Now about the exhibitionistic streak. Chinese people are known to generally keep a low profile and are not adept at presenting themselves. The act of dancing in public without being asked for it simply runs counter to that age-old perception. If you randomly pick a Chinese student and an American student to speak in a classroom, chances are the Chinese will not do as well. It is indeed something in our collective cultural genes. In China, the majority Han population will lose hands-down when competing in singing and dancing with the ethnic groups. Is this stereotyping or racial profiling? I don't know. One should not apply it to an individual, but inside China the point is largely accepted.

We should not forget that China is also a nation of karaoke. If you ramble through the innards of a palatial karaoke catacomb, you'll come to the conclusion this is a nation of showoffs, even when no tangible vocal talent is detectable. Why make a fool of yourself in front of others when you can do it in the shower?

You may think this is a Chinese conundrum, but it may be simpler than you think. Yes, there are introverts and extroverts everywhere, and one country may have more of one type than the other. But overall, people need an outlet for self-expression. It is the forms of such expressions that differ from country to country, from era to era. Public displays of affection, for example, used to be taboo in China. Now Chinese people are more accepting of them. Chinese banquets, on the other hand, are often raucous while a formal dinner in the US or Europe tends to be quiet and dignified.

Chinese often show awkwardness at certain social functions. That is because they are thrust into situations unfamiliar to them. If you study the classic Chinese novel, A Dream of Red Mansions, people are glib and know exactly what to say or do. It's just that their way of showing off is to compose extemporaneous poems. And that is not a skill a person of modern times, Chinese or foreign, can easily boast. In another age, the elderly would be either practicing brush calligraphy or having a sewing contest. Being health conscious, they now do fitness regimes that make them feel and look good. As long as their music does not reach those who do not want to be disturbed, I think it is a beautiful sight.

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