Do you ask a person from a certain country some questions then consider his or her answer as a general situation in that country?

I did!!

 

Since studying abroad, I have been asked or heard someone being asked: "What is the situation in your coumtry?"

As we all know, even in the same country, people still have diverse opinions about the same issue.  When I got this sort of question, I tried to tell them, firstly, the probable general stiuation is so and so, and, secondly, my opinion is bala-bala.....

 

However, I almost forget the so-called general situation is still in my opinion without any statistics, which also contains risk and bias; if I'd like to make the conversation smoothly and briefly, I always make "general" opinions and my viewpoint in balance.  Moreover, people in Western countries have some difficulties to identify the differences between Taiwan and China.  Therefore, many people just ask me the situation in China, and then I should tell them firstly I am from Taiwan and the situation in Taiwan and that in China are different.  Afterwards, I still only tell them Taiwanese situation.  BUT I cannot guarantee that people don't imagine the situation in China may be similar to that in Taiwan.

 

Moreover, I have some friends also from Taiwan.  When we discuss some topics with other friends, some of them tend to present their own ideas in this way: "People in Taiwan think ......"!!

In my mind, I almost shout: "Wait a minute!!  It is your own idea, not every Taiwanese's! At least, my point of view is fairly different from yours."  To be polite, I usually only comment that, "Well.... I suppose that many people have different opinions in this issue."

 

NEXT time, please asnwer this sort of questions in very careful way to show personal opinion!!  And listen to this kind of answer with caution as well: it may only one person's opinion NOT general idea!!