The cultural differences between East and West have been the subject of dissertations, drawings and dramas. In our youth-obsessed culture, we don't generally use terminology that makes ourselves sound older. But from a chinese point of view, such language makes perfect sense. In fact, it might even contain a whiff of vanity. That would be an insult.
Age is equated with wisdom.
To several generations of students, Huang's name is associated with the wisdom of the ages. For the past 35 years, he has been in the forefront of bringing traditional Eastern ideas to the West. He finds the three traditions to be highly complementary. Chungliang Al Huang's life has been influenced by entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. and philosopher Alan Watts. Confucianism is a more pragmatic way of dealing with human relationships.