On Privacy

My friend, Jessica Cyphers, on the the cultural disparity in views on privacy:

When I moved to Taiwan, I was shocked by people’s lack of concern for privacy. Many families live at the rear of or above their businesses. At night, when the store is closed for the day, they shut their glass doors but often “forget” to pull down their metal screens. Thus, walking along the street at night, you are likely to see “Bà Ba” (pinyin for 爸爸, or “father”) lounging shirtless, brown belly protruding, on his couch watching TV.

It’s an interesting observation, and one which I think is probably pretty accurate. But I also think that she experienced another cultural shift - the small town girl in the big (Asian) city. It is true that suburban and rural American culture is predicated on a desire for privacy. It is also true that western cultures tend to value individualism more than eastern cultures. Put both together and you get the kind of shocking disparity Jessica writes about.

I would also point out that the concept of living above/behind/beside your shop is not new. Nor is it exclusive to Asia. Many small shop owners have lived that life - throughout time and in all places. Most American towns, small and large, had the sort of “merchant class” that housed their families on the same land as their shop up into the 20th century. The fact that seeing this in Asia surprised Jessica speaks to how far we have strayed from the rich, diverse community building humans have practiced for thousands of years.