Definition & Meaning of "East is East, (and) West is West"

east is east, (and) west is west

used to suggest that there are certain inherent differences between two things or groups of people that cannot be overcome or reconciled

Proverb

What is the origin of the proverb "East is East, West is West" and when to use it?

The origin of the proverb "East is East, West is West" comes from Rudyard Kipling's poem 'The Ballad of East and West,' published in 1889. The full line in the poem is "East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet." Kipling's poem reflects the idea that people from the East and West, despite being part of the same world, have fundamentally different cultures, values, and ways of life. The proverb conveys the message that there are deep cultural, philosophical, or geographical differences between regions or groups, and these differences can be difficult to bridge. It is often used to emphasize the separation or distinctiveness of different cultures or ways of thinking, with the implication that such differences may never be fully reconciled.

Example

The businessman learned that East is East, West is West when he tried to negotiate with a client from a different culture, and realized that his usual tactics were not effective.