It's a matter of whether you see the self as fundamentally in relationship to other selves or not - whether you see the boundary between self and the world as relatively permeable, which makes you "interdependent" (collectivist) in outlook, or relatively impermeable, which makes you "independent" (individualistic).
Gish JenThe independents are the ones who tend to commit suicide. I'm not against this way of being in the world. Individuals have brought us many treasures. You can't just say that's a bad way of being in the world - it's not. But it's not everyone's way of being in the world.
Gish JenChinese language tends to be quick, economical. To know what people are saying, you always need to know what the context is.
Gish JenA white person was by definition somebody. Other people needed, across their hearts, one steel rib.
Gish Jen