In China, families of top students share a common trait: they tend to be relatively quiet. When the parents of a top student meet with teachers, they usually listen quietly and communicate calmly. They mainly listen to what the teacher has to say. On the other hand, families of underperforming students, if their child’s grades are not very good, tend to vent their frustrations, criticize their children, and talk about how difficult their lives are. It’s often hard for teachers to get a word in. If both parents come together, it can even feel quite noisy, as both try to voice their opinions and emphasize how hard their lives are.