known as the “praise culture.”
According to The Washington Post, Chloe Sheng, a fashion and travel blogger from Shanghai, believes that praise shouldn’t be reserved for special occasions but should be a daily experience. Known as “Dare Girl” on social media, she has 1.6 million followers.
One day in 2016, while wearing a red coat on the streets of New York, she received numerous positive comments, which surprised her. “I didn’t feel that great originally, but after hearing those praises, I thought, ‘Wow, am I really that great?'”
Thus, with a mission in mind, “Dare Girl” returned to China to make her store and art space a place where people can spontaneously experience good times.
“Why let ourselves be burdened by jealousy and self-doubt when we can tell ourselves and those around us that we are great?” she said.
After decades of social upheaval and economic hardship in China, people were once preoccupied with standing out and paid little attention to such trivial matters. However, the current middle class, especially the younger generation, has gradually shifted from rejecting to accepting praise. Some scholars attribute this change to the influence of “Westernization”, particularly through mass media and interactions with native English speakers.
Short videos related to the “praise culture” on platforms like Douyin have resonated with a large number of users. In a highly popular video, a Chinese mother in New York questions how her first-grade daughter can improve at a school meeting, only to be assured by the principal that her daughter is the “best child in the world.”
On Douban, a group with over 170,000 members actively seek praise for their “feats”, whether it’s creating swan-shaped ice cream cakes or winning board games repeatedly.
The online trend has led to offline events like “praise parties” at cafes and bars, with one such event held in a suburb of Chongqing, bringing strangers together to praise each other.
This “praise culture” is just one aspect of American life that Yang Ying, a recent university graduate, is looking forward to experiencing as she prepares to pursue a doctoral degree in the United States starting this fall.